MANISTEE, MICH. - In writing this, I am about a month away from my one-year anniversary working as the Marketing & Communications Specialist for the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce. People are always saying how time flies, and with each passing year, I continue to learn what they mean by that. In this column, I want to look back on a year at the Chamber and how I've grown in the process.

 

I've learned that it takes a village. Do you know how many hands are working behind the scenes to ensure Manistee County moves in a positive, exciting, sustainable direction? Take the Riley Apartments, for example, the future housing project at the site that was previously Kennedy Elementary School. This project alone is bringing in 288 apartment units. Projects such as these are not thanks to one person: it's thanks to the efforts of countless individuals contributing to something they see as good. Working at the Chamber has given me the fresh perspective that there is never only one person doing all the work: it is a communal effort.

 

In my role, I have gotten to see the real value of effective communication and why we need it. I know, that's a real, surprising claim coming from the Marketing & Communications Specialist, isn't it? While I have always known how important communication is, seeing it within the chamber world has given me additional perspective on how things get done in Manistee County. I often think about the age we live in. Whether you get your information from the local newspaper, your email, your favorite news website, a social media algorithm, word-of-mouth, and so on. Right now, in the digital age, we live in a pretty oversaturated world of content! Frankly, you may find yourself overwhelmed if you attempt to uncover every little thing that is happening on a given day. 

 

This is one way your local chamber of commerce can make a difference for you. Where an organization may need help, the Chamber acts as a bridge, ensuring that people are getting plugged into the right places. Sometimes simply being 'in-the-know' makes all the difference. Sometimes all it means is telling someone you recognize the problem, even when you don't have the immediate answer. The Manistee Area Chamber isn't just a network of businesses: we are engaging in the conversations happening across several boards, commissions, councils, and individuals across the City of Manistee, Manistee County, and the state of Michigan, constantly advocating for our community. There will always be challenges with no clear-cut solutions, but in those moments, simply talking about it is almost always a great first step.

 

Thursday, October 24th is the day I celebrate my one-year anniversary working at the Chamber. The date also marks the opening night for a musical I am performing in (West Shore Community College's "Beauty and the Beast" in which I am playing Lumiere, in case you were wondering). In this way, I recognize that my passions and interests will continue to bleed through in everything that I do… as I believe they should. A good communicator is one that is plugged into their community and listens to what is being said there. Nowadays, it's virtually impossible for one person to be physically present in all aspects of a community at all times, and that is okay. You can find the avenues you are interested in or already established in and start there. You can learn to venture into the corners of your community that you haven't ever interacted with before. Sometimes, you need to be comfortable being uncomfortable. This is where I feel so fortunate to have a Chamber team to work alongside. Because we each bring something unique to the table, there is an opportunity for us to reach different kinds of people, businesses, and organizations, in different kinds of ways, to solve different kinds of problems. There is strength in numbers, and the Chamber is a reflection of this sentiment.

 

I could keep going, I really could. The thing is, there is always something new to talk about when you're with the Chamber of Commerce… and that's really exciting! The lifelong-learner in me wants to keep learning and growing in every year of my life. It has been a great year at the Chamber. I hope that I continue to change, I continue to listen, I continue to stay curious, and that I continue to leave my mark in everything I do. I'm proud of the work being done in Manistee County, the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, and my own personal and professional development. I can't wait to see what's next.