by Eric Ringwelski | Apr 1, 2026 | Chamber Corner
Over the past few months, while meeting with business owners across Michigan, Northern Indiana, and the Chicago region, one comment keeps coming up: “We have a website… but we’re not sure if it’s actually helping our business grow.” Many...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 25, 2026 | Chamber Corner
As the Southwest Michigan housing market continues to grow and evolve, so does the role of property management. What was once viewed as a largely administrative function has become a strategic service that directly impacts investment performance, housing quality, and...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 23, 2026 | Business, First & 42 Original
In Nottawa Township, where open farmland and small businesses shape the landscape east of Three Rivers, a quiet manufacturing operation is turning out hundreds of boot uppers a day through a process that depends as much on skilled hands as it does on machinery....
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 23, 2026 | Business, Places
Recent conversations in Lansing highlight an important reality for Michigan’s economy: long-term competitiveness will depend on how well the state aligns workforce development, housing availability, and economic development policy. Last month, economic development...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 18, 2026 | Chamber Corner
Google search results never stop evolving. And, as a small business, it can be a huge challenge to stay on top of new updates, understand new features, and explore the new opportunities they offer. If you get all of your Google- and SEO-related news from LinkedIn, you...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 11, 2026 | Chamber Corner
In the world of family business, there is a haunting proverb often whispered in boardrooms: “Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations”. The first generation builds the business through grit and sacrifice, the second enjoys the fruits of that labor, and the...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 9, 2026 | Sponsored Content
Tornado Relief Resources This page includes trusted links and on-the-ground resources following the tornadoes that impacted Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch Counties. We will update this page as new information is confirmed. Last updated: March 9, 2026 Quick actions Get...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 9, 2026 | Chamber Corner
Introduction We’ve all been there: sitting across the table, or the screen, in a crucial business meeting, feeling the pressure to make a great impression. You have your pitch perfected, your slides are polished, and you’re ready to convince the client that you have...
by Eric Ringwelski | Mar 6, 2026 | First & 42 Original, Places
Several regional partners played a key role in bringing the new Cass District Library’s Edwardsburg Branch to life. The $7 million, 5.4-acre facility celebrated its grand opening on February 27, 2026, marking the first new library built in Cass County since 1978 and...
