Chamber President's Commentary

by Michael D. Seward, CCE

March 4, 2014
By: Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

This past Tuesday evening, I had the honor of speaking to the membership of the AuGres Area Chamber of Commerce on the importance of a strong business and education partnership designed to improve the quality of local education.

The Bay Area Chamber has established an effective working relationship to accomplish that goal.

John Mertz, Superintendent, Essexville-Hampton Public Schools, is our Vice Chair of the Board for Education/Workforce Development. Greg Purtell, McLaren Bay Region, chairs our Business & Education Partnership Council. Ed Clements, Bay City Public Schools, leads our Connections Task Team, and Jill Urban, Edward Jones, chairs our Youth Leadership Bay County program.

A few of the specific education programs that are offered by the Bay Area Chamber include:

* 8th Grade Career Day
* Reading is Bay County?s Business
* Opportunity Connection Website
* Mock Job Interviews
* Youth Leadership Bay County
* High School Scholarships
* Business and Education Forum
* Educator/Employer Breakfast
* Principal for a Day

The Chamber also actively supports improved school facilities and increased state funding for education.

The Bay Area Chamber provides these services and programs because we recognize that it is a great investment in the future of our community. Literally thousands of students throughout Bay County are impacted by these Chamber programs.