Jeffrey Mosher talks with Laura Oblinger, executive director of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, while attending the 2016 Annual Celebration. This event is where they celebrate the successes of what has happened in the past year and what they anticipate in the upcoming year.
They also use this event to recognize a deserving person, giving The Distinguished Service Award, which went to Chuck Judson this year. The program is only thirty minutes long, and the rest of the evening is used to mix and mingle and enjoy conversation with each other. Laura briefly discusses Traverse CONNECT, the new parent structure for economic development, Venture North, and The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Jeffrey then speaks with Laura Galbraith, executive director of Venture North, an economic development organization that helps finance businesses in the ten county Traverse Bay region. They have financed $2.6 million over the past few years, helping 50 businesses. The Celebration event provides a great opportunity to talk with people and further economic development. It looks liked 2016 will be a great year in the Traverse Bay area.
