President's Commentary
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
February 4, 2011
By: Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Involvement in government and public affairs, on behalf of the business community in the Bay Area, is an important program of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
Our goals in this area are two-fold:
(1) Bring together various viewpoints on issues and policies to improve the Bay Area's business environment, and
(2) Implement a cooperative community and economic development program designed to create economic stability and growth with an emphasis on jobs.
The Bay Area Chamber works with our federal and state legislators to represent the Bay Area business community on major legislative issues that affect Bay County. These issues include taxation policies, health care and health insurance issues, legislation to improve public education and environmental issues.
We also support legislation designed to assure competitiveness of our local small businesses.
The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce conducts numerous programs and activities that enhance the economic growth of our community.
As an example, the Chamber assists Bay Future, Inc. in recruiting new business and industry to Bay County, retention and expansion of existing Bay County companies and development of quality new business and industrial expansion sites.
The Bay Area Chamber, in association with local government and economic development leaders, continues to promote expansion programs at General Motors Powertrain, improvements in Karn Weadock electrical generating plants and Bay City riverfront improvements.
Our business leadership promotes development of alternative energy research and production in the Great Lakes Bay Region, development of new terminal facilities at MBS Airport and improvements to Garfield Road from US10 to the airport and Mackinaw Road from US10 to Delta College.
The Bay Area Chamber also supports the new Great Lakes Bay Region Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote tourism in the region.
Perhaps the most important thing the Bay Area Chamber can do this year is to work with and assist local governmental leaders to initiate new programs on cost sharing of services between Bay County and our local cities and townships.
Pat O'Brien, Emcor, Inc., is the Chamber's vice chairman of the board for Public Affairs.