Lori Meeder named exec director of Boyne City Main Street

The Boyne City Main Street Board has named Lori J. Meeder as the organization's new executive director starting March 1. Meeder replaces Hugh Conklin, who retired in August after seven years in the position. Meeder is a resident of Boyne City and a member of the city Planning Commission. "I am just so excited to be able to devote my time and energy to this community," Meeder said. She has extensive experience in business development and banking, most recently as a senior lender for Northern Initiatives and entrepreneurial division director for the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance. She has also worked for the Lansing Chamber of Commerce and several banks in downstate Michigan. She holds BA and MBA degrees in finance from Grand Valley State University. Meeder has served as a Main Street volunteer on the Team Boyne Economic Restructuring Committee, and she is a board member of Leadership Charlevoix County, a program affiliated with the Boyne City, Charlevoix and East Jordan Chambers of Commerce. City press release.

Chamber honors community leaders, installs board at Annual Meeting

A crowd of 325 people attended the Boyne Area Chamber's 2015 Annual Meeting at Boyne Mountain, enjoying great food and drink, entertainment and the presentation of awards to community leaders and organizations. The award winners are pictured here. Thanks to Erika Blackwell of Center of Attention Photography for providing our pictures, and more photos are here. The award winners are:

> Volunteer of the Year - Nancy Cunningham, whose patient determination over several years on behalf of the Friends of the Boyne River has given us the new Boyne River Nature Area.
> Community Pride Award - The Boyne Thunder Committee, which organizes and manages this July event, has raised more than $300,000 for Camp Quality and more recently Challenge Mountain.
> Young Entrepreneurs of the Year - Four young women who have in the past year or so started working for their parents' businesses and thus are the heirs apparent to keeping the business going, and keeping it in the family. They are: Asuka Barden of F.O. Barden and Sons, Jessica White of Boyne City Hardware, Jennifer McAndrew of Boyne Co-op True Value and Shantel Erber of BC Lanes.
> Entrepreneurs of the Year - Chris and Sandra Nelson, who took our long-neglected and closed bowling alley and brought it back to life as BC Lanes, located adjacent to their highly successful BC Pizza.
> Heritage Award - Bruce Janssen of The Wood Shop, who has been in business since 1974, and has contributed greatly to the appearance of our area with his artistic sign creations.
> The Sally Roselli Business Leadership Award (presented by Sally's sister, Julie Wellman) - Tony Williams and Robin Lee Berry of Freshwater Gallery, whose are active in many organizations and whose winter concert series has brought nationally-known talent to Boyne City.
> The Chamber Board of Directors was installed at the Annual Meeting with Kristine Brehm honored for completing her  year as president and Karen Guzniczak starting her year as the incoming president. Full board.

Leadership Charlevoix County Obtains 501c3 Non-Profit Status

Individuals looking to donate toward a non-profit organization enhancing leadership opportunities in Charlevoix County now have a new opportunity – Leadership Charlevoix County.

The Board of Directors of the Leadership Charlevoix County (LCC) program is excited to announce the organization has received its 501c3 non-profit status, allowing the organization to now accept financial gifts.

A special LCC committee led by board member Lori Meeder worked diligently with the CPA firm of Mason, Kammermann & Rohrback to prepare the required documentation and file the application for non-profit status.

LCC Board Chair Dianne Litzenburger is excited about this accomplishment. “Obtaining 501c3 non-profit status not only elevates the credibility of the program, but allows businesses and individuals to support leadership throughout Charlevoix County through financial donations and they will receive tax benefits for doing so,” she said.

Leadership Charlevoix County began in 2011 as a joint effort of the Charlevoix, Boyne City, East Jordan and Beaver Island Chambers of Commerce. The program features nine monthly day-long sessions and has served a total of 55 participants – including this year’s class of 16 individuals. With leadership enhancement as part of its strategic plan, the Charlevoix County Community Foundation was also instrumental in providing grant money to help the program get off the ground.

As a result of the new non-profit status, Leadership Charlevoix County is continuing its relationship with the Charlevoix County Community Foundation to develop the “Leadership Charlevoix County Fund” through which donations will be used to sustain the program, enhance offerings, and provide scholarships for future participants.

LCC Program Coordinator Scott Gillespie sees a bright future for the program. “This new opportunity for businesses and individuals to financially support the program will allow us to elevate our offerings to the community. Our next step is to identify areas where LCC can further enhance leadership by considering programs for LCC alumni, as well as services provided directly to businesses and organizations.”

If you are interested in donating to the Leadership Charlevoix County Fund, you can mail your tax-deductible check made payable to: Leadership Charlevoix County, PO Box 273, East Jordan MI 49727. If you have any questions or would like to be a program sponsor, contact Gillespie via e-mail at leadershipcharlevoixcounty@gmail.com or call him any time at 989-444-1695. For more information about the program, visit www.leadershipcharlevoixcounty.com.

Chris Christensen named a Michigan Broadband Hero

Boyne City resident and county commissioner Chris Christensen has been named a Michigan Broadband Hero. The award was presented by Connect Michigan as more than 400 people attended the second annual Michigan Broadband Conference in Lansing. The award recognizes outstanding contributions individuals and organizations have made towards increasing broadband service in the state. In his capacity as a County Commissioner, Christensen was able to use his foresight, knowledge of current and future infrastructure and resources, and connections to put Charlevoix County in a strategic position for broadband expansion. Working with county departments including GIS specialists, he facilitated the mapping of primary routes that would serve all the critical entities in the county. When Merit Network announced they were to receive funding through the American Recovery Act Reach Program, Christensen approached them with the completed maps. Having this groundwork in place expedited and accelerated the expansion of broadband fiber throughout Charlevoix County.

Boyne City Main Street achieves national accreditation

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has announced that Boyne City Main Street has been recognized as a Nationally Accredited Main Street community by the National Trust Main Street Center and the Michigan Main Street Center at MSHDA. Boyne City Main Street is one of four Michigan Main Street communities receiving national recognition this year. 

The Michigan Main Street Select and Master Level communities are evaluated annually based on 10 performance standards prescribed by the National Trust Main Street Center, and eligible communities are submitted to the national level for final review. “Boyne City Main Street has made many efforts toward their revitalization goals using the Main Street Approach,” said Laura Krizov, manager of the Michigan Main Street Center at MSHDA. “We are happy to recognize their program as nationally accredited this year.”

City Manager and Main Street Board Member Michael Cain stated “Boyne City’s Main Street Program is as strong as ever; strategically placing Boyne City in line for many more good things to come. Being recognized by the state at the Master Level and one of only four Michigan communities accredited at the national level does not come easy; however, it reinforces that we are doing things right and heading in the right direction. “

Local Main Street programs are encouraged to embrace community revitalization and economic development through organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. Recent studies show that supporting downtowns creates vibrant centers where people want to live, work and invest. The Michigan Main Street Center is part of MSHDA’s effort to create vibrant communities across the state.

“The Michigan Main Street Program provides communities with the tools needed to develop into thriving districts,” said Krizov. “These tools can be used to create jobs, attract and retain residents and investment while building a sense of place in Michigan communities.”

Pictured are Emily Pantera and Deborah Johnson from the Michigan Main Street Center and City Manager and Main Street Board Member Michael Cain.

Boyne Mountain announces plans to build sports complex

Boyne Mountain Resort has announced plans for a new sports complex, which will be located on land across from the resort’s M-75 entrance. The property, nearly 200 acres, was acquired in 2012. The complex is expected to offer six grass fields for sporting events and open in summer 2016. Earlier this summer, Boyne Mountain built a single field on resort property serving as the home turf for Petoskey Lacrosse. The resort plans to add two additional fields as early as spring 2015 to cater to events and tournaments while the sports complex is being constructed. The two phases of development will create up to nine individual fields. The innovative move of combining quality fields with luxury lodging and resort amenities will make athletic events at Boyne Mountain unique from any other sports complex in the Midwest.  Details.

Kim Altobello named associate director of Boyne Area Chamber

Boyne City native Kim Altobello has been named the new associate director of the Boyne Area Chamber. She replaces Deb Jason, who accepted a position with Northern Michigan Escapes, a new vacation property management company. Kim graduated from Boyne City High School and Patricia Stevens Career College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before moving to Southern California where she worked in the banking industry. She served most recently as executive vice president and chief administrative officer for a community bank in Santa Clarita CA. In 2012, Kim moved back to Boyne City, where she worked as a Realtor for Coldwell Banker Schmidt in Boyne City and as a sales associate at Chico's women's clothing store in Petoskey. She also assists her fiance Shawn MacNaughton with his business, MacNaughton's Pest Control. Her family has long been active in the local business community, as her late father Bob Herrmann owned a tire business and REH Acres, a wood stove business. Her mother Roseann Herrmann formerly owned a gift store call The Warm Spot  on Water Street. Kim is active in several local organizations including Eta Nu Women's Club, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Boyne City Eagles, and she is on the board of the Charlevoix Area Humane Society. Her adult children Christopher and Jonathan live in Southern California.