Upcoming webinar on rising tensions
TRAVERSE CITY — The Michigan Small Business Development Center will host a webinar on rising tensions between businesses and customers on August 25 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Webinar panelists include financial expert Brooks Kindel of the SBDC Growth Team. David Beeson, SBDC Growth Team, HR Professional. Patti Janes, Department of Hospitality and Tourism, Grand Valley State University. Joe Weaver, an experimental psychologist at Saginaw Valley State University; Jim McLain, SBDC Growth Team, Marketing and Communications.
“This webinar will help small businesses address the tensions with their customers that have been made public in many press outlets over the past few weeks,” said a release from SBDC. It provides audiences with insight, experience and value on how to deal with problems when they arise, and even better, to work to prevent them from happening.”
Register for the free webinar at https://tinyurl.com/SBDCtensions.
MSP Open House
Cadillac — The Michigan State Police will hold an open house on August 26 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Cadillac Post (7711 SUS 131).
Bomb squads, emergency support teams, aviation squads, dog squads, and more highlight their missions. A “Hidden in Plain Sight” trailer is available on the tour. Plus, Primo’s food his truck provides meals.
Traverse Connect is looking for mentors
TRAVERSE CITY — In February, Traverse Connect’s second annual community mentoring program calls for volunteer mentors.
This role includes two lunch workshops, nine mentee meetings over four months, and in-person attendance at the opening event on February 1st and the closing event on June 21st.
Applications close on September 2nd at https://bit.ly/3Ca2w0r.
NMCAA Workshop Signup
TRAVERSE CITY — People can sign up for the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency’s money management and homebuyer education workshop in September.
Money Management is a three-part series that can be taken in any order on Zoom. Homebuyer Education will be offered via Zoom in two parts (September 28 and 29 from 5:30-7:30pm) or one session (September 10 from 9am-1pm) will be The cost is $75.
The money management and homebuyer education workshops have online, self-paced courses with the same materials. This self-paced money management workshop is $35 and homebuyer education is $99. Scholarships may be available. NMCAA also provides free foreclosure education and budget guidance.
To register for a workshop or to learn more about NMCAA services, call 231-947-3780, text 231-714-4578, or email [email protected].
Skill Gap Webinar Series
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College and Traverse Connect are hosting a webinar series for entrepreneurs, employers and employees this fall.
The free program aims to fill the skills gap in northern Michigan, according to the release.
Sessions begin at noon each month.
- “Blue Economy” September 8
- October 13, “heavy road construction” training
- “Human Resource Development Fundraising” November 10
Find details and links to sign up for each program at https://www.nmc.edu/news/2022/08/webinar-series-to-close-skills-gap.html.
Law office relocation
TRAVERSE CITY — Danbrook Adams Raymond PLC celebrates 5 years of moving DAR Legal to 625 Second St.
Lawyer owners Courtney Dunbrook, Janice Adams, and Lindsey Raymond were previously attorneys at large firms. According to the release, clients will continue to receive employment and labor law, employer defense and litigation, liquor licensing and regulation, and property planning and management services at the new location.
For more information, visit darlawyers.com or call 231-714-0157 to book.
Start recruiting fitness club members
TRAVERSE CITY — Tri Again Fitness recently opened its annual membership fee to everyone in Northern Michigan.
The club offers seminars on topics such as manufacturing and racing discounts, team training meetups, mountain bike meetups, and race nutrition. Programs and t-shirts are included in the annual fee.
Learn more and register at runsignup.com/Club/MI/TraverseCity/TriAgainFitness.
Mental health office relocated
Kalkaska — North Country Community Mental Health operates the Kalkaska Outpatient Office at the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center (515 S. Birch St.
CEO Brian Babbitt said in a release that this is part of a plan to relocate central dispatch to the mental health center’s current space. Babbitt also said NCCMH outpatient services said he should remain at KMHC for at least two years.
Medical services such as telemedicine will continue in other NCCMH offices and communities. Kalkaska Christ Church of Christ will provide space to clients during the transition period as needed.
The office was previously located in the Kalkaska County building. Clients will be seen at the new location from August 29th. Call 877-470-7130 for services or more information.
Hotel opens The Dock
Mackinac Island — The Iroquois Hotel recently opened The Dock at the Carriage House Restaurant. The new dock extends the bar above the water. The release will feature a new food menu and an updated drinks menu that includes cocktails and wine.
Guests can visit the dock from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm this summer and from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm in the fall.
Crafted market meals available
GRAND RAPIDS — Craft Market and Craft Market Signature are now available at Midwest retailers. Heating time in the microwave is about 5 minutes per piece.
According to the release, grocers expect 40% of these meals to be eaten the same day they are purchased.
All 12 types are sold at the deli corner of each store. Crafted Market includes teriyaki chicken, meatloaf and mashed potatoes. The Crafted Market Signature line features in-store assembled meal options such as chicken enchiladas.
State Rank for Career Opportunities
LANSING — Michigan was recently ranked the 8th best state to start a career, according to a BestColleges.com report.
The site looked at average rent, cost of living, number of job opportunities, diversity, and other factors for all 50 states. According to the release, Michigan ranked in the top 10 because of its high cost of living, number of job openings, average entry-level salary, average rent, and women’s equality.
In a release, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the government will continue to work “to create jobs, attract investment and ensure a quality of life that is affordable.”
Employee resources include the Mi Tri-Share Child Care Program, expanding apprenticeships, Going PRO Talent Fund, and tuition-free degrees and certificates through Michigan Reconnect.
Additionally, Michigan recently ranked in the top 20 on CNBC’s 2022 list of Top States for Business in America.
Increase in retail sales in July
LANSING — The Michigan Retailers Association recently reported that July 2022 sales increased from June 2022. The July Retail Index survey showed a rating of 54.3, while in June he was 50.7, according to the release.
More than half of Michigan retailers surveyed reported increased sales in July, 35% decreased, and 6% saw no change. Over the next three months, 51% of retailers expect sales to continue to increase, 18% expect no change, and 31% expect sales to decline. This means a 58.5 index rating.
Grants Help Michigan Veterans
LANSING — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced that the state of Michigan has received a $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for the new Michigan Incarcerated Veterans Inreach Program. Funding was provided through a Pathway Home 3 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Employment and Training Administration.
The program is intended to provide pre-release education, employment assistance, and career counseling to veterans incarcerated in several correctional facilities throughout the state. LEO’s Veterans Employment Services team is affiliated with the Michigan Department of Corrections and Michigan Works. network for this initiative.
Ministry of Finance Offers Tips for Student Support
Lansing — The Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid Team is dedicated to informing students and their families about financial aid for the fall 2022 semester.
The Treasury Department offers some tips to keep in mind when considering student loans.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine available awards.
- Financial aid, such as student loans, must be repaid with interest.
- Before you take out a loan, check the amount of interest. Federal student loans, parental loans for undergraduates (PLUS), and private loans have different interest rates and repayment terms.
- Only take as much as you need.
- Please be careful about debt fraud. Scammers may ask for your bank details, claiming to deposit money into your account in exchange for a gift card.
- Visit your school’s financial aid office each semester to check the status of your account and track the types of aid you have received.
- To view federal student assistance information, create an account at studentaid.gov.
For more information, visit michigan.gov/mistudentaid or follow @mistudentaid on social media.
Elderly people beware of fraud
ARLINGTON, Va. — The BBB warns of an emergency scam, also known as the “grandparent scam,” targeting seniors. These scams usually involve people pretending to be their grandchildren asking for financial help during a crisis.
The FCC says these scammers may use personal information found online, such as surnames.
According to the 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, adults over the age of 65 lost more money to scams than other age groups.
Tips for avoiding emergency scams include verifying the caller’s identity, verifying information with family members, telling loved ones about travel plans in advance, and not sending money to strangers.
BBB encourages everyone to block caller numbers and report fraud at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
USDA Updates Livestock Regulations
WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Department of Agriculture recently released proposed updates to its organic livestock and poultry standards that were published in the Federal Register in August.
According to the release, the proposed requirements cover living conditions, care, transportation and slaughter of organic livestock and poultry.
Agricultural Marketing Service invites growers, processors and consumers to submit comments on the regulation at regulation.gov. For more information on the proposed rule, search docket “AMS-NOP-21-0073.”
States Rank Among Foreclosure Applications
IRVINE, Calif. — Real estate data firm ATTOM recently released its Mid-2022 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. Michigan ranks 10th among over 160,000 properties with foreclosure filings in the United States. According to the release, the state has about 6,000 foreclosures in the first half of 2022.
Michigan homeowners can apply for the Michigan Homeowners Assistance Fund (MIHAF) program. This includes assistance with late mortgage payments, land contracts, property taxes, and more. The Michigan Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) administers the program and is funded through the National Relief Plans Act.