Alliance Releases 2025 Annual Report

The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance released its 2025 Annual Report to its member organizations today, summarizing the coalition’s accomplishments. In 2025, Northern Michigan’s business community faced a landscape defined by constant change: evolving labor laws, rising healthcare pressures, shifting trade policy, and federal uncertainty that showed no signs of slowing. Through it all, the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance served as a steady, trusted voice, helping businesses across the region move forward with clarity and confidence.

→ Local leaders worry that site cuts made to this year’s upcoming Census Test could lead to negative impacts for Northwest Michigan communities.

→ Please join us for the first Economic Strategy Session of 2026 to discuss future-focused education and how workforce training can help your business adapt through change.

→ Come out and celebrate the achievements of Traverse Connect’s member businesses with ribbon cuttings in the coming weeks: Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, PLC. 

→ Military leaders, defense manufacturers, and technology providers gathered for the Northern Michigan Defense Conference to strengthen the region’s position in the national defense supply chain.

→ According to the defense conference presenters, other Michigan business sectors – from construction firms to utilities to telecommunications providers – also benefit from the country’s military investments.

→ The Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority approved a new strategic plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year with six focus areas to strengthen the district’s economic base.

→ A consulting firm will begin working to create a new community development office following action by the Grand Traverse County Economic Development Corp.

→ City commissioners got a detailed look Monday night at final designs for Rotary Square, a downtown park nearly three decades in the making along the Boardman River.

→ Traverse City Area Public Schools approved a construction bid of more than $17 million for a new After-School Clubhouse and Multi-Purpose Fieldhouse.

→ The Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities announced that longtime member of the Groundwork team, Jim Bruckbauer, will take the reins as the organization’s first-ever CEO.

March 18 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. March 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

April 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. April 22 from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m.

May 4 & 5 (all day) May 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Leadership Grand Traverse cohort for graduating earlier this month! We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see the impact you continue to make. Thank you to our supporters, mentors, families, and community partners who make this program possible year after year.