Chamber Blog

Being a member of the Grand Rapids Chamber means having a seat at the table on important policy issues that effect the West Michigan business community. Last week, the Grand Rapids Chamber’s Transportation Committee met to discuss the various details in Governor Whitmer’s Gas Tax proposal. In her first budget proposal, the Governor proposed a […]

Grand Rapids has a rich history with the arts alongside strong support from the philanthropic community in West Michigan. Venues such as Van Andel Arena bring in popular musical performances for the masses, while ArtPrize attracts thousands to the city to celebrate various art mediums. One staple of Grand Rapids’ arts culture is the Grand […]

A Hand Up, Not a Handout After three months on the job, the new Executive Director of Exodus Place Tom Hyde says he’s still learning something new every day. That’s because, as Hyde says, there is never a dull moment at the transitional housing facility. With a capacity to house 140 men, leading the day […]

The Emerging Leaders Series, one of four leadership programs at the Grand Rapids Chamber, is designed to help individuals grow their career and become actively engaged in the Grand Rapids community. This five-session program is built to engage participants in a variety of ways, from a bus tour of GR, to in-depth discussions about individual […]

When it comes to the important issues affecting our state, “What can I do to help?” can seem daunting. While there’s little the average citizen can do to #FTDR, we can all come together to create great community around one important issue effecting the entire state, including every demographic and every region- literacy. In spirit […]

Last year, the Grand Rapids Chamber and other business groups from across the state, were successful in convincing lawmakers to pull the paid sick leave employer mandate from the statewide election ballot by adopting the proposals. This preserved the ability of the legislature to amend the adopted laws by a simple majority vote and approval […]

TRIP, a national transportation research group based in Washington, DC, released their report on the state of Michigan’s roads, “Modernizing Michigan’s Transportation System: Progress and Challenges in Providing Safe, Efficient and Well-Maintained Roads, Highways and Bridges.” According to the report, while Michigan roads are recovering, the rate of recovery could be slowed if Michigan is […]

Governor Whitmer presented her first budget proposal to the legislature on March 5, addressing roads, talent, and business taxes. The Chamber looks forward to adding a West Michigan business voice to discussions with the Administration and the Legislature to find a solution that promotes a prosperous Michigan for all. Check out the highlights of Governor […]