Brian Allen, Owner,
Sunshine Carpet Sales and Service
The Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce
As a kid who grew up in a small town in central Michigan, I can tell you that I have seen a lot of
changes over the years. I have so many memories up to the present day that there are far too many to mention. These
memories are part of what make up the history of our town, Reed City.
The history of Reed City goes back to 1875, when a small town was born. The logging days along the Hersey
River were a prosperous time for Reed City. The highways were built along the railroad corridors, East to West, North
to South, which has made Reed City a transportation hub, hence our other title, Crossroads.
Reed City is a community of people that have strong, Midwestern values combined with a wonderful small town
hospitality that can’t be beat. Our small town is made up of warm, generous people who give of their time and
resources to deserving organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, the Ministerial Association food
pantry, the Osceola Foundation among many others.
We have a first-class infrastructure thanks to forward-thinking leaders of the past as well as the present.
Our local government, police, fire department, EMS, schools, and our hospital facilities and professionals are
second-to-nne for a town our size.
Despite our current economic challenges, we still maintain a solid economic base poised for future growth.
We have a diverse business community that is growing. Anyone looking to establish a business in a small, and yet,
centralized community, we invite you to take a look at what our city at the Crossroads has to offer.
Our Chamber of Commerce is robust and growing, not only in size but in the variety of support and advocacy we
provide to area businesses. It boasts a strong Board of Directors and Ambassador’s Club, and hosts a myriad of events
throughout the year.
We offer a wide array of community activities which bring our town’s people together along with a multitude
of visitors. We have events such as Music and Art in the Park concerts and art workshops offered several times a week
during the summer months, the Great American Crossroads Celebration … a Family Festival every August, and the and our
ever-popular Evergreen Festival at Thanksgiving. We are also home to the Old Rugged Cross Museum which houses many
historical artifacts, but most notably, the personal belongings of Rev. George Bennard, author of the “Old Rugged Cross.”
The rebuilding of the old railroad depot is a project which is nearing completion and will serve as a hub to
this crossroads community as well as the rails-to-trails which go in all directions. This million dollar new structure
will be a trailhead center for recreational activities such as bicycling, rollerblading, and snowmobiling. It also contains
a community meeting room and houses the offices of the Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Developent Authority.
The rails-to-trails are interconnected to our beautiful park system. We have a campground available at the beautifully
landscaped Rambadt Park which is connected to a linear trail that follows the Hersey River eastward. This trail meanders
along the river landscaped with flowers, bushes and trees which leads to Westerburg Park. This park has three baseball
diamonds, tennis courts, a basketball court, and two pavilions. This is the center of the Crossroads festival in August.
This park is also where we have Halloween in the Park as well as other gatherings.
Brian Allen, President
Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce
Interested in becoming a
member of our Chamber?
Call 231.832.5431 for an application or
apply online.
Chamber On the Move
The Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce
is on the move! Our Chamber has made significant progress
in many areas during this past year. Paid membership has
increased from 108 members to 223. We have growing attendance
with many new faces for networking opportunities at our
monthly Chamber meetings and Business
After Five.
Our third Business
Expo was a great success. Our Chamber
logo and image are now widely recognized. We have completed
a successful Strategic Planning series which is providing
new direction for our future. We have a successful Professional Development Series which will offer more seminars in 2008.
The Chamber took over sponsorship
of the Evergreen Festival
in 2004. We are renewing and improving collaboration with
our Downtown Development Authority,
Evart and Hersey. We collaborated on a food drive with the
Old Rugged Cross Museum, and a Warmth and Toy Drive with Reed City Rotary.
We have worked hard and accomplished
a lot but we have much more to do!
If you're an area business who is not currently a
member of our Chamber, please consider joining. We are supported by annual
membership dues paid by local businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals.
Our dues are calculated on the basis of the number of employees in your business and payable annually.
Please contact any of our Board Members with questions you
may have about becoming a member of our Chamber. We have great plans for our future but we need you to help
us make it happen.
COMING 2008 EVENTS
General
Luncheon Meeting Noon, Thursday, November 13, 2008. Lunch $6, catered by Brothers Sports Bar and Grill. Guest speakers: Todd Price, Hospice of Michigan and Barbara Renne, College of Business Internship Coordinator for FSU. William and Mable Porteous Depot, 200 N. Chestnut.
Business After Five, 5-6:30 p.m., Hosted by Seven Slot Grille, 113 N. Chestnut, Reed City, Doug and Christy Wallace hosting. Light food, raffle prizes, drawing for Chamber newsletter Business Spotlight.
Chamber Board
of Directors Meeting
Thursday,
December 4, 3 p.m. at William and Mable Porteous Depot
MONTHLY MEETING
SCHEDULE
Chamber Board
Of
Directors Meeting 1st Thursday of each
month (except holidays). 3 p.m. at the William and Mable Porteous Depot.
General
Luncheon Meeting Noon with catered lunch – $6. William and Mable Porteous Depot, Reed City All community members and businesses welcome
to attend.
Business
After Five (same day as the General Luncheon Meeting)
See schedule. Hosted by a different Chamber business
every month. Network and socialize with other Chamber members.
Light food provided. 5-6:30
p.m. Bring your business card to win raffle prizes.
LOCATION
The Chamber office is located at:
200 N. Chestnut, (Mail to P.O. Box 27)
Reed City, MI 49677
MISSION
OUR MISSION
To help business, industry and tourism prosper, thus
stimulating economic growth and improving the quality
of life.
Chamber On the Move
