Building Communities. Building Relationships. Building Your Business.
SMCC REVIEW 2021
Despite the ongoing challenges, 2021 was a very fruitful year for the chamber and its membership. Read a full recap of the year's events and successes from CEO, John Johnson.
SMCC IN NUMBERS:
Number of Chambers: 3
Total Participants:
1000+
Cities Covered:
43
WHO WE ARE
Approximately ten years ago, the Gratiot Avenue Business Association was formed and worked closely with the Macomb First Business Alliance. In 2015, they combined and became the Gratiot Avenue Chamber of Commerce (GACC), serving all 9 communities along the corridor: Eastpointe, Roseville, Clinton Township, Mount Clemens, Chesterfield, Lennox, Richmond, the Village of New Haven and Macomb Township. These communities total more than 350,000 residents. The vitality of the Corridor has significant implications not only for the businesses located on or in near proximity, but also for the communities within which they are located, as well as Macomb County at large.
THE BENEFITS
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
The chamber staff assists in marketing your business and helping to build your base with monthly luncheons with educational programs and a chance to network.
A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Board leadership activity.
Community projects. Fundraiser participation.
GET ACCESS TO BUSINESSES IN 11 COMMUNITIES
GRATIOT AVENUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Supports 10 communities. Approximately 10 years ago, the Gratiot Avenue Business Association was formed and worked closely with the Macomb First Business Alliance. In 2015, they combined and became the Gratiot Avenue Chamber of Commerce (GACC).
WARREN CENTER LINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Third largest city in the state with a large business base. The Warren Center Line Chamber is part of the overseeing body to the Warren Community Foundation which hosts events such as: Run Warren and Cruisin' 53.
2019 - 2021 FINANCIAL GIVING
$375,500
Since 2019, between the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Gratiot Avenue Chamber of Commerce, the Warren Center Line Chamber of Commerce, the North Gratiot Cruise, Cruisin' 53 and Run Warren Center Line 5K through the Warren Community Foundation, and facilitating giving from our members and local partners, we have raised a grand total of $375,500 given to the following worthy organizations, and 2022 has just begun:
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ANCHOR BAY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
BENNY FREEMAN INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND PROJECT
CHESTERFIELD BOY SCOUTS
CHESTERFIELD FIRE DEPT. SMOKE DETECTOR PROGRAM
CHESTERFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CHESTERFIELD HONOR GUARD
CHESTERFIELD LIBRARY BUILDING FUND
CHESTERFIELD PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS
CHESTERFIELD POLICE DEPT. SHOP WITH A COP
CHESTERFIELD SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAM
CHESTERFIELD VETERANS MEMORIAL
CENTER LINE FESTIVAL FOUNDATION
CENTER LINE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAM
CENTER LINE K9 FOUNDATION
CLINTON TOWNSHIP INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND
EASTPOINTE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
FRIENDS OF CHESTERFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT
HARVEST TIME OUTREACH MINISTRIES
HOMELESS TO HOMEOWNER
KENTUCKY RESCUE MISSION
LIBERTY CHURCH WARREN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
MACOMB COUNTY WARMING CENTER
INTERFAITH CAREGIVERS
JUVENILE DIABETES FOUNDATION
NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION
VIETNAM VETERANS 154
FAMILIES AGAINST NARCOTICS
FRIENDS OF FOSTER KIDS
MCREST ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER
MCREST ELIMINATION RAFFLE
MCREST FUNDRAISER AT THE HOME OF PETER THOMAS
MCREST PENNY PER MILE PROGRAM
NEW BALTIMORE CIVIC CLUB
NEW BALTIMORE GOODFELLOWS
NEW BALTIMORE GOODFELLOWS KIDS CHRISTMAS
NEW BALTIMORE LIONS
NEW BALTIMORE MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
SELFRIDGE CHESTERFIELD LIONS
VETS RETURNING HOME
WARREN CIVIC CENTER SOUTH: LIBRARY
WARREN CIVIC CENTER SOUTH: AQUARIUM
WARREN CIVIC CENTER SOUTH: ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND
WARREN POLICE & FIRE BENEVOLENT ASSOCATION
WARREN WOODS TOWER HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES IN 2022
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
If you are interested in getting more involved with the Chamber and would like to take a leadership role you might want to participate with one of the following committees. Please give me a call if you have interest in any of the following:
Membership
Speakers Bureau
Events
Boat Outing
Golf Outing
Cruises
Running Events
Ambassadors
WARREN CENTER LINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Warren Area Chamber of Commerce will be announcing at the January luncheon its affiliation with the City of Center Line and will be known as the Warren Center Line Chamber of Commerce. Welcome aboard to our good friends in Center Line!
THE OPPORTUNITIES BELOW ARE EXCLUSIVELY OFFERED TO ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE CHAMBER CONNECT PROGRAM:
WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITY PRIOR TO THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY LUNCHEON
The Chamber is offering the opportunity to host a workshop on behalf of your business prior to one of the monthly luncheons. The Chamber will provide the venue, refreshments, and outreach to its following of nearly 500 businesses and elected officials. The rest is up to you. Your business would utilize 5 hours of your Chamber Connect Program marketing and consulting time obligation. The final equivalent cost to you is $1,250 which you have already paid for.
MONTHLY LUNCHEON SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WITH PRESENTATION OPPORTUNITY
The Chamber is offering the opportunity to be recognized as the co-sponsor of a regularly scheduled monthly luncheon with the opportunity to do a presentation as to your business offerings. The Chamber will market the luncheon that you choose and identify and promote your business as part of the marketing process for the specific luncheon. That promotion process includes the outreach to nearly 50 influential business and elected leaders. The rest is up to you. Your business would utilize 5 hours of your Chamber Connect Program marketing and consulting time obligation. The final equivalent cost to you is $1,250 which you have already paid for.
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2021 EVENT SPONSORS
As can be seen in the information above, we have raised a truly impressive and impactful amount of money through our community events organized through the Warren Community Foundation and the North Gratiot Cruise Foundation. All money after event costs are given to local nonprofits and organizations doing good works.
None of this would be remotely possible without support from the community businesses that step up and fund the events. We offer our sincerest thanks to them:
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SUCCESS: 2021 POLITICAL ACTION COALITION REPORT
The Chamber PAC (Political Action Coalition)* supported a number of successful candidates for public office in 2021. Support came in the form of endorsements, financial, consulting services, campaign management services or a combination of the aforementioned.
HERE ARE THE SUCCESSFULLY ELECTED CANDIDATES SUPPORTED BY THE CHAMBER:
Re-election of New Baltimore City Councilman Dave Duffy
State Representative Doug Wozniak for State Senator
Re-election of Eastpointe City Councilman Cardi DeMonaco
Re-election of City of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
Re-election of Sterling Heights Mayor Mike Taylor
We remain incredibly proud of the accomplishments of these elected officials and express gratitude on behalf of their constituents for their good works.
*THE SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE POLITICAL ACTION COALITION IS NOT AN OFFICIAL BODY OF THE CHAMBER. CHAMBER MEMBERS THAT HAVE INTEREST IN THE LOCAL POLITICAL APPARATUS MEET INFORMALLY TO INITIATE SUPPORT FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.
SUCCESS: 2020 POLITICAL ACTION COALITION REPORT
The Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce (SMCC) Political Action Coalition (PAC) had another highly successful election season. County wide seventeen candidates: Congressional, City Council, Township Trustees (7), Township Clerks (2), Township Treasurers (2), Township Supervisor, County Treasurer, County Commissioner and a Judgeship. Representing eight communities: City of Eastpointe, City of Utica, Chesterfield Township, Clinton Township, Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Washington Township and Macomb County were supported by endorsement, financial support, consulting services, campaign management services or a combination of the aformentioned.
ALL SUPPORTED CANDIDATES WERE SUCCESSFUL EXCEPT ONE.
In addition to its winning record, the PAC had a number of particularly proud accomplishments including:
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Kathleen Galen to the Judgeship in the Eastpointe 38th District Court
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Tammy Patton to Trustee in Clinton Township
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Tammy was the first African American elected to the Clinton Township Board of Trustees.
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The PAC also helped a great deal with the re-election campaign of our good friend Macomb County Treasurer Larry Rocca.
*THE SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE POLITICAL ACTION COALITION IS NOT AN OFFICIAL BODY OF THE CHAMBER. CHAMBER MEMBERS THAT HAVE INTEREST IN THE LOCAL POLITICAL APPARATUS MEET INFORMALLY TO INITIATE SUPPORT FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.
2021: MACOMB HOMELESS LEADERSHIP
Once again, the Chamber lead the way in terms of supporting the Homeless Community here in Macomb County, primarily through the Chamber's leadership role with MCREST (Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team) and the Macomb County Warming Center. This past year the Chamber played an integral role in providing safe harbor to as many as 250 individuals in a given night. The Chamber continued to play a leadership role in the culmination of the new MCREST Women and Children's Shelter in Mount Clemens. MCREST finally has its Certificate of Occupancy and is in the process of moving its administrative offices to this new facility. We are putting the finishing touches on the building and should be ready to house our Women and Children in the next 30-60 days. I would like to say a special thanks to the Chamber members that are also board members for MCREST: Robert Boccomino, Hank Luks, and Scott Zemens for their dual leadership roles. Great job, guys!
KENTUCKY RELIEF
The Warren Center Line Chamber of Commerce teamed up with Warren Mayor James Fouts and the Southern Macomb Warthogs in December of 2021 to provide financial and material relief to individuals and families in Kentucky whose communities were devastated by the outbreak of tornados.
“In this season of hope, it is vital that those of us who can step forward to help in any way we can,” said Warren Chamber of Commerce President John Johnson. “Together we can share our blessings to those whose lives have been turned upside down to let them know that we care for our fellow Americans in need.”
The Chamber donated $5,000 to Kentucky Relief efforts and helped spearhead a collection of blankets, jackets, gloves, shoes and medical supplies.
FEATURED MEMBER
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FEATURED MEMBER
The Benefits Group is your source for Michigan group health insurance. Based in Rochester Hills, TBG is an employee benefits broker dedicated to assisting client partners in creating a healthier workplace. We provide technology and services that are focused on providing quality benefits while engaging creative cost containment strategies. Available plans include life insurance, group health insurance, employee benefits programs (HR 360), travel medical insurancr, group and individual dental and vision insurance. Discount programs are also available through Telemedicine.
248.299.7000
FEATURED MEMBER
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OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS
Priority Waste was formed by a group of individuals that have spent a lifetime in the Waste and Recycling Industry. Their staff and management have over 75 years combined experience servicing customers throughout Michigan and much of North America. Priority Waste is the official sponsor of the Detroit Grand Prix. Based in Clinton Township, Priority Waste serves over 64 cities in Michigan.
MADISON HEIGHTS CAMPUS
27351 Dequindre Rd
Madison Heights, MI 48071
Ascension offers compassionate, personalized care within a wide range of specialties and programs to serve their communities. St. John Macomb Hospital and St. John Oakland Hospital merged in 2007, and today Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital has two campuses, one in Warren and one in Madison Heights.
WARREN CAMPUS
11800 Twelve Mile Rd
Warren, MI 48093
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OUR SUPPORTERS
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