Bob Hendrickson

Coordinating services and offerings at a chamber of commerce can be a daunting task with a limited staff. Since the start in 2010, the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce serves the western end of Marquette County and currently maintains over 210 members.

The variety of needs from each member is constantly evolving and although resourceful, it can be a challenging and at times impossible task to be everything to everyone. With that said, there is a wealth of resources and organizations in Marquette County with similar missions and the GINCC works to partner with these groups to better serve our membership.

The talent base of each of these organizations helps create the building blocks for a successful business climate. Where one may fall short another organization can step up to help fill the void. The GINCC is only one of many who are working toward the growth and success of businesses in Marquette County.

Organizations such as Accelerate U.P., Innovate Marquette SmartZone, the Lake Superior Community Partnership and Downtown Development Authorities all have the similar goals and serve different segments of business at different times.

Regionally and State-wide there is Invest UP, Northern Initiatives, the Small Business Development Center and the Small Business Association of Michigan.

These are just a some of the organizations the GINCC has direct contact with and when we don’t have the answer, we can direct entrepreneurs and business owners to these and others who can help.

The Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce is a member driven organization that bridges businesses with the community, champions the buy local philosophy, promotes the West End of Marquette County as a whole to visit, live and explore, along with embracing the historical roots that make this area great.

Our mission will always remain to focus on Western Marquette County and by working with other business-betterment organizations we are able to extend resource to our membership which cannot be achieved by one organization alone.

To learn more about the GINCC, visit our website at www.gincc.org, give us a call or stop in. Office hours are 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. We are at times out of office on chamber business. Please call ahead to confirm a visit, 906-486-1111.

EDITORS NOTE: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, where they raised their daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.