Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce April 2014 newsletter.
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Issue #21 April 2014 Photo by David Archambeau Inside This Issue Returning/New Chamber Members 3 Keweenaw NHP Tourism Creates $10 Million in Local Economic Benefit Part of $26.75 billion impact that supports 242,000 jobs nationwide Calculations based on a new National Park Service (NPS) report for 2012 show that approximately 240,000 total visitors to Keweenaw National Historical Park (NHP) and Our Superior Partners. Thank You! Chamber Board of Directors 3 Who’s Hiring 5 Unemployment Rate Drops 6 Finlandia Athletic Expansion 7 Dianda / Education 8 Eggs & Issues / Mind Trekkers 9 Brochures Needed 11 Grant Catalog Available 13 MI Chamber on Trespasser Lawsuit 15 Keweenaw Job Fair 17 Business Events Calendar 18-19 Proud Member of visitors to Keweenaw National Historical Park (NHP) and park partner sites spent approximately $10,000,000 in communities throughout Upper Michigan’s Copper Country. This spending supported about 95 jobs in the area. In addition to visitor spending, the park’s federal budget and project funding in 2012 contributed approximately $3,000,000 and over 20 jobs into the economy. “Keweenaw National Historical Park is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Mike Pflaum. We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides and to use the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy—returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service—and it is a big factor in our local economy as well. Continued on page 13
Transcript
Issue #21 April 2014
Photo by David Archambeau
Inside This Issue
Returning/New Chamber Members 3
Keweenaw NHP Tourism Creates $10
Million in Local Economic BenefitPart of $26.75 billion impact that supports 242,000 jobs nationwide
Calculations based on a new National Park Service (NPS) report for 2012 show that approximately 240,000 total visitors to Keweenaw National Historical Park (NHP) and
Our Superior Partners. Thank You!
Returning/New Chamber Members 3Chamber Board of Directors 3Who’s Hiring 5 Unemployment Rate Drops 6Finlandia Athletic Expansion 7 Dianda / Education 8Eggs & Issues / Mind Trekkers 9 Brochures Needed 11Grant Catalog Available 13MI Chamber on Trespasser Lawsuit 15Keweenaw Job Fair 17Business Events Calendar 18-19
Proud Member of
visitors to Keweenaw National Historical Park (NHP) and park partner sites spent approximately $10,000,000 in communities throughout Upper Michigan’s Copper Country. This spending supported about 95 jobs in the area.
In addition to visitor spending, the park’s federal budget and project funding in 2012 contributed approximately $3,000,000 and over 20 jobs into the economy.
“Keweenaw National Historical Park is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Mike Pflaum. We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides and to use the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy—returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service—and it is a big factor in our local economy as well.
PO Box 299Hancock, MI 49930906.523.5920www.PHFgive.org (coming soon)[email protected]**We are hosting a Business After Hours on April 16th from 5-
7 pm – come and join us!
Welcome New,
Community Partners!
Keweenaw Young ProfessionalsJessie Brassard1045 W. Quincy StreetHancock, MI [email protected]
Continued on page 5
4 Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Are you or someone you
know looking for work?
The Keweenaw Chamber is looking for an Executive Director. Resumes are being accepted until April 15th please submit by email to [email protected] or to PO Box 336, Houghton, MI 49931
McDonalds has openings. Apply at the restaurant located at 1300 Memorial Drive, Houghton.
Michigan Tech University is looking for a Catering Manager. Job description and application process can be found at http://www.mtu.edu/hr/job-postings/
Cypress Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center has openings for a CNA, LPN and RN. Please see them at 1400 Poplar Street, Hancock for more information and an
Thrivent FinancialRoss Rinkinen507 Shelden AvenueHoughton, MI 49931906.523.5387 FAX [email protected]/fr/ross.rinkinen
Your Crazy PlacePeg Kauppi520 Shelden AvenueHoughton, MI 49931906.482.2799 (CRZY)
Keweenaw .org 5
Hancock for more information and an application.
Portage Health is looking for an Elder Associate. Apply online at portagehealth.org
The Ambassador has an opening for a part-time bartender. Please apply at the restaurant.
We are looking for photos, business news, new hires, open positions or any update information about your business, to use in our newsletters. If you have photos or stories you’d like to share, send them to [email protected]. Please include who took the photo an the area it was taken or wrote the up the so we can give proper credit. Thanks!
Charter CommunicationsFamily Chiropractic CenterGoodwill Industries of Northern WI and Upper MI, Inc.
Workforce DevelopmentLeveque AgencyMcGann Building SupplyMine Shaft and Rock House Grill and TavernOnairvoices.comPeninsula Copper IndustriesSemco EnergyThe Tire Shop
6 Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
MI unemployment rate drops to
7.8 percent, lowest since May
2008
Michigan’s unemployment rate in January fell by
a half percentage point to 7.8 percent, down from
8.3 percent in December, according to data by the
Michigan Department of Technology,
Management & Budget. Total employment rose
by 32,000 over the month and the number of
unemployed declined by 20,000. The state’s labor
force increased by 11,000 in January.
“Today’s news is another indicator of a more
competitive, business-friendly climate that is
encouraging businesses to invest and create new
jobs in our state,” Michigan Economic
Finlandia to Launch Football as
part of 7-year Athletics Expansion
Finlandia University is taking another important step toward a campus growth agenda by announcing a search for a head football coach to lead off a series of new NCAA Division III sport offerings at the Hancock campus. The expansion of NCAA Division III Athletics is an integral component of an emerging 7-year Strategic Plan at Finlandia University. The University is making a commitment to launch 7new NCAA Division III sportsprograms over the next sevenyears as part of implementingits new strategic plan. Thesearch for a head football coach will serve as the lead action.The football coach hire also belongs to a larger commitment to secure affiliation in an established NCAA Division III athletics conference. Finlandia’sadministration believes general affiliation in an established athletics conference is necessary for offering the academic and athletic benefits its student-athletes deserve.
Keweenaw.org 7
jobs in our state,” Michigan Economic
Development Corporation President and CEO
Michael A. Finney said. “Lower business taxes,
eliminating red tape, focusing on talent,
and innovative economic development tools have
increased opportunities for both Michigan
businesses and our world-class workforce.”
Michigan’s January jobless rate was the lowest for
the state since the 7.6 percent rate recorded in
May 2008. From January 2013 to January 2014,
total employment in Michigan increased by
52,000 or 1.2 percent, and the number of
unemployed in the state fell by 50,000 or 12
percent. Payroll jobs increased by 37,000 or 0.9
percent over the same period, led by growth in
manufacturing (+17,000), professional and
business services (+14,000) and trade,
transportation and utilities (+9,000).
student-athletes deserve. A window of opportunity for application the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), soon may be opening according the Finlandia Director of Athletics, Chris Salani.“As we’ve worked with the UMAC Conference Officers over the last several years in efforts to gain general conference affiliation, the Conference more recently has identified their own strategic plans which will allow Finlandia to strategically align our new sport offerings to that of the Conference’s membership criterion. Our long term planning and now execution of, and in concert with the UMAC’s growth model, presents the perfect opportunity for us to become a viable member of the regional conference.”Building on the past and planned new investments in Campus growth, Finlandia aims to achieve new levels of enrollment growth, quality and diversity. NCAA Divison III program growth is crucial for achieving these goals that, in turn, serve a deeper purpose. On a mission-driven level, Finlandia seeks to offer programs, services, co-curricular, and
Continued on page 7
Finlandia continued from page 6
extra-curricular experiences to accompany the whole student toward a whole life; advancing relationship-driven, holistic, and transformative higher education for a growing number of men and women from the Upper Peninsula and beyond. This plan calls for Finlandia to achieve historic levels of matriculation, quality, and diversity as an extension of past and continuing investments in campus and enrollment growth. As Finlandia President Philip Johnson stated, “I am convinced that growing our NCAA Division III programs reaps benefits for all our students, our entire Campus community. It is good for all of Finlandia. It is good for the Copper Country. It is good for the Upper Peninsula. So let’s do some good.” Applications are currently being accepted for the head football coach position, with a preference given to those received by March 24th. Finlandia’sgoal is to have the hiring process completed by mid-April. The initial year of the football program will include the development of structural and
Dianda continued
have lost over the past three years has made it difficult for them,” said Dianda. “Under this plan, I’m afraid that small rural schools could disappear. We don’t know that a for-profit company couldn’t come in and takeover and merge smaller schools. That’s not good for school districts like mine.”Legislative Republicans began this takeover model with the Education Achievement Authority (EAA), which has run 15 schools in Detroit with disastrous results. Now that State Superintendent Michael Flanagan has ended the state’s exclusive contract with the EAA, any number of entities can emerge under the State School Reform/Redesign District, operating as many as 50 schools. It’s unclear whether these entities will have a board that is accountable to the public or subject to the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act."People want their school board to be made up of members of their community and accountable to parents,” said Dianda. “But this bill strips local control and it doesn’t appear that these school officials will be accountable to parents and community members. That’s not the way we should run our local public schools.”HB 4369 prioritizes schools with students in grades K-8, putting the focus on where for-profit charter schools can make the most money. The bill is unclear on how a school is supposed to leave the reform district if performance
8 Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
include the development of structural and operating elements of the program, its first two official recruiting classes, and an allowable spring practice in 2015. With a roster target of 70 by the fall of 2015, the Lions will begin Varsity competition. “We’re excited,” stated Salani. “This has been our goal since the first Phase of development began with McAfee Field. And now, in Phase II, we are seeing all of our efforts and planning come to fruition.”
Rep. Dianda Decries Expansion
of For-Profit Education in
MichiganState Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) expressed his outrage and dismay at the passage of House Bill 4369, which paves the way for more schools to be taken over and run by for-profit charter corporations. The bill now goes back to the Senate for concurrence."My communities want and need strong public schools for their kids, but the money that schools
is supposed to leave the reform district if performance improves, meaning a school could be faced with an indefinite takeover. Schools already in the reform district have seen subject proficiency decrease since their takeover.“This bill doesn’t even include a mechanism for a school exiting the reform district once it has improved,” said Dianda. “We can’t just give our schools over to for-profit companies to run for as long as they please. I have a better plan that offers a way for educators, parents and community members to work together to improve schools.” Two Democratic-sponsored bills, HBs 5268 and 5269, came out of the House Democrats’ School Reform Task Force last year. This legislation would create an audit program for schools before they fail and determine the true cost of education so that money can be spent wisely. After sitting in the House Education Committee for more than a month without action, both bills were discharged to the floor, but the full House has yet to consider them."Corporations taking over our schools and making money off our kids is just wrong,” said Dianda. “We need real solutions, not so-called solutions that make profits more important than students.”
Mind Trekkers presentation by
Steve Patchin at Chamber Eggs
& Issues
Michigan Tech's Center for Pre-College Outreach has many programs from our Summer Youth Programs, hosting over 1,000 students annually from across the globe, to our Mind Trekkers programs which have now piloted after school clubs in 4 local schools (Hancock, L'Anse, Lake Linden, and Calumet). In these after school programs high school students learn/develop hands-on activities, then in turn conduct them for K-6 students allowing for a unique cascade-mentoring model to excite students about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Engagement by businesses and the community are vital to the success of these initiatives.
Michigan Technological University’s Mind Trekkers STEM Road Shows bring the WOW! of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to the hands and minds of K-12 students under the inspirational guidance of the Mind Trekkers team
Glen Tolksdorf, President of the KCC
introduces Steve
Keweenaw.org 9
inspirational guidance of the Mind Trekkers team consisting of undergrad and graduate students. Can you walk on water? Make ice cream in 60 seconds? Make a magnet float in mid-air, no strings attached! Let Mind Trekkers be your guide as you explore the excitement of STEM.
This presentation helped identify ways you, your business, or organization can participate and help these programs grow.First, support STEM in the schools; if the kids are excited to attend MTU because of the program, we keep money in the local economy. Second, be courteous and supportive of the students that attend the SYP programs, because they will let their parents know what they think. Thirdly, funding is always helpful, which the upcoming Biathalon may be contacting you soon for.
Another exciting thing that was mentioned is that the first ever Keweenaw Science Engineering Festival will be held this August. More details will be available as the event draws near and the details are set in place.
Steve Patchin, Director of Center for
Pre-College Outreach
What’s your “Issue” ?
Is there an issue you would like to know more about? Let us know and we will find someone who can answer you questions at on of the Chamber’s Eggs & Issues programs.
Contact us by phone 906.482.5240 or by email [email protected] and let us know
Interested In
Getting Involved?
This is an incredibly exciting time as we bring our efforts into focus to support, attract, and develop businesses like yours!
For more information on the benefits of Chamber membership, visit www.keweenaw.org or call our office at 906.482.5240 to see how we can help your business launch, grow and achieve its full potential.
MDOT's 2014 statewide construction map
now available
The annual "Paving the Way" state highway construction map
is now available from the Michigan Department of
Transportation (MDOT). The free map is updated each year to
help motorists locate major MDOT road and bridge projects
across the state.
The 2014 print edition will be available at all MDOT
Transportation Service Centers and region offices, as well as at
all Welcome Centers. Welcome Centers in the Upper
Peninsula are expected have maps available starting in late
April. The map also is available for viewing at state rest areas.
Information on the map is current at the time of printing.
"MDOT provides both printed and online versions of this
map so that as many motorists as possible are prepared for
Michigan's upcoming construction season," said State
Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "We remind everyone
to slow down and be alert when driving through any work
zone. Nearly 99 percent of all people hurt or killed in work
zones are drivers and their passengers. Avoid distractions,
10 Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce902 College Avenue, P.O. Box 336Houghton, MI 49931
Stop in and check out the new graphics the adorn the Chamber office / Visitor Center and bring in your brochures to fill the racks. Visitors to our area find useful information from your brochures, and we want Chamber members represented. What a great way to increase the visibility of your business!
Graphics designed by The Marketing Department, Inc. Production and installation by Industrial Graphics.
45807 Highway M 26, PO Box 18945807 Highway M 26, PO Box 18945807 Highway M 26, PO Box 18945807 Highway M 26, PO Box 189
South Range, MI 49963South Range, MI 49963South Range, MI 49963South Range, MI 49963
Rep. Dianda Proposes Bill to Increase Available Road FundsLegislation would provide early retirement for MDOT employees
LANSING – State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) proposed House Bill 5443 this week, legislation that would provide an early retirement package to Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) employees for the purposes of trimming the ranks at MDOT and applying those budgeted funds to road surfaces.
“As a legislator, it is my job to ensure state agencies are spending taxpayer dollars wisely,” Dianda said. “As we look toward putting together a road funding package, we need to look at our current expenditures and how we can adjust those to make sure that we have the funds we need to fix and maintain our roads. Creating a leaner, meaner MDOT through an early retirement could help us do that.”
More specifically, the bill would: provide for a “70 and out” retirement, adding age plus years of service; add a 1.75 multiplier to the employee’s final average compensation; eliminate age restrictions on retirement; and allow MDOT employees to purchase up to five years to get to 70.
“This bill will help Michigan taxpayers save money,” said Dianda. “With those savings, we can work toward improving our roads and show that we are committed to major structural changes for the betterment and efficiency of MDOT operations.”
Registration Deadline NearingPortage Lake Little League is still accepting registrations for the 2014 season. Interested participants can register online or by mail until Friday, April 4, 2014 without facing a $20.00 late fee.Mail registration requires completing the registration and medical release form, which can be printed online at www.portagelakelittleleague.com . Forms can be found under the “HANDOUT” tab. Mail registration forms and payment to Portage Lake LL, PO Box 728, Houghton MI 49931. Online registration can be accessed at www.portagelakelittleleague.com. Additional transaction fees will be incurred. The 2014 participation fees are $80.00 for the first child and $50.00 each for any additional child(s) from the same family. For more information call (906) 370-0240 or email [email protected] Portage Lake Little League on Facebook by Like our page.
Interested In
Getting Involved?
Participating in community events is a great way to network and create visibility for your company in the community.
For more information about upcoming events, check out our calendar:www.keweenaw.org/business-calendar
Let us know if you have an upcoming
event you want included on our
calendar or in our next newsletter.
We are looking for photos of people doing business in the Keweenaw, to use on our website and in our newsletters. If you have photos you’d like to share, send them to
Finlandia University is facilitating the first Finnish
Educator Exploratory Team (FEET) to Helsinki, Finland
this spring 2014 (in Finland 3/30 through 4/5) with the
purpose of enriching teaching and encouraging teachers
in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan through linking K-12
education professionals in the Upper Peninsula with
those in Finland. This initiative generated from Finlandia
University and the educators who participated in the
FinnFest 2013 Education Forum hosted by the office of
the president in June 2013. FEET members will visit
Finnish schools and be provided opportunities to engage
in teacher-to-teacher/practitioner-to-practitioner
conversations with Finnish educators, observe direct
instruction and teaching methodologies, and build
relationships with Finnish teaching professionals in
efforts to explore how to facilitate an annual event that
meaningfully links K-12 education professionals in the
Upper Peninsula with those in Finland.
Engaging the successful pedagogies and instructional
techniques currently practiced and still emerging in
Finland will benefit students and educators in the Upper
Peninsula and will be the topic of interest presented by like to share, send them to [email protected]. Please include who took the photo and the area it was taken so we can give proper credit. Thanks!
Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce902 College Avenue, P.O. Box 336Houghton, MI 49931
Looking for a way to get your advertising message out to a fresh new crowd? The Chamber newsletter has a circulation of more the 200 local
businesses. We can accept print-ready ads or build an ad for you…just ask for details. Email advertising is also available and reaches 1,800 email
addresses! Newsletter ands email advertising gets proven results – let us help you grow your business today!
The deadline is the 20th of the month for the next month’s newsletter. For example, May 20 is the deadline do the an ad in the June newsletter. Call us with questions!
SUPPORT: The Chamber support businesses by providing information and referring inquiries to our partners like Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, Michigan Small Business Development Center , MTEC SmartZone, Entrepreneur Support Center, Jutila Business Incubator or whichever organization is best to assist that business.
ATTRACT: The Chamber also provides information and referrals to people who want to visit or relocate here. If someone inquires about tourism, we send them directly to the convention and visitor bureau. Whether someone is relocating a business or family here, we will continue to send them the appropriate community resources that will meet their needs.
DEVELOP BUSINESS: The Chamber will continue to grow networking and visibility opportunities for small businesses. We will continue to provide ribbon cuttings, promotions, Eggs and Issues, golf outings, and a monthly newsletter.
