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Traverse Connect | The Connection – October 22, 2025

Michigan Business Network: Traverse Connect
 

Last Call for the Annual Economic Summit

Traverse Connect’s Annual Economic Summit is just around the corner on Monday, November 3 at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

Start your day building connections at Quick Connect, a B2B networking session designed to help you meet business and community leaders across the Grand Traverse region. While you’re at it, explore the Business Showcase, featuring 20 local companies. Then, the Economic Outlook Luncheon returns with keynote insights from Jeff Guilfoyle, Senior Strategist at Public Sector Consultants, and a regional panel discussion featuring leading employers from northern Michigan.

Thank you to our sponsors: Presenting Fifth Third Bank, Supporting Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Northern Explorer Northwestern Michigan College, Beverage Enbridge & Networks Northwest, Valet Hagerty, Stage Consumers Energy, Quick Connect Continental Breakfast Airbnb & MSUFCU, and Coat Check Accident Fund.

News Roundup

→ We are pleased to join the Community Development Coalition’s Speaker Series – Developing Michigan’s BlueTech Innovation Hub on November 6 to discuss the collaborative approach to grow the state’s BlueTech innovation economy.

→ Traverse Connect published responses to its Traverse City Mayoral and City Commission candidates’ questionnaire on its 2025 City Election page.

→ Come out and celebrate the achievements of Traverse Connect’s member businesses with ribbon cuttings this week: Clark Manufacturing, LLC & AAA – The Auto Group.

What We're Reading

→ Northern Michigan communities missed out on millions of dollars in potential funding from this year’s state budget, with only a handful of requests granted in the final product.


→ East Bay Township trustees voted to establish a corridor improvement authority (CIA) – a type of TIF district – for the township Beach District along US-31. 

→ Traverse City is getting a new film festival! Next spring, Traverse City will host a satellite edition of Marquette’s Fresh Coast Film Festival.

→ Traverse City will soon be home to a first-of-its-kind “national long COVID treatment center” thanks to a partnership between Celly Health and HealthBio Inc. 

→ The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has distributed $334,700 in Community Funds grants to 14 organizations.

→ 20Fathoms and Venture North have announced the recipients of $72,000 in small business grants, benefiting 16 businesses across Northwest Michigan.

→ The Michigan Growth Office and its partners Creative Place Consulting and Studio M Detroit launched a new grant competition for Michigan creatives to showcase their work in the communities they call home.

EVENTS

 
November 3
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
November 6 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
December 8 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
December 10 from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m.
 
 

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