Pictured from left: Cadillac Chamber President Caitlyn Berard, Manistee Chamber President Stacie Bytwork, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Petoskey Chamber President Nikki Devitt, Charlevoix Chamber President Sarah Van Horn at last week’s Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Policy Conference. (Courtesy photo)

TRAVERSE CITY — Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Chair Sarah Van Horn celebrated the success of the organization’s annual Policy Conference last week.

“We were pleased to welcome Gov. Whitmer, Sen. Peters, several northern Michigan legislators, and the directors of the MEDC and MSHDA to Traverse City…” Van Horn said. “The alliance continues to deliver on our goal of driving significant policy changes to increase the quality of life for people in northern Michigan. That wouldn’t be possible without such strong partnerships at the state and federal level.”

Alliance Vice-Chair Nikki Devitt noted the legislative success of the alliance in 2021.

“We helped draft the most significant child care reform in recent memory, which passed the House with bipartisan support,” Devitt said. “We achieve tangible results in areas like child care, attainable housing and talent attraction because we’re willing to put in the work. Our state leaders clearly recognize that.”

The Annual Policy Conference highlighted the eight-bill child care reform package and five-bill housing development package during the conference legislative update. The Alliance also delivered on budget requests, resulting in increased investment in Going Pro, Michigan Reconnect, and Tri-Share, a new program that divides child care costs equally between employees, employers, and the state.

The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is a coalition of chambers and economic development organizations including the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, Benzie County Chamber of Commerce, Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce, Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce, Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce, Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, Traverse Connect, Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Superior Community Partnership, Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce, Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce, Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce, Sault Area Chamber of Commerce, & Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. The Alliance exists to advocate for rural northern Michigan and move forward rural-centric business policy. More information on the Alliance’s latest work can be found at nmchamberalliance.com.