Building Communities. Building Relationships. Building Your Business.
June 8, 2025
​
Officials to break ground Monday for new McDonald’s in Sterling Heights
"The longtime owner of area McDonald’s franchise restaurants is due to break ground Monday on a new eatery in northern Sterling Heights.
​
The Datta Organization, led by father-son team of Sujit and Ovi Datta, will own and operate the restaurant, located at 44923 Mound Road and Dobry Drive, next to the Raices Mexican Cantina..."
May 29, 2025
​
Summer festival season opens this weekend in Center Line, Warren
"Macomb County’s first major festival gets underway this weekend with a one-two punch of fun and frolic as shared and individual events will be held in Center Line and Warren.
​
The Center Line Independence Festival takes place in the 10 Mile-Van Dyke area, while the Warren Summer Kickoff launches at the Civic Center South/Maybelle Burnette Library and City Hall.
​
On Sunday, both communities will be part of Cruisin’ 53, a classic car show and parade down Van Dyke Avenue (aka M-53). All three are free to attend..."
May 21, 2025
​
Two Macomb County cities team up to bring family friendly festivals and weekend fun
"Summer is just around the corner, and that means festivals and seasonal outdoor fun. “Live in the D‘s” April Morton was live in Center Line, to give us a sneak peek at some upcoming weekend events happening in Macomb County.
​
“Nine years ago, we decided to take our annual fireworks, and change it into a weekend-long fest,” said Bob Binson, Mayor of Center Line. He’s talking about the Center Line Independence Festival, happening the weekend of May 30th. The family-friendly event will feature carnival rides, food, and plenty of activities. This year the fest is coinciding with a big event happening in Warren."
May 20, 2025
​
Sterling Heights chamber groups may fight out name skirmish in court
"The creation of a new chamber of commerce group with a familiar sounding name in central Macomb County has prompted threats of a lawsuit.
​
Officials with the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce formally launched the Sterling Heights Chamber of Commerce earlier this month. As an affiliate of the Southeast Chamber, the Sterling chamber serves the communities of Sterling Heights, Utica, Shelby Township, and Washington Township.
​
But leaders with Connect Macomb — formerly known as the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry — believe the new group’s name can lead confusion over the organizations..."
April 23, 2025
​
Utica Puppy Parade supports animal rescue and support groups
"April is Prevention of Cruelty Month in Utica and to celebrate, the annual Puppy Parade on Saturday, April 26 will honor area rescues and five dogs that were victims of abuse or neglect.
​
“The Utica Puppy Parade grows every year,” said Mayor Gus Calandrino. “Our goal is to make this event the biggest gathering of pet protectors in the entire state of Michigan...”
February 17, 2025
​
John Johnson, SE MI Chamber of Commerce CEO discusses fighting homelessness in the wake of the two children who froze to death last week.
"On February 17, 2025, SMCC CEO John Johnson joined Paul W. Smith’s radio show to discuss homelessness and MCREST’s mission in the wake of a tragic loss of two children to the cold. As Board President of MCREST, Johnson emphasized the need for expanded shelter resources and community support to prevent future tragedies. He also highlighted MCREST’s Men’s Shelter capital campaign, urging businesses and individuals to take action..."
January 3, 2025
​
North Gratiot Cruise proceeds donated to local groups
"Local groups and causes are benefitting from last fall’s North Gratiot Cruise in Chesterfield Township. John Johnson, chairperson of the North Gratiot Cruise Foundation, recently presented checks totaling more than $6,000 to three organizations and two township departments. The donations were generated from the 2024 cruise in late September..."
December 21, 2024
​
Macomb Republican lawmakers, restaurant owners plot to stop tipped-wage law
"Many restaurant and bar owners, servers and bartenders, and Republican lawmakers fear the law could lead to restaurants struggling and closing because they have to pay higher wages and raise prices and/or employees will quit because customers will reduce their tips and the servers won't make as much money..."
September 18, 2024
​
North Gratiot Cruise ready to roll
Sept. 28
"Macomb County is gearing up for a fun-packed “traffic jam” that brings smiles to thousands of faces each year.
​
Here comes the North Gratiot Cruise.
​
The ever-expanding event on Sept. 28 features a crowd-pleasing car parade, a car show, a kids’ play area, live music, food and a 5K run.
And, this year, the family-friendly experience will include a craft show and will introduce a cornhole tournament and a tailgate zone with a giant-screen television screen for football fans to keep an eye on their favorite games..."
May 31, 2024
​
goHomePort RV Service & Repairs Receives Congressional Recognition at Ribbon Cutting for New Shop in Warren, MI
"goHomePort— launched in 2020 with a mission to make RV ownership easy— received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition "in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community" from the office of Congressman John James of Michigan's 10th District. The certificate was presented at the ribbon cutting for its newest RV Service and Repairs shop in Metro Detroit..."
April 29, 2024
​
Mount Clemens, Warren-Center Line to promote each other’s car shows
"In recent years, the kickoff of the annual car show season has proven to be a cause for dissension between gearheads in the Mount Clemens and their counterparts in the Warren-Center Line area.
​
Because organizers presented the season’s debut on the same day in the past, classic car lovers would have to choose between one event over the other..."
April 28, 2024
​
Utica Puppy Parade was a pawsome good time
"Plenty of canines and their owners turned out for Saturday’s Annual Utica Puppy Parade celebrating Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.
​
The parade, sponsored by the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Utica Mayor Gus Calandrino, began at Grant Park and ended at the Pioneer Dog Park Saturday..."
April 15, 2024
​
Chamber of commerce, EastSide Angels host Shark Tank
"Some local entrepreneurs are getting ready to swim with the sharks on April 25, when the EastSide Angels and the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce (SMCC) host a Shark Tank event in Macomb County.
​
The Shark Tank is a live startup investment event. It will be held at Andiamo, located at 7096 E. 14 Mile Road in Warren. The event will begin with networking at about 10:30 a.m. The Shark Tank runs from about 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m..."
April 14, 2024
​
JARS Cannabis celebrates grand opening of its Chesterfield Twp. storefront
"JARS Cannabis held a grand opening event and ribbon-cutting ceremony in Chesterfield Township last week to celebrate the opening of the company’s third storefront location in Macomb County.
Members of the township’s Board of Trustees, along with officials from both the Anchor Bay and Southeast Michigan chambers of commerce were on hand for the event.
​
The 3,100-square-foot retail facility, Chesterfield’s first recreational cannabis dispensary, opened in February marking the Troy-based company’s 21st location in Michigan..."
April 12, 2024
​
Bow wow wow — dress your dog up for Utica’s annual Puppy Parade
"This year, Fritz, a five-month-old rescue Rott-weiler puppy who received life-saving care from the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society Vet Clinic. Thanks to the support of the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the clinic will be receiving a $1,000 grant for caring for Fritz..."
March 3, 2024
Interview with CEO John Johnson!
Helping Grow Cities in Southeast Michigan
About JR Sunday with Mark Hollis:
​
Start your Sunday with the people, places, and happenings that are making Detroit an exceptional community to live, work, and grow. Mark Hollis is your ambassador for two hours filled with exciting events, unique neighborhoods, and uncommon opportunities, all highlighted by the innovators who have made them a reality.
Sports, business, entertainment, culture, community, and economic opportunity are all here! A great Sunday starts with “’JR Sunday,” exclusively on 760 WJR.
December 8, 2023
​
Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce brings business, politics and charities together for common good
"The Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce meets every month and while attendance is always great, the recent December gathering of members had the hall at Andiamo Warren filled to capacity. The Southeast Chamber has done an incredible job of bringing elected officials and the private sector together,” said City of New Baltimore Mayor Thomas Semaan..."
September 26, 2023
​
Photos: 2023 North Gratiot Cruise in Chesterfield Township
"The North Gratiot Cruise is a one-day celebration of automobile history that attracts thousands of people each year. The event is presented by the North Gratiot Cruise Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that distributes net proceeds to local community groups. The foundation has donated more than $60,000 over the years..."
June 22, 2023
​
Warren Mayor Fouts takes parting shots at political foes in State of the City address
"Mayor Fouts ended with briefly talking about current and upcoming projects and encouraged residents to stay invested in their community.“I apologize for the lengthy presentation I apologize for the late start but please whatever you do, go out and vote,” Fouts said. At the very end of the program, the Warren Chamber of Commerce made the mayor an honorary chamber..."
June 20, 2023
​
Warren Wheels & Cruisin' 53 brought classic cars and a whole lot of fun to Warren & Center Line earlier this month!
"Warren Wheels & Cruisin' 53 brought classic cars and a whole lot of fun to Warren & Center Line earlier this month! Check out some highlights and learn more about this event..."
June 4, 2023
​
Center Line Festival Foundation had a little something for everyone
"There was a little something for just about anyone at the Center Line Independence Festival this past weekend.
​
Class car cruise? Check. Fireworks? Check. Live music, food, and a carnival? Check, check, check.
​
​Despite Friday’s grueling temps, crowds still turned out to take it all in. Saturday and Sunday’s weather proved much more tolerable, allowing festival-goers to enjoy themselves..."
January 27, 2023
​
Southeast Michigan Chamber January Luncheon
"The Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce in Mt. Clemens hosted its monthly luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 27, at Louis’ Chop House in New Baltimore. The event featured Mark Hackel, Macomb County executive, as the keynote speaker, along with networking opportunities and a plated lunch..."