December 2015Upcoming Events ...............................1

Members in the News ...................2-3

DTE/Foundation News......................3

Calendar .................................................4

How to register for Chamber events and SAVE MONEY: www.monroecountychamber.com

SuperSaver

SpecialSEE INSERT

FOR DETAILS

Website Banner Ads FOR SALE on www.monroecountychamber.com

email chamber@monroecountychamber.com for more information!$750/year

Small Business SaturdayNovember 28, 2015 • 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

• Th e Art Insight Emporium• Belle Fleur• Hippie Chick Herbal Harmony• Lake Erie Mercantile• Deb’s Floral Design• Agua Dulce Coff ee & Tea

Here’s how is works...Get your Start at Agua Dolce. Grab some coff ee or tea and a card to get punched at each of our locations. Get all six punches and enter to win a basket containing a gift from each participating location!

PIPELINE | December 2015 PAGE 1 MONROE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Pipeline Submission Guidelines All Members in the News articles must be submitted by the 5th of each month

(for the following month’s publication) and be a short paragraph with no more than 125 words. Send to chamber@monroecountychamber.com

2015

PIPELINE | 2015 PAGE 2 MONROE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

members IN THE NEWS

Don Lieto, ChairpersonMonroe Bank & Trust

Greg Kreps, Chairperson ElectKreps Building Company Inc.

Josh LaRoy, TreasurerAdvanced Plumbing

Michelle Dugan, SecretaryChamber of Commerce

Barry Buschmann, Past ChairpersonThe Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.

Matt Budds RCO Law

TC ClementsPremier Cruise Planners

Shelli CrippenQuality Inn & Suites

Mark ElliottEastman & Smith Ltd.

Jim JacobsJames S. Jacobs Architects, PLLC

John Kauffman Jr.DTE Energy

Stephen McNew, Ph.D.Monroe County ISD

Annette PhillipsProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital

Deborah SaboCooley Hehl Wohlgamuth & Carlton

Molly BowmanMembership Manager

Tammy ChurchillOperations Manager

Michelle DuganExecutive Director

Contact us734-384-3366734-384-3367 (fax)chamber@monroecountychamber.com

Websitewww.monroecountychamber.com

Our Mission To be a resource that promotes, educates and assists in the growth

and success of Businesses in Monroe County, Michigan.

A voluntary group of members who work together to help retain and grow Chamber Membership.

Norm Johnson, Red Wing ShoesBrian Reicker, Tim Horton’sJason Reinhardt, Go M.A.D. FitnessAmy Zangara, Monroe Bank & TrustTC Clements, Premier Cruise PlannersMatt Budds, RCO LawDoug Kuras, LM alumni

Laurie Rost, LM alumniMark Johnson, Thrivent FinancialMilward Beaudry, MPACTBen Osborne, Brooks Insurance

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS —continued on next page

AA Welding SupplyAA Welding Supply is the place for your welding, industrial, and medical gas needs. Come and check out their convenient exchange program. If you own your tanks they can exchange your empty cylinder for a full one! All you pay for is the gas! Their competitive pricing will have you wondering why you went anywhere else. Doctors, Dentists, Vets, they also carry a wide range of tank sizes for your medical oxygen and nitrous oxide needs. And they deliver! Call one of their experts at 734-794-3200. Ask for Jim, Tom, Trent, Ted, Julie or Jackie and fi nd out how much they can save you! Stop by their new AA Welding Supply store at 4658 S. Custer Monroe Michigan, just one mile west of the Monroe County Fairgrounds on M50.

Edward Jones InvestmentIf you’re a small-business owner, your “to do” list probably never ends. But here’s one task you might have overlooked: funding your own retirement plan. Fortunately, when choosing a retirement plan, you’ve got choices. Although the various plans have diff erent requirements and contribution limits, they all off er tax-deferred earnings potential, and some allow you to make tax-deductible contributions. One of the plans you might consider is an “owner-only” 401(k), which off ers many of the same benefi ts found in 401(k) plans off ered by big companies. Other retirement plan options include a SEP IRA and a SIMPLE IRA. You can even establish your own defi ned benefi t plan, similar to the traditional pension. Explore your choices carefully, with the help of a fi nancial professional. Don’t wait too long to act, time is your greatest ally. www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Greenpath Debt SolutionsMurray Feldman, FOX Business editor, interviewed GreenPath on WJBK-TV/FOX and the segment will be aired on Fox News Money Monday. Tanya LaPrad is the Greenpath client of the year and nominated by her counselor, Bettina Bartolo. Ms. LaPrad successfully paid off over $20,000 in credit card debt in 33 months while battling and winning her fi ght with breast cancer. Ms. LaPrad shared her story and thanked Greenpath for the work that they do to help families in fi nancial crisis. “The work that GreenPath does is so important, and if I can share my story with someone to help them take that fi rst step in calling GreenPath, that I am happy to help,” she said. “Without their help and having the debt management plan in place, I don’t know how I would have fi nancially made it during my cancer treatments.”

Flick’s Package LiquorStop in this holiday season for all your needs. They are getting in new items EVERY week and they have a lot of new gift sets this year that are starting to come in now. There are limited quantities of gift sets so stop in soon to get yours. Don’t forget they do personal and corporate gift baskets. Get your orders in soon to have them ready by Christmas. From everyone at Flick’s, they wish you all Happy Holidays! www.fl icks4fun.com 734.854.2000

Monroe Community AmbulanceMonroe Community Ambulance, a member of Emergent Health Partners, is recruiting for its Volunteer Team and looking for people interested in training for a variety of volunteer positions. You can train to be an emergency medical responder at special events or to assist with community education, awareness programs, or administrative tasks. Emergent Health volunteers may serve in Monroe County, as well as volunteer at University of Michigan football games and other large events in southeast and south central Michigan. An information meeting will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Emergent Health Partners Headquarters, 1200 State Circle, Ann Arbor 48108. At the meeting, you will receive information about our volunteer teams — Emergency Medical Responders, Community Relations and Administrative Support — and be able to apply for a position. Pizza and drinks will be served.

Monroe Public SchoolsStudents from Monroe High School will likely be doing business at a number of Monroe County stores and establishments after earning Trojan Pride Cards for achieving grade-point averages of 3.0 and higher during the 2014-2015 school year. The program has three achievement levels with each higher level qualifying students for more valuable rewards. The highest level of recipients qualifi ed to receive such things as free yearbooks, and tickets to Winterfest or prom. All of the student recipients – 900 of them – qualifi ed for various “deals” at local merchants on products students use, like percentage off purchases for food, video games, clothing and fl owers, for example. This is the only student-reward program of its kind at a Monroe County high school. Merchants - thanks for your support!

members IN THE NEWS

PIPELINE | December 2015 PAGE 2 MONROE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Rising Sun InvestmentsWith the end of the year fast approaching, it is time to evaluate how the year has gone and set some goals for the new year. What has changed for you, and how can they help you plan accordingly? Rising Sun Investments provides comprehensive fi nancial planning for people in all walks of life. Whether the next year will face you with planning your retirement, starting a family, or anything in between, they are here to help you plan for a brighter future. With offi ces in Monroe and Troy, they proudly serve clients from all areas of southeast Michigan. Rising Sun Investments: 428 S. Monroe St. Suite 105 Monroe, MI 48161 (888)292-7601 www.rsinv.com Securities and Investment Advisory Services off ered through NEXT Financial Group, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Rising Sun Investments, LLC is not affi liated with NEXT Financial Group, Inc.

Culligan of IdaThe Culligan Man announces his partnership with Santa Claus and Toys for Tots to ensure children across the country receive presents this holiday season. Hall’s Water Culligan dealers in Ohio and Michigan are now collecting toy donations on behalf of Toys for Tots. This is the fi fth year that Hall’s Water Culligan has proudly provided Toys for Tots drop-off locations. Culligan of Ida, at 3259 Lewis Avenue, is collecting new and unwrapped toys between now and December 11. “Every kid deserves a little joy this holiday season,” said Leah Hudson, area marketing director for Hall’s Water. “We partner with Toys for Tots because it’s an incredible organization that aims to bring joy to less fortunate children during this special time of year.”

Lehi Inspections & ServicesThe LEHI brand is a family of 3 distinct divisions founded in 2006 - Home Inspections, Safety Services, and Governmental inspections. LEHI is pleased to announce, an industry fi rst in their safety services division where they assess primarily commercial & industrial facilities. They have saved businesses thousands of dollars when at the end of the day there are little or no costs associated with their services. They’re excited to connect with everyone in the chamber. They are located at 757 S. Telegraph Rd. in Monroe but please call/text Jim Brunt at 567.202.3969 or bruntjam@gmail.com to have him stop by your business for a quick 5 minute introduction.

Thank you Sponsors!

Thank you Comedy Night Sponsors!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

IHOP RESTAURANTKyle Baker1240 N Dixie HwyMonroe, MI 48162(734) 639-2074Kbaker@trinityrestaurants.comRestaurants

SOBAKS HOME MEDICAL, INCSteven Sobak474 N Telegraph RdMonroe, MI 48162(734) 241-7875sobaks@sobaks.comHealth & Wellness

CREATIVE PROMOTIONSDrew Lindecker3325 W Temperance RdLambertville, MI 48144(734) 854-2292lindeckerd@aol.comAdvertising Specialties

MONROE OUTLET MALLChris Harter444 Highland Ave, Ste G-100Atlanta, GA 30312(734) 777-5555chrisharter@gmail.comRetail

CELLA-MAR STUDIO OF HAIR DESIGNMarcella Osenbaugh-Valle112 Tecumseh StDundee, MI 48131(734) 529-3446marcella@dundee.netSalons

DTE supports Chamber FoundationThe Chamber wishes to extend a sincere Thank You to DTE Energy’s Fermi 2, URS

Michigan L.L.C, BHI Energy, CFM VR-TESCO, Conco, GE Power Generation and Mid-American Group, for their generous support of our foundation. These six workforce vendors purchased and distributed coupon books, produced by Monroe Publishing Co. for workers who came to the community to work on the 17th refueling outage at Fermi 2 Power Plant, providing an incentive to patronize local businesses and support the “Buy Local Campaign.” The Chamber Foundation is the benefi ciary of the proceeds from the coupon book sales.

These funds will help us provide LEADERSHIP MONROE Training and expand our scholarship opportunities. Since 2007, this fundraiser has generated $38,500 for scholarships for LEADERSHIP MONROE. A special shout out to Molly Luempert-Coy, Regional Relations Manager for DTE who facilitates the entire project. We appreciate you Molly!

PIPELINE | December 2015 PAGE 3 MONROE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

members IN THE NEWS

P.O. Box 626Monroe, MI 48161

U P C O M I N G E V E N T SDecember

8 7:45 – 9:00 a.m. Koffee Klub State of Our Communities Monroe Bank & Trust

10 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. LEADERSHIP MONROE Participatory Community Development

24 & rof desolC si eciffO rebmahCehT 25 Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

31 rof desolC si eciffO rebmahCehT

January 20161 The Chamber is

Closed for New Year’s

7 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.LEADERSHIP MONROEHealth & Human Services

12 7:45 – 9:00 a.m.Koffee KlubMonroe Bank & Trust

25 5:00 – 630 p.m.Elected Officials ReceptionMonroe Golf & Country Club

3 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tourism Impact Case Study Luncheon Monroe Golf & Country Club

New Year’s Eve

For the purpose of this award, Small Business is

as a company with 100 or fewer employees.

CRITERIA

independent small business

Must have demonstrated growth and entrepreneurship.Demonstrated extensive community service and leadership ability

2015 Small Business of the YearNomination FormPlease carefully review the criteria below. If you are aware of a business that meets or exceeds the stated criteria, please complete the form below and return to

Nominee name: _________________________________________________________________________

Business name: _________________________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________________ State: _________________ Zip: _______________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

December , 2015 (NO EXCEPTIONS)

2. Only signed nomination forms will be accepted3. Return all nomination forms via email to chamber@monroecountychamber.com or mail to: Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 626, Monroe, MI 48161.

Nominator (your name): ___________________________________________ date: _________________

Nominator business: _____________________________________________________________________

Signature of nominator: __________________________________________________________________

NOTE: a follow-up form will be sent to the nominee for additional information. If you want to nominate more than one person or business please copy this form.

If you have any questions please call 384-3368 or email chamber@monroecountychamber.com

December , 2015.

Award will be presented at The

Chamber’s Annual Extravaganza & Luau

(formerly Gala) on Saturday,

February 20, 2016

COMMUNITY IMPACT From feeding kids to creating meaningful family moments to building relationships among seniors, the Y is here to serve everyone. The Monroe Family YMCA is a non-profit organization that is here to strengthen our community. To support the Monroe Family YMCA’s Cause with an end of the year gift, visit ymcaofmonroe.org or scan here The Monroe Family YMCA is a501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that has been serving our community since 1954. Gifts, donations and bequeaths are tax-deductible.

1111 West Elm Avenue 734.241.2606 ymcaofmonroe.org

IS OUR CAUSE

GREAT SUCCESSPurchase a website banner ad for 2016

To purchase a banner ad, contact The Chamber

734-384-3366 x.2

$750FOR ONE YEAR!

www.monroecountychamber.com

Basic Marketing Package(Included with your Chamber Membership)

> 200 character Business description> Hours of Operation> Driving Directions> Website link> Personalized keywords> Events – submit events for consideration on the Community Calendar

Enhanced Marketing Package> Priority Placement over Basic Listing> The 200 character Business description is under company name on Search Results> Plus expanded description of 1600 characters> Website link above phone number on Search Results> Logo/Image next to listing> Bulleted highlights> Slideshow of additional photos> Additional website links> Enhanced Map features

DON’T MISS OUT!!This offer is simply too good to pass up!

OURBEST DEAL

To purchase contact The Chamber @ 734-384-3366

Monroe County Chamber of CommerceP.O. Bo r 8161

734.384.3366chamber@monroecountychamber.com

LISTING GOOD FOR ONE YEAR!January-December 201

GET YOUR MESSAGE IN FRONT MONROE COUNTY BUSINESS PEOPLE!

$250

PER BLAST

(no packages)

Limited number of E-blasts now available for distribution to 900 business people!

You must provide camera-ready artwork (.jpg or PDF format) Please let The Chamber know 10 business days in

advance of your requested e-mail blast date.

For more information or to reserve your e-mail blast, contact:

Tammy Churchill, Operations Manager

734-384-3366chamber@monroecountychamber.com