President's Commentary by Michael D. Seward

January 25, 2012
By: Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Involvement in Government and Public Affairs, on behalf of the business community in the Bay Area, is a very 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 quality of living, and

(2) Implement a cooperative community and economic development program designed to create economic stability and growth with an emphasis on jobs, income and tax base expansion.

The Bay Area Chamber works with our federal and state legislators to effectively 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 actively 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.

This year, the Bay Area Chamber will work closely with our community and governmental leadership to develop an effective, inclusive Community Strategic Plan and provide additional quality public access to the Saginaw Bay.

Our business supports development of new terminal facilities at MBS Airport and works for improvements to Garfield Road from US-10 to the airport and Mackinaw Road from US10 to Delta College.

The Bay Area Chamber also worked in support of development of the new Great Lakes Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote tourism in the region.

Your Bay Area Chamber works with and assists local governmental leaders throughout Bay County to initiate new programs on cost sharing of services between Bay County and our local cities and townships. Every local governmental leader knows that they cannot continue to do business as usual.

Laurie Bush, Century 21 Signature Realty, is our 2012 Vice Chair of the Board for Public Affairs.