Local Issues

The Government Affairs Committee is proactive in offering advocacy on issues that pertain to the business community impacting and influencing the overall economic development of the area. In addition to responding to policy issues as they arise, the Government Affairs Committee annually outlines areas of interest to pursue.

2006 Issues and Areas of Focus

-Annual Legislative Update Early Bird Breakfast

-Televised Candidate Forum

-Offer web based candidate questionnaires

-Annual Candidate Information Workshop

-Explore Muskegon PAC formation

-Research available grants with Muskegon Area First and local municipalities

-Promote research and development of One Muskegon

-Support watershed preservation

-Continue support to secure One Muskegon Centers of Regional Excellence grant

-Support Muskegon Area District Library Millage

-Promote “developer and business friendly” local government

-Advocate airport growth with business presence

-Support growth of Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau

- Research Muskegon County polling site accessibility

-Continue West Michigan Chamber Coalition advancement of advocacy

-Consult with Community Promotions Committee on strengthening relationships between the business community, public schools and institutions of higher education.

Pursue educational presence in downtown Muskegon

Explore Lakeshore Link ( Holland )

Support West Michigan Underwater Preserve designation

-Provide membership networking and educational legislative opportunities

Successful Issues and Areas of Focus

2005
Advocate for completion of Northside Water Project.
Promote after Labor Day school start date.
Participation in building foundation for regional government affairs program: West Michigan Chamber Coalition Advocacy.
Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ): Approved. City Commission approved Neighborhood Enterprise Zone for the Port City Industrial Park .

2004
Health Care Reform for small business
Cross Lake Car Ferry: In support of Muskegon to Milwaukee operations.
Career Tech Center: Proposal Approved. Voters approved the mileage to build a new career tech center on the campus of Muskegon Community College .

2003
Airport Expansion: Approved. The County Board of Commissioners approved the recommendation to expand the Muskegon County Airport.
Muskegon Central Dispatch: Approved. Voters approved the chamber endorsed proposal to upgrade the Muskegon County 911 system.

West Michigan Chamber Coalition Advocacy Initiatives
The mission of the West Michigan Chamber Coalition Regional Advocacy Coalition is to pursue action and advocacy on specific issues of a national, state or regional significance, as well as local issues with a regional impact.

The West Michigan Chamber Coalitions is comprised of the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Holland Area Chamber of Commerce and Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Coalition joined forces in 2005 to advocate on behalf of West Michigan business and speaks with a voice of a 6,000 business members with over 250,000 employees.