Chamber Blog

To:                   The Michigan Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration From:              Grand Rapids Chamber Subject:           Jail & Pretrial Incarceration Reforms Necessary for Business, Workforce Development Date:                September 2019   Crime rates are the lowest Michigan has seen in more than 50 years, and yet our jail population has tripled. Historically low crime presents […]

We are proud to announce the finalists for this year’s EPIC Awards Gala! Each award category recognizes businesses or individuals who are leading the way in growth and innovation, strengthening our business community, enabling collaboration and connections, and accomplishing incredible endeavors with their focus on the future. This year’s finalists are: Excellence in Business: Cherry Health […]

The “Dog Days” of summer are upon us! (Did you know? The hot, sultry days got their nickname because they coincide with the dawn rising of Sirius, the Dog Star.) If there’s one thing the Chamber team loves, it’s our canine companions. In honor of the Dog Days, we’re highlighting some Chamber members who can […]

Once upon a time, women didn’t have the right to vote or drive… Today, after years of fiercely fighting for women’s rights, individuals are still challenging, inspiring and innovating their communities every day to be a strong force for change. At the 30th Annual ATHENA Awards Celebration, we will gather to celebrate these individuals. The […]

Leadership Grand Rapids (LGR) is designed to be unlike any other leadership program, where instead of analyzing leadership tactics and principles, participants are asked to use a systems thinking approach to tackle real issues facing our community. This approach to the programming is meant to foster community trustees who will leave the class with a […]

In February of 2018, former Grand Valley State University President Thomas Haas announced his coming retirement, and the search for the university’s fifth president began. Months later, it was announced that Dr. Philomena Mantella, former Vice President & CEO of Northeastern University’s Lifelong Learning Network, would take up the mantle as President. As a first-generation […]

Many people will tell you they could be better than [insert politician’s name], but actually running to become a politician isn’t quite as easy. Running for local or state office is a big decision and it can be difficult to know where to begin exploring. Turning your passion for public service into a winning campaign […]

With every passing year, America grows more diverse. In fact, more than 67% of job applicants and 57% of employees expressed that they value diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It’s no wonder, too, because diverse companies perform better. When our workforce doesn’t reflect our population’s ever-growing diversity, it’s not only a moral issue, but […]