Manistee : Innovation + Job News

Each year, companies across Michigan that are in the second stage of development and poised to grow and succeed are chosen for the 50 Companies to Watch awards.

This year, there are a significant number of them located in northwest Michigan, which says only good things about the direction our regional economy is headed.

All together, the 50 companies honored this year had $937 million in revenue and added 728 employees from 2009 through 2012.

Traverse City is home to six of the 50 businesses. They are Altus Brands, LLC, a specialty brand manufacturer founded in 2007; Cherry Capital Foods, a agricultural distributor which is expected to add up to 38 jobs in the next few years; Critter Control, headed by Kevin Clark, which will bring as many as 25 jobs to the state in the next few years; Grand Traverse Distillery, founded in 2006, a craft liquor manufacturer; retailer M22, founded in 2003 by Keegan Myers; and Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, which will add about 30 jobs in the next couple of years.

In Reed City, H&H Wildlife Design and Fur Dressing, Inc., headed by Mark Marlette and founded in 2002, was also on the 50 Companies to Watch list, as was manufacturer Cadillac Culvert, Inc. in Cadillac, founded in 2012 and owned by Donald Aldrich.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Several northwest Michigan businesses were among those honored as "Stars" of the state tourism industry in April.

The Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association hands out "Star of the Year" awards each year at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference, and this year our area was well-represented, with award recipients from Acme, Bellaire, Gaylord and Traverse City.

Aaron McIntyre of Treetops Resort in Gaylord was awarded Seasonal Star of the Year for 2013. He's the assistant manager for the resort's golf and ski shop, and has worked there since 2005. He won the award for his personal initiative to improve the golf shop and willingness to take on any task.

Doug Cook is the kids' experience coordinator at Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City, and oversees the resort's childrens' club. He won the 2013 Attraction Star of the Year award and also recently won the hotel's employee of the year award for the regard in which Cook's fellow employees and happy customers hold him.

The 2013 Sales and Marketing Star of the Year was Chris Hale at Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire. Hale is VP of the resort and oversees all departments that produce traffic and revenue. His marketing efforts for Shanty Creek's fiftieth anniversary included extending the brand message with a statewide campaign, new resort-wide campaigns and launching a custom print publication called "Traditions."

The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme received the Good Earth Keeping Award for 2013, accepted by general manager Tim Norman. It's not the first time the resort's environmental efforts have gained notice; it won the Northern Michigan Environment Action Council award in 2011. Among its achievements: in the first year of a new green program, the resort composted more than 100 tons of food waste, diverted more than 40 cubic yards of plastics from landfills, and reduced overall waste by more than 40 percent.

Other award recipients came from Birmingham, Dearborn, Detroit, East Lansing, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Sault Ste. Marie.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association

Northwestern Bank has a new president and CEO with the retirement of Harry Calcutt and the hiring of Daniel Terpsma.

The bank, which is headquartered in Traverse City and has branch offices peppered throughout the northern portion of the state, named Terpsma the new president and CEO following Calcutt's announcement in January that he was retiring. Additionally, the bank announced Terpsma has also been appointed to the board of directors.

Terpsma has more than 30 years of experience in the financial field, including more than two decades in community banking. He has previously been a regional bank president, among other high-level management positions with various financial institutions.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Northwestern Bank

A new chiropractic assistant has joined the staff at Hybza Chiropractic in Manistee. When we say "new" chiropractic assistant, we actually mean someone that folks who have been under Hybza care are likely familiar with.

Maureen Bartosz is a chiropractic assistant who worked with Hybza for six years at the company's previous offices. She recently joined the staff in both the assistant role as well as in the business front office.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Hybza Chiropractic

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs announced more than 300 grants statewide, and many northwest Michigan agencies will be among those benefiting.

To receive the grants, 401 organizations applied, asking for $8.9 million. Overall, $5.7 million was granted statewide from the Program for Operational and Projects Support, the Capital Improvement Program, the Regional Regranting program and the Services to the Field program.

In Benzie County, the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts got $40,500 while the Michigan Legacy Art Park got $19,000.

In Charlevoix County, the Raven Hill Discovery Center received $15,000, as did the Ludington Area Arts Council in Mason County and the Gaylord Area Council for the Arts in Otsego County.

In Emmet County, the Bay View Music Festival got $11,250; the Blissfest Music Organization got $48,750; the Crooked Tree Arts Council, Inc. got $67,500; the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society got $6,000 and Voices Without Borders got $10,455.

In Leelanau County, the Glen Arbor Art Association got $4,500 and the Leelanau Community Cultural Center got $19,000.

Grand Traverse County was far from left out, with the Great Lakes Children's Museum getting $17,000; the History Center of Traverse City getting $15,000; the Interlochen Center for the Arts getting $82,500; The Music House getting $15,000; Northwestern Michigan College's Dennos Museum getting $25,500, the Old Town Playhouse getting $15,000; Rotary Charities of Traverse City getting $42,920; and the Traverse Symphony Orchestra getting $5,000.

In total, the grants support organizations with 10,718 full time employees and an additional 54,868 contracted Michigan artists. The programs or exhibits offered will be attended by about 50 million people, about 10 million of which are youth.

"Once again we are grateful for the support this sector has received from Gov. Rick Snyder and the legislature and for their confidence in MCACA," said MCACA Chairman Drew Buchholz. "Their confidence in MCACA allows us to directly support organizations whose work does so much to enhance Michigan's image, improve education, stimulate cultural tourism, and strengthen communities statewide by impacting local economies and creating a better quality of life. This is truly an amazing sector."

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Manistee County's Alliance for Economic Success has a new executive director, Kathy Adair.

The alliance is the county's economic development organization, overseen by a board which Adair will report to beginning Jan. 3.

Her background includes serving as a community assistance team specialist for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, working on economic development projects in 21 northern Michigan counties and coordinating efforts with MSHDA, MDOT, MDEQ and others.

Adair also previously has been a community and economic development educator for the Ogemaw County MSU Extension, and director of the Ogemaw County Economic Development Corporation. She holds a bachelor's degree from CMU and a master's degree from MSU, as well as industry certifications.

"Kathy's acceptance of the AES Executive Director position is great news for the Manistee county area," says AES board chair Beth McCarthy. "She brings tremendous experience and program knowledge as well as a keen interest and passion in supporting the success of rural communities. While we know that MEDC is sad to lose her, it should be a comfort to all that Kathy remains as a part of the leadership to bring economic prosperity to Manistee County and northern Michigan."

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Alliance for Economic Success

If you're looking for a new chiropractor or are tired of not being able to get into one of the other offices in the area, you should get in touch with Dr. Lindsay Figley, the newest addition to the staff at the Saks Wellness Center.

Figley, who is originally from Roscommon, has a degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic. Prior to taking the position with the Saks Wellness Center, Figley practiced in Ireland.

Figley is currently accepting new patients and appointments. She is available at the Saks Wellness Center, which is located at 1447 S. Ostego Avenue in Gaylord.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Saks Wellness Center

Placemaking can cover a variety of initiatives and strategies, from the super-scaled to the very small. Some of those on the latter end of the spectrum are receiving micro-grants from the Northwest Michigan Council of Goverments locally.

Four placemaking projects are getting grants of $1,500 each in Boyne City, Petoskey, Manistee and Lake City. The grants, available in a competitive format to municipalities and governments in Charlevoix, Emmet, Manistee and Missaukee counties, are specifically to help achieve placemaking goals.

"The goal for these placemaking micro-grants is to assist local efforts to enhance their communities' public spaces and to begin to implement them," says Matt McCauley, NWMCOG director of regional planning and community development. "Often it is the small ideas that grow from the community that create interesting usable public places."

Boyne City will use its grant to install bicycle racks that also serve as public art in eight locations in the city's downtown, helping it be more bicycle-friendly and enhance the downtown.

In Petoskey, the money will help wayfinding efforts in the Bear River Valley Recreation Area, including mapping, brochures, kiosk construction, signage, and a cell phone interpretive tour.

The City of Manistee Downtown Development Association will use its grant on a signage and wayfinding project for the U.S. 31 and River Street intersection, which is designed to help U.S. 31 motorists navigate Manistee's historic commercial district.

In Lake City, the grant was also to the downtown development association, which will put it toward wayfinding for the new, permanent city dock. New signs will help dock users connect to the downtown district and associated businesses.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Matt McCauley, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments

There's a third cardiologist joining the staff at the Traverse Heart and Vascular offices in Manistee.

John Raftery, M.D., will join cardiologists Daniel Bonifacio and Dino Recchia at the Coastline Medical Specialties Building, which is located in Manistee at 1391 East Parkdale Avenue, Suite 101. He will be available there, beginning this month, several times each month to help provide patients with care in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Raftery specializes in peripheral intervention including endovascular treatment of peripheral vascular disease. He is one of five full-time endovascular specialists at Traverse Heart and Vascular.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Traverse Heart and Vascular

Honor Bank announced that Randy Williams of Traverse City will be the new VP and commercial lender for the northwest Michigan bank.

Williams has been doing commercial lending for more than 25 years, including work with commercial and manufacturing companies, oil and gas industries, and the real estate, hospitality and medical industries locally.

"I'm excited to join the region's best commercial banking team and work with this talented group of people who are all focused on helping customers reach their company and personal goals," Williams says.

On the personal side, Williams is a member of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Council, Rotary International, Michigan Oil & Gas Association, and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. He also is on the Board of Directors for the Traverse City Boom Boom Club through the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau and on the Traverse City Golf and Country Club's Finance Committee.

Honor Bank has offices in Bear Lake, Benzonia, Buckley, Copemish, Honor, Lake Ann and Traverse City, and its loan center is in Beulah.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Randy Williams, Honor Bank

Perry Adams will take on the title of VP and investment officer at Northwestern Bank, headquartered in Traverse City.
 
Adams joins the bank's investments, trust and retirement services area with more than 20 years of trust and investment experience. He recently spent ten years as regional manager for the trust department of another Traverse City bank.
 
He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Ferris State College, and a master's degree in finance from Walsh College.

Adams' other community involvements include serving as a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan and on the finance committee of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. He has volunteered with the Father Fred Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, as a board member of the Grand Traverse Area Sport Fishing Association, and as president and board member of the Rotary Club of Traverse Bay Twilight.
 
Northwestern Bank was founded in 1955, and now is the largest independent bank in northwest Michigan, with 28 offices throughout the region.
 
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Perry Adams, Northwestern Bank

Isn't it great to know that your local chamber of commerce really does want to help your business grow and succeed? That's the case over at Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, which recently had a hand in helping get Senate Bill SB582 in front of our senators and, as of early July, passed into law.

For the Chamber this initiative all started with an e-mail from a member and a phone call that asked for help getting an archaic law about semi-trucks and trailers changed.

You see, The laws in Michigan on the size of the semi-trucks and trailers did not match other states and Canada. Michigan's law was outdated to today’s technology and competitive market. Some local businesses--Rec Boat Holdings, Star Truck Rentals, and Cherry Growers--also pointed out that changing the law would reduce transportation costs and would put fewer semi-trucks on the road.

The chamber went to work contacting local representatives until the bill was sponsored by Senator Tom Casperson and, eventually, signed into law by the Lt. Governor.  

"The Chamber works to be an indispensable asset for business; this is a prime example of that work in action. When we get a call from an investor that identifies a barrier, it becomes a high priority and we’re pleased with the result of this call," says Doug DeYoung, Vice President of Government Relations and Business Development for the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Now Rec Boat Holdings, Star Truck Rentals and Cherry Growers will be able to transport more goods and services and save on transportation costs. There is a 15%-20% reduction in costs for moving goods to market. According to the chamber of commerce, the general public will also benefit by now having close to 15% less semi-truck traffic on the roads.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Doug DeYoung, Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce

A new partnership has been created to better help farmers and other agricultural business owners to connect with resources to improve or start new businesses.

The Northwest Michigan Regional Agriculture Business Services Partnership is made up of an agriculture innovation counselor, an agriculture business counselor, and the Northwest Michigan Agriculture and Food System Sector Alliance.

"The Regional Agriculture Business Partnership will give farmers and agriculture business owners easy access to information and resources they can use to improve their business, develop new products, or start a new business," says Elaine Wood, CEO of Northwest Michigan Council of Governments.

The partnership will help farmers and farm-related businesses by assisting with product development, marketing, business plans, financing, education and training, and farm production and distribution.

The members of the partnership are NWMCOG, Michigan State University Extension, the MSU Product Center and the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, with support from the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and MSU Extension.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Elaine Wood, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments

It's been 60 years since the Michigan Nature Association first formed and this year they're looking to celebrate by hosting a special tour of Michigan: The 60th Anniversary MNA Odyssey Tour.

The MNA was created to protect rare, threatened and endangered specieis and natural communities across Michigan. To help show what has been accomplished in that time, the MNA Odyssey will visit 20 of the finest sanctuaries in the state, chosen for their unique features, educational value and accessibility to the public.

There will be one today at the Newaygo Prairie Nature Sanctuary and one tomorrow at the Genevieve Casey Nature Sanctuary.

Three of the upcoming locations are in the Upper Peninsula. The first will be Sept. 25 at Twin Waterfalls Memorial in Munising and the next two will be on the Keweenaw Peninsula with a Sept. 29 stop at Estivant Pines near Copper Harbor and a Sept. 30 visit to Black Creek near Calumet.

Dave Wendling, a former trustee for the MNA, will help lead tours at each of the 20 and give talks about its unique features.

"Everyone should have the opportunity to see these natural treasures at least once in a lifetime, and this is my chance to help make it happen," Wendling says.

For more information about the Odyssey or the tours, visit this website.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Dave Wendling, Michigan Nature Association

Northwestern Bank announced it has promoted three employees to the position of assistant vice president and financial advisor.

Craig Leppien, Chris Bousson and Courtney Miller are the newly promoted finance advisors, and all will be working in investments, trusts and retirement services for the bank.

Leppien joined Northwestern Bank in 2008 and has a background in financial advising. He works with the bank's 401(k) team on plan design, administration and employee enrollment. He has a bachelor's degree in finance from Michigan State University and is licensed in securities.

Bousson came to Northwestern Bank in 2010, with nearly 10 years of banking and investment experience. He works with investment clients in Ludington, Manistee, Cadillac and Houghton Lake, and is a Ludington resident. He has a bachelor's degree in finance from Western Michigan University and also is licensed in securities.

Miller, from Petoskey, joined Northwestern's investment, trust and retirement services team in 2009, coming from a background in investment management. She has a bachelor's degree from William Smith College in New York, is a certified financial planner and is licensed in securities. She gives her northern Michigan investment clients the benefit of more than 10 years in the financial industry.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Northwestern Bank