There is a lot at
stake and the business
Reshaping Michigan
Making Business Part of the Discussion
There has been no shortage of strong opinions that
have been voiced since Governor Rick Snyder introduced
his comprehensive plan to dramatically reform Michigan’s
tax and budget structure. Most of the voices that have been
heard since the Governor’s plan was announced have been
in opposition to various components.
Nightly newscasts have been filled with images of
massive protest rallies sponsored by unions, retirees,
state employees and other special interest groups. Though
active behind the scenes in the discussion, the voice of the
business community has not been as visible in the public
debate. Many believe that must change.
“There is a lot at stake and the business community
needs to be at the forefront of the debate,” said Kristin
Beltzer, senior vice president of Government Relations
and Public Affairs for the Lansing Regional Chamber of
Commerce (LRCC). “For too long the business community
has been forced to make big sacrifices due to a poor tax
and regulatory system. That has to change.”
More than 200 business leaders recently joined with
state and local officials to engage in an interactive dialogue
House Speaker James “Jase” Bolger: “We’ve got to turn this state around. We must make real fixes.” Panelists (l-r):
House Speaker Bolger, House Minority Leader Richard Hammel, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dave Hildenbrand
and Snyder administration advisor Dick Posthumus.
april2011
with a panel of state legislative leaders and Governor
Snyder’s special legislative advisor, Dick Posthumus.
The setting was the annual Chambers of Commerce
Legislative Dinner, which was sponsored by AT & T. Joining
Posthumus on the panel were Speaker of the House Rep.
James “Jase” Bolger (R-Marshall), House Minority Leader
Rep. Richard Hammel (D-Flushing) and Assistant Senate
Majority Leader Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell).
There was agreement among the group that political
leaders in both parties have for too long been guilty of
“papering over” problems and advancing temporary
solutions that ignored the real problems Michigan
has been facing. Many in the crowd agreed that those
problems stem in large part to tax and regulatory policies
that discourage business investment and job growth. It
was noted that Michigan now has the 48th worst business
climate in the country and ranks dead last in tax climate.
Agreements quickly ended when the discussion
turned to legislative passage of the Snyder plan. Moderator
Tim Skubick zeroed in on the Snyder proposal to impose a
4 percent tax on pensions.
community needs to
be at the forefront
of the debate.
“It is politically difficult,” conceded Speaker Bolger.
“I doubt there will be any (democratic) votes for the
pension tax,” said Rep. Hammel.
Posthumus admitted the Governor would have to
compromise on parts of his plan.
“There are always going to be changes,” said
Posthumus. “We are open to changes.”
Governor Snyder’s tax plan includes the elimination
of the Michigan Business Tax, replacing it with a 6 percent
corporate income tax. Panelists were divided along party
lines over the Skubick question of whether individual
citizens would be financing large tax breaks for business.
“Senior citizens and union members are being asked
to carry the freight on this,” said Rep. Hammel.
“There is no question the state is broke,” said
Posthumus. “We have to have a tax policy that will
encourage growth. If we unleash the power of small
business, we will create jobs.”
Panelists also highlighted their differences on Gov.
Snyder’s proposal to cut education spending, and the
extent to which public employees should be expected to
make further wage and benefit concessions. The lack of
concrete solutions being offered concerned Ron Simon
who attended the forum.
“Everyone wants to do the job they were elected to
do,” said Simon who chairs the LRCC Board of Directors. “I
want to know if they are willing to make hard choices.”
The public dialogue underscores the high stakes and
raw emotion involved in the state’s tax and budget debate.
Those who attended the Legislative Dinner agreed that it
is time for the business community to get involved in the
discussion at a higher level.
“Our members have to be engaged,” said Beltzer.
If there was a note of optimism that could be heard
during the evening, it was in the agreement among the
panelists that partisan differences must be resolved and
solutions have to be agreed upon in the very near future.
That sentiment was best summed up by Speaker Bolger.
“We’ve got to turn this state around. We have to make
real fixes.”
 2010
April Focus 2011

A Message from the President

Advocacy and Economic Development
Working Together to Support the Region
August

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce has long been a respected leader in promoting pro-business policies that
encourage growth and investment in our community. As the voice of the regional business community, we recognize the
synergy between advocacy and economic development.
Now more than ever, the Lansing Regional Chamber strongly feels that our members must be educated and engaged in
the issues and policy debates that will affect the future of our state and region. That’s why in 2011 we are aggressively
developing a number of important public policy forums designed to facilitate broader awareness and dialogue in the
business community surrounding priority issues.
We are proud of the fact that Governor Rick Snyder chose to promote his tax and budget reform plan before the Economic
Tim Daman Club of Greater Lansing. This event provided the business community an unfiltered opportunity to better understand
President and CEO the Governor’s point of view in what is a historic debate in Lansing. In recent weeks, the Chamber has also sponsored a
Lansing Regional Mid-Michigan Delegation Breakfast at which local lawmakers discussed their legislative priorities. We again hosted the
Chamber of Commerce Chambers of Commerce Legislative Dinner which brought leading lawmakers and Snyder administration representative
Dick Posthumus together to discuss the budget package.

Now more than ever, the Lansing
Regional Chamber strongly
feels that our members must be
educated and engaged in the issues
and policy debates that will affect
the future of our state and region.
Public policy at the local level remains a priority focus in our advocacy efforts. On May 14, the Economic Club will host
its third annual forum on regionalism, which has proven to be a highly important discussion focusing on efforts to develop
increased regional collaboration among local governmental officials.
We must have sound public policy and elected officials that understand the importance of how jobs are created in order to
enhance business attraction and retention efforts in our community. The Lansing Regional Chamber urges all our members
to join with us in our continuing efforts to build a better, more prosperous region.

Thank you to our sponsors of the

Chambers of Commerce Legislative Dinner

2
C a l e n d a r
The Chamber’s address is 500 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 200, Lansing, MI 48912.
Ap r il
Friday, April 8
Accounting Requirements for Feder-
al Contractors, 8 - 11 a.m., Lansing Regional
Chamber of Commerce, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Ste.
200, Lansing, MI 48912. Designed to assist business
people in establishing an accounting system that will
be found acceptable by the federal government. Kevin
Grimes will explain the role of the Defense Contract
Audit Agency. This is a free event, but space is limited.
Please RSVP to Kim Langenberg at 517-853-6445 or
klangenberg@lansingchamber.org
Tuesday, April 12
Member Mixer, 5 - 7 p.m., The Exchange of
Lansing, 314 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48933.
$10 member, $30 non-member. Includes hors
d’oeuvres.
Thursday, April 14
Economic Club, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Kel-
logg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing.
Speaker: Roger Curtis, president, Michigan Interna-
tional Speedway. Sponsored by Dean Transportation.
Program begins at noon; please arrive early for reg-
istration & networking. Single tickets $40, or tables
of eight $300 (includes lunch). Pre-registration is
required. To register for this event please visit www.
lansingchamber.org.
Wednesday, April 20
East Lansing / Meridian Government
Relations Committee, 8 – 9 a.m. Walnut Hills
Country Club, 2874 Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing,
MI 48823. The East Lansing / Meridian Government
Relations Committee meets the third Wednesday of
each month to provide a forum for business lead-
ers to discuss important issues affecting East Lansing
and Meridian Township. To ensure adequate seating,
please RSVP to Jason Green at jgreen@lansingcham-
ber.org.
Event Cost is complimentary
for these enhanced membership
levels:
Bronze Gold
Silver Platinum
April Focus 2011
Wednesday, May 18
East Lansing / Meridian Government Rela-
tions Committee, 8 – 9 a.m. Walnut Hills Country
Club, 2874 Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823.
The East Lansing / Meridian Government Relations
Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month
to provide a forum for business leaders to discuss
important issues affecting East Lansing and Meridian
Township. To ensure adequate seating, please RSVP to
Jason Green at jgreen@lansingchamber.org.
Thursday, May 19
Economic Club, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Kellogg
Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing. Regional
Discussion, “The Business of Education”. Sponsored
by Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes. Program begins
at noon; please arrive early for registration & net-
working. Single tickets $40, or tables of eight $300
(includes lunch). Pre-registration is required. To reg-
ister for this event please visit www.lansingchamber.
org.
M ay
Wednesday, May 4
Delta Government Relations Committee,
8 – 9 a.m. Lexington Lansing Hotel, 925 S. Creyts
Rd., Lansing, MI 48917. The Delta Government Rela-
tions Committee meets the first Wednesday of each
month to provide a forum for business leaders to dis-
cuss important issues affecting Delta Township. To
ensure adequate seating, please RSVP to Jason Green
at jgreen@lansingchamber.org.
Tuesday, May 10
Member Mixer, 5 - 7 p.m., Becky Beauchine
Kulka Diamonds & Fine Jewelry, 3544 Meridian
Crossing, Ste. 150, Okemos, MI 48864. $10 mem-
ber, $30 non-member. Includes hors d’oeuvres.
Not a member and
interested in becoming one?
Please contact the Lansing
Regional Chamber of
Commerce at 517-487-6340
or visit our website
www.lansingchamber.org
3
 Lansing Regional
2010
April Focus 2011

Chamber of Commerce
2011 Board of
Directors
Currie Allstate Insurance Agency Materials Management Solutions, LLC
Insurance Logistics Officers
August

Ms. Pam Currie Mr. Gregory Bousquet CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Ron Simon Auto-Owners Insurance Company
4787 Okemos Rd., Okemos, MI 48864-1634 44565 White Pine Circle East, Northville, MI 48168
PAST CHAIR
Phone: (517) 349-4820 Fax: (517) 349-8340 Phone: (248) 231-8120 Vic Verchereau Farm Bureau Insurance Company
www.allstateagencies.com/PamCurrie/Welcome www.mmsolutions.us.com CHAIR ELECT
Nancy McKeague Michigan Hospital Association
Delphi Glass Moore Plumbing Shop, Inc. LEGAL COUNSEL
Retail Plumbing & Heating Contractors Jeff Hicks Hicks & Mullett, PLLC
TREASURER
Ms. Stacy Daniels Mr. Dennis Moore
Michelle Gallagher Gallagher & Associates
3380 E. Jolly Rd., Lansing, MI 48910 13150 Lawson Rd., Grand Ledge, MI 48837 PRESIDENT
Phone: (800) 248-2048 Fax: (517) 394-4685 Phone: (517) 622-1131 Fax: (517) 622-1120 Tim Daman Lansing Regional Chamber
www.delphiglass.com www.mooreplumbingheating.com
DIVISION DIRECTORS
Financial Technology, Inc. North Winds Heating & Cooling, Inc. Int’l Business Services
Employee Benefit Programs Heating & Cooling Contractors Jason Sanders Fifth Third Bank
Mr. C. Richard Herrold Ms. Barb Krejcik Government Relations
1500 Abbott Rd., Ste. 150, East Lansing, MI 48823 2861 Jolly Rd., Okemos, MI 48864-3667 Kevin McKinney McKinney & Associates
MARKETING & COMMUNICATION
Phone: (517) 351-8600 Ext:102 Phone: (517) 351-6171 Fax: (517) 337-5615 Paula Cunningham Capitol National Bank
Fax: (517) 351-7390 www.northwindsusa.com MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
www.financialtec.com Steven Hess Accident Fund Insurance Company of America
Northstar Pools, LLC
Governmental Consultant Services, Inc Swimming Pool Plaster AT-LARGE
Governmental Consultants Mr. Thomas K. Byrne Melanie Bergeron Two Men & A Truck International
Ms. Nell Kuhnmuench 1042 Benstein, Ste. 101, Walled Lake, MI 48390 Lon Bohannon Neogen Corporation
John Brown Jackson National Life Insurance Company
120 N. Washington Sq., Ste. 110, Lansing, MI 48933 Phone: (248) 669-1999 Fax: (248) 669-4999
Denyse Ferguson LEAP
Phone: (517) 484-6216 Fax: (517) 484-0140 Patrick Dean Dean Transportation
www.gcsionline.com Sabre Graphics, LLC Joe Ford Netvantage Marketing
Graphic Designers Pat Gillespie Gillespie Group
Julie Brixie – Meridian Township Treasurer’s Mr. Michael Hammond Mark Kellogg Fraser Trebilcock
Bill Kimble C2AE
Office 306 N. Cottage St., Potterville, MI 48876
J. Peter Lark Lansing Board of Water and Light
Government www.sabregraphicsllc.com Deborah Muchmore Marketing Resource Group
Ms. Julie Brixie David Mulder Meijer
5151 Marsh Rd., Okemos, MI 48864 Smith Barney Morgan Stanley Brian Priester LSJ Media
Phone: (517) 853-4144 Fax: (517) 853-4141 Financial Planning Consultants Timothy Salisbury PNC Bank
Jean G. Schtokal Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith
www.meridian.mi.us Mr. Geoff Streit
Heather Shawa-DeCook Demmer Corporation
2900 West Rd., Ste. 300, East Lansing, MI 48823 Dennis Swan Sparrow Health Systems
Lansing Charter Academy Phone: (517) 203-2880 Ryan Vartoogian Spartan Internet
Schools-Charter Steve Webster Michigan State University
Mr. Chris Thomspon Uncle Bob’s Self Storage
3300 Express Court, Lansing, MI 48910 Ms Jennifer Williams FOCUS
Phone: (517) 882-9585 Fax: (517) 882-9587 7551 Coleman Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823 Editor
www.lansingcharteracademies.com Phone: (517) 339-0397 Fax: (517) 575-0034 Ross Woodstock
Printing
www.unclebobs.com
Spartan Printing
Lentz USA Service Centers Mailing
Automobile Repair & Service Hot Prospects Direct
Mr. Greg Lentz Cover Photo
5035 S. Martin Luther King, Lansing, MI 48910 Courtesy of Trumpie Photography
Phone: (517) 394-4141 Fax: (517) 394-6941
www.lentzusa.com Advertisers
Accident Fund.........................................................3
Blue Cross Blue Shield .........................................12

Please remember to use the member login portion of the Chamber website to
keep your contact information up-to-date. This will ensure that you receive all
Chamber communications in a timely manner. Contact us at 517.487.6340 if you
have any questions or are not receiving our communications.

4
 April Focus 2011
Ingham County Chambers of Commerce
Hits Business Legislative Dinner
With Costly House Minority Leader
Pollution Fees Richard Hammel (D-Mt. Mor-
ris Twp.): “I doubt there will be
any (democratic) votes for the
The Ingham County Board of Com- pension tax.” Looking on l-r
missioners recently voted to adopt a are: House Speaker Jase Bolger
series of new fees on county busi- (R-Marshall), Assistant Senate
Majority Leader Dave Hilden-
nesses that deal with toxic substances. brand (R-Lowell) and Snyder
The county’s “Pollution Prevention administration advisor Dick
Regulation” (P2) was adopted despite Posthumus.
the staunch opposition from business
groups led by the Lansing Regional
Chamber of Commerce (LRCC). The
business community was successful in
convincing Commissioners to reduce
fines and fees and make a number of
other compliance changes from what
had originally been proposed.
“The P2 fee places a significant
financial and reporting burden on
both small and large businesses,”
said Kristin Beltzer, LRCC senior vice ABOVE: John Truscott and Kelly Rossman of Truscott Rossman
president of Government Relations were among the crowd of more than 200 that enjoyed the panel
discussion.
and Public Affairs. “We are grateful,
however, that Commissioners scaled Veteran capitol correspondent Tim Skubick kept the discussion
lively and informative.
back what they admit is an imperfect
regulation.”
The P2 program calls for report-
ing all Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) materials without a volume
threshold. Business groups argued
that the county’s program exceeds
state and federal regulations, affect-
ing more businesses and involving
more materials.

5
April Focus 2011
Materials Management Solutions Selected as
Foreign Trade Zone Operator
Capital Region Airport Authority
recently announced that Materials Man-
agement Solutions, LLC (MMS) has been
selected as operator for Foreign Trade
Zone (FTZ) No. 275. As FTZ operator,
MMS will assist area businesses in under-
standing how to access the advantages of
the FTZ centered at Capital Region Interna-
tional Airport.
“MMS is pleased to be selected as the
operator for the airport and we are eager
to help businesses tap into this valuable
program,” said Barry Griesinger, president
of Materials Management Solutions, LLC.
Foreign Trade Zone Seminars Planned
Throughout the Region
6
“We can evaluate each situation and calculate the
amount of real dollar savings a company can real-
ize by utilizing FTZ No. 275. There are several other
non-monetary benefits and efficiencies that can also
be gained through a Foreign Trade Zone.”
Formed in 1999, MMS began its operations
providing JIT (just in time) assembly, sequencing
and distribution services to the Tier One Automo-
tive market. MMS began offering additional services
to non-automotive customers shortly thereafter,
in packaging and containerization, transportation
logistics and storeroom management. As the com-
pany grew, MMS became a major provider of supply
chain management services for manufacturers and
Port Lansing/Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) No.
275 is offering a series of seminars throughout the
region to educate businesses on utilizing Port Lan-
sing to improve efficiency and avoid delays. The next
seminar is scheduled for April 13 at the MSU Henry
Center for Executive Development. Those attending
the seminar will learn of FTZ options and opera-
tions and international financing from experienced
FTZ operators. John Sztykiel, president and CEO of
Spartan Motors, Inc. will be the keynote speaker for
distributors.
FTZ’s are designated geographic areas that pro-
vide customs privileges to companies that help them
compete globally. Participating companies can avoid
duties completely, or reduce duties and other logis-
tics related expenses.
Port Lansing and FTZ No. 275 are authorized by
the Foreign Trade Zone Board in Washington, D.C.
and U.S. Customs & Border Protection to serve busi-
nesses involved in global commerce throughout an
eight county region including Ingham, Eaton, Clin-
ton, Jackson, Shiawassee, Livingston, Gratiot and
Isabella Counties.
the Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan luncheon.
Visit http://GBClub.msu.edu to register. FTZ No. 275
has also recently expanded to include Shiawassee
County. A seminar will be held April 26th at Bak-
er College in Owosso. Livingston County will host a
seminar at Mott Community College Livingston Cen-
ter on May 11, 2011. For specific times, locations
and registration information visit www.portlansing.
com or call Brent Case at 517.886.3716.

Economic Club Features High-Powered Speaker Lineup
Thomas Cooley Law School president, dean and pro-
fessor Don LeDuc was the speaker at the January 13
Economic Club luncheon.
From Governor Rick Snyder to Michigan Internation-
al Speedway (MIS) President Roger Curtis, the Economic
Club of Greater Lansing has revved up a power-packed line-
up of speakers that has helped generate record attendance
during the 2011 series. The success is the result of months
The Chamber’s March Member Mixer was held at American Flooring at Central Park Place in Okemos. Enjoying a
good time are (l-r): Peter Ruffing, Mike Froh, Tiffany Dowling and Jennifer Hodges.
of hard work and strategic planning by a dedicated group
of volunteers that comprise the Lansing Regional Cham-
ber’s Economic Club committee.
“The committee has worked diligently to offer club
members a diverse line-up of speakers that represent the
pillars of our region’s economy and respected innovators,
as well as traditionally important topics such as health care
and the annual economic outlook,” said Deborah Much-
more, vice president of Marketing Resource Group and
chair of the Economic Club committee.
The commitment to diverse programming, leadership
and innovation has been evident in the first few months
of the year. Thomas M. Cooley Law School President Don
LeDuc, Strategic Staffing Solution’s Cindy Pasky, and Dem-
mer Corporation CEO Bill Demmer offered insights into
their organizations’ growth and vision for the future. The
roster for future months includes the Roger Curtis presen-
tation on April 14 as well as the third annual regionalism
forum: “The Business of Education,” on May 19. Later this
year, Sparrow Health System CEO Dennis Swan will keynote
the luncheon as part of the annual Health Care Forum on
October 6.
April Focus 2011
The Economic Club of Greater Lansing scored a major
coup in March when Governor Snyder agreed to address a
record turnout at the Lansing Center. The Governor talked
about his tax reform and budget package aimed at a Michi-
gan turnaround.
“We were very proud to host Governor Snyder par-
ticularly as his key proposals for moving Michigan ahead
are being debated,” said Muchmore.
Planning for the 2012 Economic Club is well under-
way. Committee members say they are committed to
continue the momentum that is being experienced and
offer the community another selection of outstanding pro-
grams.
Chamber
Milestones
We’d like to offer a special salute to these
great organizations that reached mile-
stone anniversaries as Chamber members
this month. Thank you for your continued
support through the years!
WILX-TV......................................................... 50 years
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood.............. 40 years
MAYOTTEgroup Architects.............................. 25 years
Affordable Self Storage................................... 20 years
MIRS-Michigan Information &
Research Service.................................... 15 years
First Financial Bank........................................ 10 years
The Sterling Group –Lakewood Apartments...... 5 years
S & S Die Co..................................................... 5 years
Michigan Commercial Insurance Mutual.......... 5 years
Jalapeno’s......................................................... 5 years
Lowe Law Firm, P.C........................................... 5 years
Camera Mart, Inc............................................. 5 years
7
April Focus 2011
PEOPLE NEWS
The Lansing franchise of TWO
MEN AND A TRUCK® has
added Charles Gibbons to
the office team as its newest
customer service representa-
tive.
Maner Costerisan is pleased to announce the promo-
tions of Joe DeLuca and Dana J. Garwood, CPA, CMA
to senior manager and Kristy Moore, CPA, Katie A.
Sterling, CPA and Jeffrey L. Straus, CPA to manager.
McLaren Health Care welcomes Steven Serra as the
new chief executive officer of McLaren Homecare Group.
Serra has more than 30 years of experience in the home
medical equipment industry.
Brandee Alexander is the newest medical assistant to
join the Doctor’s Approach staff.
The Women’s Council of REALTORS Lansing Chapter
won the ATHENA Organizational Leadership award, the
first award given of this kind by The Links (Lansing/East
Lansing) organization at its White Rose Gala.
Michigan Legislative Consultants recently added
Anthony Des Chenes of DeWitt and Cia Segerlind of
Portland to its lobbying team.
Michael E. Cavanaugh, vice
president of Fraser Trebil-
cock, was named Michigan
Lawyers Weekly “Leaders in the
Law,” and will be recognized at
a luncheon on Tuesday, March
15.
Motion Marketing & Media (M3) hired Lindsey
Whitehill and Lisa Twenter to meet the increasing needs
of clients in mid-Michigan and throughout the state.
8
Send your news to Aubrey Zimmerman at
azimmerman@lansingchamber.org
Holly Thompson, William- Olivet College’s Office of College Relations and Office of
ston’s City Clerk, has received Enrollment Management were recently recognized by the
the 2010 Community Involve- Sixth District of the American Advertising Federation for
ment Project Award from the the college’s 2010 Viewbook.
Ingham County Animal Shelter.
Financial Technology, Inc., is pleased to announce that
Theodore L. Hollenbeck has joined the company.
COMPANY NEWS Michael Sanders Scott Chernich
TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS) was recog-
nized, at the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service
Roundtable in Las Vegas, as a J.D. Power 2011 Customer
Service Champion—one of only 40 companies to have
earned the distinction this year.
Peckham has achieved ISO certification for every business
line (Manufacturing, Business Services, Environmental
Services and Supply Chain Solutions). Paul Millenbach Michael Homier
Matt Hrebec Jennifer Kildea Dewane
The Executive Committee at Foster Swift Collins &
Delta Waverly Rotary, Kiwanis of Downtown Lan- Smith, P.C. for 2011 is comprised of: Michael Sanders,
sing, and Lunch with a Purpose joined forces to raise Scott Chernich, Paul Millenbach, Michael Homier,
much needed sheet and towel sets for St. Vincent’s Cath-
Matt Hrebec and Jennifer Kildea Dewane.
olic Charities. St. Vincent’s houses approximately 200
individuals on a monthly basis through their refugee relo- Truscott Rossman was honored by the East Central Dis-
cation, housing for the homeless, and children who stay
trict of the Public Relations Society of America with a 2010
at the STVCC Childrens Home. (In photo from left to right.
Diamond Award for its “Message in a Bottle” public affairs
Pamela Kreiner, John Folino, Andrea Seka, Jane Mitchell,
tactic.
and Dan Barnes.)

Edge Partnerships recently won two mid-Michigan
ADDY Awards from the American Advertising Federation
for the agency’s creative work.
Liquid Web invented a proprietary technology called
‘SMART SERVERS’ that blends the best of managed dedicat-
ed server hosting with the flexibility of Cloud Computing.
Mid-Michigan Business Travel Coalition, a coalition
of business, educational and governmental organizations
committed to promoting regional air service development
has unveiled a new web site www.mitravelcoalition.com
designed to help increase awareness of economic devel-
opment initiatives and attract more airline service to the
Capital Region International Airport.
Executives at the East Lansing, Michigan, office of The
Doctors Company held a reception hosting local and
regional leaders on March 8.
Six String Place celebrated the Grand Opening of their
new recording studio during Williamston’s March Musical
Madness Event on March 4.
Healing Hands Massage Therapy is a new business at
162 W. Grand River Ave. in downtown Williamston (inside
Tina Brookhouse Fitness Studio). Veterans receive a
reduced rate, all the time. 517-614-6719.
April Focus 2011
CB Richard Ellis has been named the premier global
brand in commercial real estate, according to a survey of
industry professionals worldwide by The Lipsey Company.
McLaren Health Plan’s coverage area has expanded
to include all of Isabella County following the Michigan
Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation’s approval on
Dec. 20, 2010.
Macintyre & Cowen ReMax Real Estate Profession-
als recently held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the grand
opening of their new office located at 2824 E. Grand River
in Lansing.
Clark Construction Company has been named gen-
eral contractor for the major renovation of two student
housing units at Michigan State University. Construc-
tion work at MSU’s Bailey and Rather Halls is expected to
Paradise Pet Spa is a new business at 502 E. Grand River begin in May, 2011.
in Williamston, a professional pet groomer by appoint-
ment. Hobbs+Black Associates has been awarded the Tucson
Medical Center’s West Hospital project in Tucson, Arizona.
Olivet College was recently named to U.S. News & World
Report’s list of Most Popular Liberal Arts Colleges.
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9
April Focus 2011
Abraham & Gaffney, CPA, PC, Since 2004
Affordable Self Storage, Since 1991
Aging Services of Michigan, Since 1994
Airway Oxygen, Since 1998
Asbestos Abatement Inc., Since 2010
AT&T, Since 1953
Baker Drivetrain, Since 2000
Beattie Master Pool & Spa, Since 2009
Boji Group, Since 2002
Camera Mart, Inc., Since 2006
Capital Area Center for Independent Living,
Since 2000
Capital Urological Associates, Since 2005
Cawood Building Co., Since 1994
Clark Construction Company, Inc., Since 1960
Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood, Since 1971
Cottages Decorating, Since 1999
Delhi Charter Township Downtown Development
Authority, Since 1994
Delta Side Business Association, Since 2009
Douglas Steel Company, Since 1989
Ethan Allen Design Studio, Since 2009
BWL ENERGY SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS CUSTOMERS
The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL)
offers the Hometown Energy Savers® Business
Program to assist their business customers that
implement energy efficiency projects. By taking
advantage of this program, BWL electric service
customers can:
• Reduce the capital cost of new ener-
gy efficiency equipment
• Cut operating expenses
• Increase comfort for customers and
employees
• Improve the bottom line
10
First Financial Bank, Since 2001
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, Since 1987
Grand Hotel Company, Since 1990
Hasselbring-Clark Company, Since 1958
Hot Traxx Entertainment, Since 2007
Independent Bank, Since 1997
Ingham Regional Medical Center, Since 1978
Intercept Security, Since 1998
Inventure Enterprises, Inc., Since 2009
J&L Restoration & Cleaning, Since 1998
Jalapeno’s, Since 2006
JMH Cleaning Service, Since 2010
Kolt Communications, Inc., Since 2003
LAFCU, Since 1992
Lansing Quality Suites Hotel, Since 1988
Liberty Coin Service, Since 1993
Lowe Law Firm, P.C., Since 2006
MAYOTTEgroup Architects, Since 1986
Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Since 1990
Michigan Commercial Insurance Mutual,
Since 2006
Michigan High School Athletic Association,
Since 1998
The following energy efficiency programs are
available:
Prescriptive Incentive
Get cash incentives for the replacement of
less efficient equipment such as lighting, refrigera-
tion, variable speed drives and more. All eligible
customers can select from a prescribed list of mea-
sures with set incentive amounts.
Custom Incentive
If you have an efficiency project that does not
qualify for a prescriptive incentive, it may be eli-
gible for a custom incentive that is designed for
more complicated projects or those that incorpo-
rate leading edge technologies.
MIRS - Michigan Information & Research Service,
Since 1996
North Grand River Cooperative, Inc., Since 1998
Northside Service Inc., Since 2008
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network,
Since 2010
Passageways Travel an American Express
Representative, Since 2010
Plante & Moran, CPAs, Since 1977
Printwell Acquisitions, Inc., Since 2007
Rely Local, Since 2010
RSDC of Michigan, Since 1998
S & S Die Co., Since 2006
Safe Records Center, LLC, Since 1995
Stony Point Communications, Inc., Since 1995
The Sterling Group - Lakewood Apartments,
Since 2006
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Since 1973
Titan Equipment, Since 2009
W. D. Guerre & Associates, Since 1957
Wal-Mart, Since 2004
WILX-TV, Since 1961
Small Business Building Thermostat
This program provides the installation of a
FREE programmable thermostat at no cost to qual-
ifying small businesses that use air-conditioning to
cool and natural gas to heat.
Learn More
Full program descriptions and application
forms are available online at www.lbwl.com/htes.
asp or by calling 877-NRG-LBWL (674-5295) to
speak with a representative.
 April Focus 2011
Chamber Members Receive
Accident Fund Dividend Checks
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) recent-
ly distributed more than $117,171 in dividends through the
Accident Fund Insurance Company of America Workers Com- Hacker King Sherry Insurance Agency (l-r):
pensation Group Program. The dividends averaged $740 and Ed Sherry and Tim Daman (LRCC)
were paid to 162 participants. The LRCC/Accident Fund program
allows participating members a 5 percent up-front premium sav-
ings in addition to a dividend when the group performs well.
Since 2004, LRCC members have received in excess of $1.3 mil-
lion in dividends through their participation in the Accident
Fund program.
Arnouts & Methner Insurance Agency (l-r): Candace Griffiths, Hol-
ly Franks, Gary Teske, Jamie Lepard, Judith Hughes-Sanford, Tony
DeLuca (LRCC) and Cynthia Eiseler (LRCC)

Lyman & Sheets Insurance Agency (L-r): Tony DeLuca

(LRCC), Matt Waligorski, Cynthia Eiseler (LRCC), Dave
Drayton, Del Dreja and Peter DeWan

David Chapman
Agency (l-r):
Tony DeLuca
(LRCC), Nathan
Shinberg Insurance Chapman, Curt
Agency (l-r): Tim Peterson, David
Daman (LRCC) and Chapman, Tim
Chris O’Leary Daman (LRCC)
and Cynthia
Eiseler (LRCC)
 PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
The Stadium District PAID
500 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 200 LANSING, MI
Lansing, MI 48912 PERMIT NO. 622
Ph. 517.487.6340
lansingchamber.org
Making Business Part of the Discussion
Reshaping Michigan