Traverse City Business News - June 2025 by Northern Express

BEHIND THE APRON

Left to right: Dave Millar, Laurie Thompson, Jess Ambrose, Debra Kirt, Andrew Hoadley

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CULTURED KOMBUCHA: COMPANY TO WATCH

Cultured Kombucha Co. in Traverse City is a 2025 awardee for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award, presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. Cultured Kombucha Co. was acknowledged at an awards ceremony during the 21st annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala in April.

“This recognition is incredibly meaningful for us,” said Courtney Lorenz, who founded the company in 2015. “What started as a personal journey to heal my own health has grown into a company that’s helping thousands make better choices every day. We’re proud to represent Michigan and the power of purpose-driven business.” The Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award recognizes companies that are high potential, second-stage companies in Michigan.

MEDICAL DELIVERY BY DRONE

Traverse Connect, Munson Healthcare, DroneUp, blueflite, and Central Michigan University’s Rural Health Equity Institute recently completed an aerial medical delivery project in Traverse City with test flights between Munson Medical Center, Copper Ridge Surgery Center, and the Munson Dialysis Center. Test flights simulated the delivery of supplies, lab samples, and medications. “This groundbreaking and exciting project demonstrates the use of Advanced Aerial Mobility in a unique setting,” said Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect. “This pilot is the first of its kind in the Grand Traverse region and will provide valuable insights into how rural healthcare access can be improved through advancements in uncrewed aerial systems.”

NEW: BETTER DAYS

Better Days Physical Therapy and Wellness has opened at 743 Woodmere Ave. in Traverse City. Founded by Dr. Sara Gartland, the practice offers individualized physical therapy designed around getting clients back to their active lifestyles. Learn more at https://betterdaysphysicaltherapy.com.

CO-WORKING & CHILDCARE SPACE OPENING

The Aspen House, a coworking space with on-site hourly childcare, is opening this month in Suttons Bay, in the former home of ATI Physical Therapy in Hansen’s Plaza. Owned by Kendall Rose, The Aspen House is a community hub that supports remote, hybrid remote, creative, entrepreneurial, and freelance workers. Learn more at ouraspenhouse.com.

CO.

Bay Motor Products in Traverse City has acquired Assembly Masters of Elkhart, Indiana. Founded in 2000, Assembly Masters specializes in custom cable assemblies, wire harnesses, and electromechanical assemblies for customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company employs 11. Bay Motor Products, founded in 1982, is a manufacturer of electric motors and blowers for various industries, including HVAC, food equipment, and industrial applications.

$75K TO SMALL BUSINESSES

20Fathoms and Venture North in Traverse City have announced the recipients of $75,000 in small business grants. Seventeen businesses across northwest Michigan each received approximately $4,500. They include: Bee Up North (Interlochen), Carter’s Compost (Traverse City), From Head to Toe (Kalkaska), Lively NeighborFood Market (Maple City), Northern Elderberry (Traverse City), Red Truck Orchards (Northport), Rock Bottom Candle Company (Suttons Bay), and Valor Skincare (Williamsburg). The recipients were selected based on their company’s strategic need for funds, as well as expected impact on the local economy. Funds were also distributed with a focus on supporting those businesses founded by individuals who are traditionally underrepresented in entrepreneurship.

NEW LOCATION FOR CHIRO PRACTICE

Third Coast Chiropractic, a family-focused chiropractic clinic owned by Dr. Bradley Hahn, has relocated to the Cherryland Center in Traverse City. The clinic offers prenatal, pediatric, and sports chiropractic care. The clinic’s new address is 1700 S. Garfield Ave.

BAY MOTOR ACQUIRES INDIANA

TC’S WORLD MAGNETICS EXPANDS

World Magnetics in Traverse City recently announced the launch of World Magnetics Distribution. This new distribution arm will serve North American OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) with domestic access to sensing and switch solutions. As part of the expansion, World Magnetics has acquired Royal Distributors, Inc., an industry partner in the medical, transportation, and industrial markets. World Magnetics was founded in 1962 and employs more than 35. “This acquisition is about evolution and growth,” said Martin Paul, president & owner of World Magnetic Companies. “By bringing RDI into our fold, we’re building upon their customer service legacy by combining it with our engineering heritage and global partner network, strengthening our local operations while expanding our international footprint.”

REMOTE WORKER SURVEY UNDERWAY

To better understand the growing impacts of remote work in northwest Michigan, Networks Northwest has kicked off the Northwest Michigan Remote Worker Study. Starting with the launch of the Northwest Michigan Remote Worker Survey, the study aims to gain insights into remote work trends throughout the region. The study, which will combine survey responses, focus groups, and data acquisition to create a regional report, is expected in the fall of 2025. The project is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and partners include 20Fathoms, Alliance for Economic Success, Manistee Chamber of Commerce, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, and Traverse Connect. The survey will be open until July 7 and can be found at nwm.org/remotework.

NEW ED BUILDING HONORS LONGTIME LEADER

Northwest Education Services recently hosted a groundbreaking and renaming ceremony for the Joseph C. Fisher Early Childhood & Family Center. The building, former home to Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Traverse City, is being repurposed into a center for North

Ed’s Early Childhood team and partners, as well as space for onsite child care services. The naming honors Joe Fisher, the current president of North Ed’s Board of Education and longtime local attorney. After serving on the board for 48 years, Fisher will end his final term in June.

EMERGENCY GRANTS FOR ICE STORM LOSSES

Emergency mini-grants totaling $80,000 has been awarded to 61 small businesses in Emmet and Charlevoix counties to help them recover from the late March ice storms that led to an Emergency Declaration by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Funds for the emergency grants included $60,000 from the Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation and $20,000 from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation . The community foundations enlisted the services of Venture North Funding and Development to administer the grant program.

FIRM AIMS TO RECOGNIZE LEADERS

Cunningham-Limp, a community-focused construction management firm in Traverse City, has opened nominations for its second annual Community Builder Award, which will spotlight and honor leaders and businesses in northwest Michigan who have built, improved, or creatively utilized a space that has significantly enhanced their community. Along with recognition, Cunningham-Limp will provide $500 to each finalist and $2,500 to the award winner. The funds can be directed to a nonprofit of their choice, including their own, if applicable. Any individual or organization may nominate a candidate for the award, including themselves. The nomination form can be found at cunninghamlimp.com/awards/. Nominations close June 20. Finalists will be selected by an impartial panel of judges unaffiliated with Cunningham-Limp, and will be recognized at Cunningham-Limp’s “25 Year” reception hosted at the Traverse City Golf & Country Club on July 24.

40UNDER40: NOMINATIONS OPEN UNTIL JUNE 11

Nominations are being accepted until June 11 at 5 p.m. for the 2025 Hagerty/ TCBN 40Under40. Individuals in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie and Kalkaska counties are eligible for nomination. (Nominees must be under the age of 40 until at least September 1). To nominate a mover and shaker, go to tcbusinessnews.com. You’ll need the nominee’s job title, contact info, and a few achievements and compelling reasons why the individual should make the list. Winners will be notified ahead of the September announcement and featured in the September issue of the TCBN.

Summer is here, and we welcome visitors, festivals, farmers’ markets, and, of course, road construction.

While local attention turns to summer-time tourism and cherries, it’s important to underscore developments in a different sector of our economy – manufacturing.

The first half of 2025 has seen significant expansion projects and shifts toward innovation, but also some headwinds for our regional manufacturing industry.

The Grand Traverse region’s manufacturing legacy is robust. From the pioneering innovations of John T. Parsons – often credited as the father of numerical control – to our area’s deep roots in the automotive and aerospace industry, manufacturing has long been a cornerstone of the region’s economic identity. Manufacturing represents the fourth-largest industry in Grand Traverse County, employing more than 4,400 people across 234 businesses, marking a year-over-year increase, underscoring the sector’s enduring relevance.

This legacy continues to evolve today, shaped by technological advancements and global trade dynamics. Transformative forces, including artificial intelligence (AI), additive manufacturing, changes in defense industry procurement and distributive manufacturing, are reshaping the future of manufacturing in northern Michigan.

However, tariffs pose a risk to the sector. These topics were front of mind at two recent manufacturing industry events held in Traverse City: the inaugural Northern Michigan Defense Conference in early March and the annual Northern

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HEAD- AND TAILWINDS IN REGIONAL MANUFACTURING:

Tariffs are a concern, but AI and additive manufacturing are revolutionizing

Michigan Manufacturing Summit in late April.

Attendees at the manufacturing summit heard from keynote speaker, Pavan Muzumdar, COO of Automation Alley, about the impact of artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing utilization — present-day tools with specialized capabilities revolutionizing design, equipment programming, and production processes.

“Ignoring AI’s future potential based on current limitations is a strategic misstep,” Muzumdar warned.

Embracing AI means more than adopting new tools; it requires a cultural shift toward digital integration and outcome-driven investment across traditional manufacturing operations. Many of our local companies are at the forefront of this revolution.

Additive manufacturing — commonly known as 3D printing — is also gaining traction, according to Muzumdar. It minimizes supply chain risks and reduces the need for large inventories, improving working capital management and operational agility. Our production businesses are experimenting with this technology, and business leaders are exploring opportunities to bring more 3D printing capacity to our region.

Combining additive manufacturing with artificial intelligence will revolutionize production and further the concept of “i4.0” or the fourth industrial revolution. Muzumdar urges local manufacturers to embrace digital technology in their operations and to prioritize technology upgrade investments as necessary steps to position their businesses for the future.

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Distributive manufacturing is another game-changer. It is a decentralized approach to production where goods are made in multiple locations rather than a single central facility. Smaller firms can compete on a broader scale by leveraging local manufacturing hubs and advanced technologies to produce items closer to their final consumers. Regional manufacturers can access distribution channels that were once the exclusive domain of larger corporations, opening up new markets such as mobility, aerospace and defense.

The inaugural defense industry conference was developed to capitalize on these opportunities. Local leaders partnered with the Michigan Chapter of the National Defense Industry Association and the Detroit Arsenal – the U.S. military facility supporting research and development for Army ground vehicles. The Arsenal is a hub for military technology and leadership, and intends to incorporate more northern Michigan manufacturers in the military’s supply chain.

Northern Michigan is home to smalland medium-sized operations that produce specialized, advanced components. A recent local announcement underscores these opportunities. Century, LLC, a Traverse City-based group of three manufacturing companies, recently secured a long-term contract with Bell Flight, a Texas-based aerospace firm, to produce critical components for helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft.

As exciting as all of this is and despite the advancements of our local companies, the manufacturing sector faces significant headwinds due to federal tariff policies. A

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production

recent survey by the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance revealed widespread concern among businesses about the impact of these new trade rules. Across sectors, companies report rising costs for raw materials and operational supplies. Manufacturers are particularly hardhit, citing supply chain disruptions, increased material costs, and retaliatory tariffs on exports.

While there is potential for trade benefits if we see significant reshoring of production, this takes time. Meanwhile, the tariffs are already destabilizing our small manufacturers, who face current price hikes and widespread uncertainty. Businesses are hesitant to invest, expand or innovate when the rules of the game are constantly changing.

This volatility threatens our region’s economic stability, and now is a key time for public policy advocacy. Dozens of regional business owners have volunteered to engage with policymakers on this critical issue, and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is bringing their voice to our legislators in Washington. I urge regional leaders across sectors to engage in these important discussions.

From agriculture to aerospace, our region’s manufacturers have proven they can compete — and win — on a global stage. The manufacturing sector in the Grand Traverse region and beyond is at a pivotal moment. With the right mix of innovation, investment and advocacy, it can weather current challenges and emerge stronger and more sustainable.

Warren Call serves as the president and CEO of Traverse Connect.

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FROM THE DESK OF...

Nick Beadleston, Executive Director, Grove Community Incubator

By Art Bukowski

Nick Beadleston is executive director of Grove Community Incubator, which (among other services) provides coworking space in the Commongrounds community center on Eighth Street at Boardman Avenue. We thank him for showing us around his space! If you have an idea for a From the Desk Of entry, contact Art Bukowski at abukowski@tcbusinessnews.com.

1. I turn to these titles weekly to help center (or challenge) my thinking. They’re dog eared, annotated, battered, bruised and thoroughly loved. Top three: “Community” by Peter Block, “Emergent Strategy” by Adrienne Maree Brown, and “The Power of Beliefs in Business” by Ari Weinzweig.

2. At Grove Community Incubator (formerly Commonplace Coworking) we envision a region where every innovator is rooted in the relationships and resources needed to fulfill their deep purpose. It’s our mission to nurture fertile ground where entrepreneurs, organizers, and artists connect and flourish.

3. We’re lucky enough to have on-site early childhood education with Northern Blooms Montessori. These are from a recent student-led fundraiser. (Actually, these flowers are from someone else’s kid; I bought the wrong ones.)

4. One of Grove’s proudest community contributions is our weekly Office of Possibilities. Every single Tuesday morning, dozens of local entrepreneurs and changemakers gather to collaborate and support one another.

5. We have so many amazing members impacting our region in innovative ways. I’m grateful to follow along with their stories through publications like the quarterly Boardman Review, Crosshatch Center for Arts and Ecology’s new collection of essays, Woven, and Taste the Local Differences’ annual Good Food Guide.

6. Believe it or not, I do actually use this old Underwood. I tend to be an aggressive typer, especially when I’m writing passionately about something. So a tactile tool like a typewriter is perfect for me.

7. Our family is privileged to live a mile from where we work and go to school. 360-some days out of the year we walk or bike here along the TART Trail.

8. Here’s a pen and mechanical pencil that belonged to my grandfather, Thomas Panineau. He dropped out of school during the Great Depression to ride the rails and search for work. Despite that, he became incredibly well read, developed into a consummate and witty writer, and remained a keen observer of the communal condition.

9. I became a Rotarian not long after moving to TC over a decade ago. Through that group, I’ve met some of my closest local friends and co-conspirators.

10. Listen, not everything has a deeper meaning. This was just something we had lying around.

11. Our coworking space phone booths aren’t just a place to make a call – they’re quiet pockets of possibility where ideas take shape and connections happen, one conversation at a time.

BEHIND THE APRON

Veteran servers discuss decades of work in northern Michigan

By Art Bukowski

Servers are the lifeblood of a restaurant.

Jess Ambrose, Trattoria Stella Years of industry service: 15

Andrew Hoadley, Amical Years of industry service: 19

Debra Kirt, Mode’s Bum Steer Years of industry service: 51

Laurie Thompson*, Brady’s Bar Years of industry service: 39

Dave Millar, Jolly Pumpkin Years of industry service: 40

*Actual last name withheld at subject’s request

After the quality of its food, there’s arguably nothing more important to a restaurant’s reputation than how its customers are taken care of. Part of eating out, after all, is the enjoyment of the overall experience.

And while serving can be handled by anyone, including entry-level kids or those with little experience, restaurant owners and managers will tell you that servers who can make a career out of this profession are a cut above. A step ahead. They’re just … better.

The TCBN assembled a roundtable of five local servers with more than 160 years of combined experience behind the apron to discuss their profession.

More than waiting tables

The first thing this group will tell you is that waiting on customers is merely the visible tip of the iceberg. Before Jess Ambrose walks up to a table at Stella, for instance, she needs to know about the ever-changing menu and be prepared to

tell customers in detail about the local ingredients that Stella prides itself on.

“I’m not just there to write down your order. I need to have the food and wine knowledge for a menu that changes every night and a wine list that has over 400 bottles,” she said. “And there’s so many local farms and things like that in Traverse City, and you’ve got to be familiar with them, too. There’s a lot of continuing education.”

That’s not to say there’s any less work at more casual establishments. Over at the iconic Mode’s Bum Steer, the cross-trained servers are ready to take on anything, quite literally. This means there’s no real down time, even when tables are empty.

“We do dishes. We cook lunches. We bartend, we clean, we vacuum – we’re not just servers,” said Debbie Kirt, who has logged 40 years at Mode’s. “We do everything.”

But at least it’s simple enough to serve the food and collect payment, right? Wrong. This is especially true as our digital age forces new continuing education of its own.

“I had to learn how to do not one, but two different handheld [point of sale] systems,” said Laurie Thompson, a nearly

40-year veteran of Brady’s Bar. “And the very first day we got the first system, I got three hockey teams after a tournament that all wanted separate checks. You had to just throw your hands up.”

The job can be physically taxing – lots of ups and downs, lifting and constant movement, all on your feet – but the real stress is on the mind. Especially as restaurants face staffing issues, these servers have to juggle a lot as they cover large swaths of the floor.

“You’re always prioritizing the next six things you have to do. Suddenly number six is number one and number one can wait until after four, and your head just does all of that automatically,” Millar said. “You get home from work at three in the morning and you’re laying there trying to go to sleep and your brain says, ‘God, that guy still needs a Budweiser.’”

You also have to navigate and balance a variety of people (and their assorted needs, quirks and emotions) as you go about your business.

“You have to manage a lot of personalities,” Ambrose said. “Front of the house,

Top row: Laurie Thompson, Dave Millar, Andrew Hoadley

Bottom: Debra Kirt, Jess Ambrose

Photos by Megan Renae Studios

back of the house, support staff, bartenders, guests.”

Then there’s the part where, as a veteran, you have to impart your wisdom upon the freshly hired youngsters. It can be a chore.

“The classic is the girl that comes in and you’re training her, and she says ‘I’ve worked at Applebee’s for three years, I know what to do.’ And it’s like ‘You don’t.’ There are so many subtle nuances you pick up along the way … and every place is different,” Millar said. “Waiting tables here is not waiting tables there.”

The best part

These servers shared no shortage of perks when asked what they enjoy about their profession. It’s no surprise, then, that they and plenty of others have made a career out of it.

“I remember my first job, looking at my boss and thinking I’m not going to be doing this at his age,” Millar said. “But then all of a sudden you wake up one day and you’ve been making good money, you get to travel, your schedule is flexible, and you can always get a job [anywhere you go] and you say, ‘I guess I’m going to keep doing this.’”

Many restaurants are now starting to offer health and other benefits that weren’t common in years past, adding another network of support and appeal to what was for years a “grind-it-out” profession.

The unanimous response when asked

what they like best about the job, though, is the people. Many customers, especially the regular ones, have a way of filling servers’ cups with friendship, laughs, support and advice.

“I’ve learned more life lessons at Mode’s than I could ever learn anywhere else,” Kirt said.

Real, meaningful customer relationships are built in this work, particularly in the colder months when those who live nearby aren’t scared off by the hordes of tourists.

“I have a couple I’ve been waiting on every Saturday night for 15 years. You build friendships with them. We’ll meet for coffee. I’ve gone to dinner at their house. I’ve watched their kids grow up,” Ambrose said. “I respect summer for what it is, but I prefer the off-season when you get to see all the regulars and locals.”

Servers know that seeing a familiar face is important, especially when the customer in question needs far more than a simple meal.

“We’re therapists. We’re counselors. People come for comfort,” Kirt said. “When someone loses their spouse, sometimes it’s hard to come back in the restaurant, especially if you’re used to coming in with your husband [or wife]. As soon as they come in, I run up and give them a big hug.”

There’s plenty more than hugs to give out. Serve long enough in one town and you also compile an impressive list of community resources for anyone who may

IMPROVING THE LANDSCAPE IN TRAVERSE CITY

Expand into the Traverse City market by developing our second landscape supply location to better-serve existing customers and foster new relationships.

From navigating the township’s complex permitting process to final construction, Mike and his team kept us on schedule and truly built our vision. We’ve worked with Burdco on multiple projects over the last five years for a reason.

– Josh Manthei President, Manthei Supply

“I’m not just there to write down your order. I need to have the food and wine knowledge for a menu that changes every night and a wine list that has over 400 bottles. And there’s so many local farms and things like that in Traverse City, and you’ve got to be familiar with them, too. There’s a lot of continuing education.”

– Jess Ambrose, Stella

need them.

As Millar put it, “I’ve always got a guy.”

“You know a plumber, you know somebody who can fix your car,” Thompson said. “You always know somebody who can help.”

It’s also an honor to feel valued and respected for what you do, these servers say, because at their level, they are in demand. This is particularly true at fine dining establishments like Stella, where the service is key to navigating what could otherwise be an overwhelming experience.

“I have so many regulars – people who will come in and always request me,” Ambrose said.

And it’s more than just the customers.

Behind the scenes, there is a strong and close-knit community of servers and other restaurant folks who know and respect each other.

“The people you work with is a big part of it,” Millar said. “It’s amazing the lasting friendships you develop from working with somebody in the trenches.”

The worst part

The best part of the job, as it turns out, is also the worst. Difficult coworkers are no fun, but difficult customers are even tougher.

“The people that we love serving and

Dan Brown Business Development Director, Burdco

Abel Nelson Store Manager, Manthei Supply

Josh Manthei President, Manthei Supply

Mike Brown Owner, Burdco

getting to know and hearing their stories sometimes just aren’t a pleasure to get to know or hear their stories,” Millar said. “If you go into work and you’re already having a little bit of a bad day, it can be amplified really quick by [bad customer behavior].”

Every server has horror stories about bad customers. Millar says years of experience have given him the ability to push back in a firm but respectful manner.

“You can clap back. You’ve got to be careful, and it’s a fine line, but you can do it,” he said. “I had a lady when I was as busy as I could be who was literally banging her silverware on the table after I told her I’d be right with her. I said, ‘That’s great for getting my attention, but it makes me not like you.’ Everybody else at the table smiled and we moved on from there.”

Just as important as what you say, though, is how you say it.

“I managed a girl one time and I had to tell her, ‘You can’t talk to a customer like that,’ and she told me, ‘I’ve heard you say the exact same words!’” Millar said. ‘And I said, ‘Yeah, but I didn’t have the bulging vein in my forehead when I said it.’ Delivery is important.”

Ambrose says she’s learned “tactful ways” to ensure that her customers are giving her the respect she deserves as a person and professional.

“There’s a difference between being a server and a servant,” she said. With experience also comes under-

standing and the ability to overpower bad energy with good.

“I had a guy who was in one night by himself, and he was rude and ordering me around like I was nothing. When I brought his food and set it down, I smiled and said, ‘I hope this makes your day better,’” Thompson said. “And he looked at me and he said, ‘I was taking it out on you, wasn’t I?’ And I said, ‘We all have those days, don’t worry about it.’”

Tip talk

These servers were unanimously and strongly opposed to a recent push to remove the longstanding tip credit that allows restaurants to pay tipped staff a fraction of the minimum wage.

While mandating that servers be paid

the minimum wage wouldn’t technically prevent tipping, servers worry there would be less incentive to tip, and therefore much less money in their pockets (experienced professionals can make very good money in the tip system).

“People will hear [that the restaurant is paying us more] and think, ‘Oh, they’re all good. They don’t need tips,’” Millar said. “Last summer, even when they just started talking about it, we saw more 10% and 15% tips.”

Though they haven’t yet seen it directly impact their tips, these servers are at least mildly worried about “tip fatigue” from customers who are now getting hit with tip requests in places they hadn’t before. When the convenience store clerk turns around that tablet and asks for 10, 15 or 20%, things are getting a little weird.

“We’re talking about it being annoying, and we’re people who live on tips,” Millar said. “So that tells you something … it’s getting a little out of hand.”

There is no truth to the oft-repeated suggestion that tourists tip any worse or better than locals, servers say. By and large, a good or bad tipper is that way regardless of who they’re dealing with. Tips (which are the overwhelming portion of these servers’ income) vary throughout the season, with some surprises compared to what non-servers might expect. June can be “fool’s gold,” for example, because locals get super busy with a variety of things (graduation parties, vacations and more) but the full tourist surge hasn’t yet arrived.

Servers, especially veterans like these, have learned to ride the waves.

“You get creative with your money. You

“You’re always prioritizing the next six things you have to do. Suddenly number six is number one and number one can wait until after four, and your head just does all of that automatically. You get home from work at three in the morning and you’re laying there trying to go to sleep and your brain says, ‘God, that guy still needs a Budweiser.’”

–

Dave Millar, Jolly Pumpkin

really do,” Thompson said. “You learn how to manage it, balance things and save for the what-ifs.”

Trends, odds and ends

The post-COVID era has reshaped restaurants and their staff in more ways than one, and it’s changed the way the whole industry does business.

The open hours that were cut during COVID and its wake probably won’t return, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, servers say. Some of their restaurants are making more money while providing their best food and service in shorter hours than in years past.

“COVID checked us on that whole 24/7, 365 way of thinking. You go to other countries, and the market closes at 6 o’clock. But here, we’re so used to wanting a Twinkie at 10 o’clock and being able to get it,” Millar said. “Let’s let the places close down. Every place doesn’t have to be open until 11.”

There’s also been a trend of more restaurants settling into a niche. Not everyone has to do breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pick one or two and do them well, then reap the benefits.

Many decisions on hours, of course, are directly related to available staffing. Finding reliable workers has been a massive challenge for all industries since COVID, and problems in hospitality have

been particularly severe. While a number of factors are at play, the lack of available and affordable housing is likely to cause increasing problems for people in the service industry.

“The next generation [of servers] is really going to have an issue,” said Andrew Hoadley, who works at downtown staple Amical. “They’re already starting to struggle.”

This problem could eventually cripple the industry itself as restaurants have a harder and harder time finding staff.

“People want to know why they have to wait two hours for a table or why something wasn’t perfect, and it’s because restaurants can’t afford to pay people enough money to live here,” Ambrose said.

For now, though, plenty of new people still want to be a part of Traverse City’s celebrated restaurant scene.

“Our younger staff is really enthusiastic about working in restaurants here,” Hoadley said. “They like the scene, they like the food, they like the people, they like the industry.”

And that’s good, because Traverse City’s restaurant culture continues to grow, despite staffing challenges.

“Statewide, and especially in Grand Rapids, they have a lot of restaurant loss – at least seven or eight since January. And you don’t really see that as much up in Traverse City,” Hoadley said. “We seem to have a safe little bubble. If anything, we have people traveling here to open up restaurants.”

THE SUMMER TOURISM PREVIEW

Four headwinds – and two opportunities – that could shape the 2025 season

By Craig Manning

For us locals, every summer in Traverse City seems busy. Reliably, the area draws a whole slew of tourists between whenever the weather warms up in the springtime and whenever the leaves fall in the autumn.

But the summer tourism season in northern Michigan can see bigger fluctuations than most people realize, and national economic and political trends play big roles in deciding what those fluctuations look like from season to season. In that case, it should be no surprise that the summer of 2025 is one of the biggest question marks in recent memory for northern Michigan’s tourism machine. Regardless of your political lean, there’s no denying that Donald Trump has made bigger waves in the first six months of his second term than most presidents do in their first year, and those waves have created significant uncertainty in many areas, from federal funding to foreign trade.

Amidst all the uncertainty, the TCBN takes a look at four headwinds – and two favorable opportunities – that could blow Traverse City’s summer 2025 tourism season in one direction or the other.

HEADWINDS

Economic uncertainty

Speaking to TCBN sister publication

The Ticker last fall, Traverse City Tourism

(TCT) President and CEO Trevor Tkach gave the summer 2024 tourism season a B-minus – an unusually downbeat assessment coming from the typically optimistic TCT president. The big reasons for the region’s just-OK season, he said, had to do almost entirely with a limp national economy.

“The fourth quarter of ‘23 rolling into the first quarter of ‘24 wasn’t fabulous [for tourism],” Tkach said at the time.

“Between inflation and interest rates, consumer confidence was low. People weren’t spending as much on travel. And this was a national issue; it wasn’t unique to the Traverse City area.”

Those sluggish trends continued into the summer. Tkach said Michigan “was pretty flat, as it relates to travel demand,” seeing little to no growth compared to 2023. “And Traverse City was probably a little bit down, frankly.”

Data shows tourists were being more frugal in 2024 than the year previous. In 2023, Tkach said, 83% of July visitors stayed in-market overnight. In July 2024, that number slipped to 78.5%, with day-trippers representing a larger share of TC travelers.

“So, we’re still getting the visitors, but we’re not getting them for as long,” Tkach explained. “And that doesn’t just mean visitors aren’t spending money at local hotels; they’re also not spending as much money in market, in general.”

Based on continued economic uncertainty in 2025, this summer could

experience some of the same challenges as last year. In April, for instance, J.P. Morgan Research raised the probability of a recession occurring in 2025 from 40% to 60%, citing – among other things –Trump’s sweeping tariffs and how they were reshaping U.S. trade policy to be “decisively less business-friendly than previously anticipated.”

Meanwhile, inflation continues, with the Consumer Price Index indicating a 2.3% year-over-year increase across all products between April 2024 and April 2025. That number is technically good news: it’s the lowest year-over-year increase for consumer prices since February 2021. But most forecasters have been lukewarm

in their read of the situation.

Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management, wrote that the back-and-forth announcements from the White House on foreign tariff policies mean “a clear read on the inflation trend won’t be visible for several months yet.”

Amidst all the uncertainty, consumer confidence in the United States has plunged to dismal pandemic-like levels. That’s according to The Conference Board, a century-old nonprofit think tank that publishes a monthly Consumer Confidence Index® In April, that index fell 8.9 points, its fifth consecutive month of decline.

“The decline was largely driven by con-

sumers’ expectations,” said Stephanie Guichard, senior economist for global indicators at The Conference Board, in a press release. “The three expectation components –business conditions, employment prospects, and future income – all deteriorated sharply, reflecting pervasive pessimism about the future. Notably, the share of consumers expecting fewer jobs in the next six months [32.1%] was nearly as high as in April 2009, in the middle of the Great Recession. In addition, expectations about future income prospects turned clearly negative for the first time in five years, suggesting that concerns about the economy have now spread to consumers worrying about their own personal situations.”

While Tkach expects all this economic uncertainty and depressed consumer confidence will have an impact on Traverse City’s 2025 summer, he’s still bullish overall about the region’s durability as a tourism destination.

“We had a lot of good buzz at the end of ’24 and beginning of ’25, between the Wall Street Journal article claiming that we were at top 10 destination to visit in the world in ‘25 and a really nice Samantha Brown segment on PBS. So, I feel like we were on a wave there,” he said. “What we are seeing is that consumers still plan to travel, and Traverse City is still a destination of interest. Now, maybe people are going to do more road trips and stay closer to home because they don’t have as much

discretionary income. But that’s the biggest part of our business: It’s people who drive into the market to visit us. So, that’s positive to know that our biggest market is not going away and is probably growing.”

It was thanks to road trip traffic, Tkach notes, that Traverse City enjoyed a surprisingly strong period as a travel destination during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Add the one thing that Traverse City’s tourism sector really saw crater during COVID – conference and event bookings at local hotels – and Tkach expects the upcoming season will be strong even if tourism on the national scale sees a downswing.

“Probably the pinnacle of our recovery from COVID is groups and meetings, and I think 2025 will be a very good year for group business, because that business has already been committed. We know it’s already on the books,” Tkach said.

Decline in international travel

In mid-May, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), a global tourism body, reported that the U.S. is “on track to lose a staggering $12.5 billion in international visitor spending” in 2025.

In 2024, international visitor spending in the U.S. accounted for $181 billion. This year, it’s tracking toward less than $169 billion, an approximately 7% yearover-year decrease – and a 22.5% “decline

compared to the previous peak,” according to WTTC.

Michigan could feel some of that decline. In 2023, international visitors spent approximately $1.4 billion in the state, based on Pure Michigan data. A 7% decline in that number would cost Michigan nearly $100 million in visitor spending.

The state is already taking some hits. In April, U.S. Customs and Border Protection tracked 532,000 “conveyances” from Canada into Michigan, down 13.5% compared to the same month last year. It’s the third straight month of decline.

The decline in Canadian visitorship follows calls from former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his

citizens to stop financially supporting the U.S. economy.

“Now is also the time to choose Canada,” Trudeau said in a February speech, in response to President Trump’s decision to impose hefty tariffs on Canadian goods. Trudeau, who was still prime minister at the time, encouraged Canadians to buy Canadian-made products and to “support our manufacturers, our workers, entrepreneurs, and artists,” but also floated the idea of halting cross-border travel. In Canada, calls for boycotts on all things American have escalated since. “Feeling ‘Slapped Across the Face by Trump,’ Canadians Say They’ll Skip U.S. Trips,” proclaimed a New York Times headline in

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February. That article highlighted everything from individual travelers cancelling U.S. vacations to Canadian travel agencies observing a “softening in cross-border travel bookings.” Executives for Canada’s two largest airlines even told the Times they were adjusting flight schedules to account for a slowdown in U.S. bookings.

The good news for Michigan is that, despite the state’s proximity to the Canadian border, Canada ultimately accounts for a relatively small percentage of Michigan tourism. That’s according to Nick Nerbonne, media and digital director for Travel Michigan – the MEDC office that executes the Pure Michigan campaign. Based on “an independent study by Tourism Economics reflecting travel in 2023,” Michigan tallied 714,900 visitors from Canada in 2023, Nerbonne said, “with Canadian visitors spending $237.8 million in destinations and communities throughout the state.”

To put those Canadian travel numbers in perspective, the same report concluded that, overall, “128.3 million visitors to Michigan contributed $29.3 billion in direct visitor spending in 2023, resulting in $53.2 billion in total economic impact to Michigan’s economy.”

While Tkach says that Traverse City has never relied heavily on Canadian visitors – or even international travelers more broadly – for business, he admits that even losing one piece of the area’s tourism puzzle could have a noticeable impact.

“When you think about the tapestry of travel industry needs here in Traverse City and throughout Michigan, it takes a lot of different pieces fill out the picture. You can’t rely on just type of business; you have to be very diversified,” he said. “Internationals have been a part of that mix for many, many years.”

The Sleeping Bear question mark

One of the biggest questions about this summer for northern Michigan tourism is whether Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will be operating at full strength.

Amidst Trump-ordered federal hiring freezes earlier this year, the National Park Service (NPS) rescinded roughly 400 job offers for would-be seasonal staff. According to the Washington Post, NPS hires approximately 7,500 people each summer to accommodate peak traffic demands.

Sleeping Bear, in particular, depends heavily on seasonal staff. Per NPS data, the park typically has around 46 permanent staff and brings in another 83 seasonal employees to manage and conserve its 71,318 acres, 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 105 miles of trails, three visitor centers, two islands and 357 campsites.

The January hiring freezes were followed by a Valentine’s Day layoff of approximately 1,000 NPS employees and subsequent springtime voluntary buyouts or early retirements of another 2,500 staff, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.

While NPS has since resumed seasonal hiring, parks experts have questioned whether the loss of long-time staffers and the late start to summer recruitment could mean short-handed national parks during the summer 2025 season. Speaking to travel writer Wes Siler, Jonathan Jarvis, NPS director during the Obama years, noted that January and February are “the critical hiring window” for seasonal NPS employees, and explained that seasonal hires were vital for “everything from cleaning restrooms to fighting fires to backcountry patrol.”

Sleeping Bear Superintendent Scott Tucker did not respond to a request for comment for this article, and has previously directed media to “the Washington office” when asked about hiring freezes or other Trump administration decisions. Notably, in March, ProPublica reported that the federal government was sending emails to parks leaders and front-line staff, providing “instructions on how to describe the highly publicized staff cuts” and instructing them not to blame park closures or reduced services on staffing.

“People are coming regardless, but what they experience at the Dunes may not be the same as what they have in previous years,” Tkach said when asked about the issue earlier this year. “There’s certain programming and certain assets that require a full team of park employees to facilitate. If the park is understaffed, it will fall to Scott and his team to prioritize what stays and what goes. And there’s a real possibility that visitors won’t have full access to certain parts of the park. Things like campgrounds, visitor centers, trails, or restrooms could be closed. That definitely diminishes the experience for the visitor.”

One part of the park will definitely

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be closed – albeit, not because of staffing cuts. A U.S. Department of Interior spokesperson confirmed to the Leelanau Ticker in March that NPS would be moving forward with approximately $32 million in infrastructure upgrades to the North and South Manitou islands, including dock replacements and work on electrical, drinking water and septic systems. North Manitou Island will be closed to visitors this summer to allow for those projects to proceed, while South Manitou will shuttered for the 2026 season.

Megan and Jimmy Munoz own Manitou Island Transit, which provides ferry service to the islands from a hub in Leland. The pair say the island closures will both put a strain on their business and cost Sleeping Bear some camping traffic for the next two seasons.

“There’s a whole different clientele [for the two islands],” Megan told the Leelanau Ticker this spring. “North offers a wilderness camping experience the likes of which is not easy to find, especially in the Midwest. North really attracts a certain type of camper. South Manitou, you’ll get more of your families on group campsites.”

“North is a much bigger island than South, and South Manitou has a capacity limit,” Jimmy added. “We’re not far from that limit as is, so we don’t have the ability to take more people to South Manitou to make up for North being closed. Which is something we think the park should have foreseen – perhaps by increasing the capacity of the islands by creating more camping sites.”

The Munozes have filed a lawsuit against the NPS, alleging breach of contract. That lawsuit pertains to a long history of dock access troubles at the Manitous, including a temporary dock installation at North Manitou last summer that the Munozes claim made it impossible for them to access that island for the entire season.

“We’ve asked to be compensated for not being able to make that money,” Jimmy said of the lawsuit.

Manitou Island Transit won a breach of contract lawsuit against the NPS in 2021, over similar island access and compensation issues.

Reduced campsite inventory

North Manitou Island isn’t the only camping option that will be off the table

for northern Michigan travelers this season. Beginning Monday, July 7 – the week after the National Cherry Festival – the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will close the campground at Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park to make way for $8.5 million in improve ments. The project – which will encompass the demolition and replacement of the campground’s lodge, the relocation of the park’s entrance, and the removal of the pedestrian bridge over US-31 – isn’t set to be finished until the 2027 camping season.

While Traverse City has no shortage of lodging options overall, between hotels and short-term rentals, Tkach says losing Keith J. Charters and its 348 campsites for a season and a half will still hamstring the area’s tourism sector.

“Anytime you take away an option, it’s a lost customer,” Tkach explained. “And you can’t convert a camper. If somebody’s com ing to camp, they’re going to try to find a campsite. It’s not ‘I can’t find a campground in Traverse City, so I guess I’ll get a hotel in Traverse City.’ It’s ‘I guess now I’m going to St. Ignace or Pictured Rocks.’”

According to the DNR’s Stephanie Rosinski, unit supervisor for both the Keith J. Charters State Park and the Leelanau State Park in Northport, the Traverse City State Park saw 41,000 campsite bookings and 133,000 individual campers in 2024. Based on traffic patterns from past years, the TCBN estimates that the park will miss out on 65,000 bookings and more than 200,000 visitors during its year and a half long closure.

While Rosinski says DNR staff will try to encourage would-be campers to book at other nearby state park campgrounds in Interlochen, Cadillac, Boyne City or Northport, she admits the department doesn’t have a great way of redirecting traffic.

“Roughly 85% of our reservations are made online but when people call the call center, the agents are pretty good about trying to help book in the same area with similar amenities,” she said.

While Tkach is hopeful would-be Traverse City campers will opt for one of the nearby options Rosinski mentioned, he’s skeptical those areas will even have the space to take in overflow traffic.

“There’s maybe not even an alternative to camp nearby, because we’re often

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at maximum capacity in the region in the summertime,” Tkach said. “So, it’s just lost revenue for the city and for the region. You can’t replace it. It’d be a different story if we weren’t at that level of capacity. But in the summer, the campsites here are sold. You can’t go to a KOA or another campground nearby, because that place is probably already at capacity.”

“It’s just unfortunate,” he added. “I mean, I completely get it: you’ve got to take care of the campground. But a lot of people will be sad to see that shuttered, and we will definitely see an economic impact.”

biggest-ever June, August and September. Airport CEO Kevin Klein is expecting that growth trend to continue in 2025. Already this year, he says, TVC experienced such a busy spring break period that it had to open up emergency overflow parking –and fast-track the design and construction of a new 500-space parking lot.

Per Klein, recent growth with regards to airline service to and from Traverse City is driving most of TVC’s record-breaking traffic as of late.

“What we are seeing is that consumers still plan to travel, and Traverse City is still a destination of interest.”

the region, as well as an anchor event at the Open Space on Saturday.

“August has lost a little bit of energy, and we think this will be a national draw and can help with air service, mid-week occupancy and keeping the hotels and short-term rentals running at as high of a capacity as we can through the peak season,” Tkach told The Ticker ahead of the festival’s public announcement. “We’re trying to make the most of the summer months as we can.”

“One of the reasons I’m expecting a great summer is forward-looking seats,” Klein said.

– Trevor Tkach, President and CEO, Traverse City Tourism

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What could that economic impact look like? According to the Traverse City State Park’s general management plan from 2021, “campers from a single vehicle reported spending an average of $272 in the 24 hours prior to being surveyed,” mostly at nearby restaurants, bars, and grocery stores. Assuming a 48-hour stay (the campground average is two to three nights, per the management plan) and the aforementioned estimate of 65,000 lost campsite bookings, the state park’s 2025-26 closure could amount to a more than $35 million hit for the Traverse City economy.

OPPORTUNITIES

While most of the question marks for Traverse City’s summer 2025 tourism season have to do with challenges and hurdles, there are two big opportunities that could push the needle in the opposite direction.

Growth at Cherry Capital Airport

The past two years have both been record breakers for Cherry Capital Airport (TVC). In 2023, the airport tallied 700,699 passengers, its biggest calendar year since TVC opened in 1936. Then, in 2024, TVC shattered that record by 12.3%, recording 787,114 passengers. 2024 also saw the airport’s busiest month ever (124,000 passengers, in July), as well as its

“We are looking at about a 37% increase in seats in our market for this summer compared to last summer. There are just more opportunities to travel.”

Examples of TVC’s growing service offerings include a non-stop flight to Charlotte, North Carolina, which recently went yearround; and direct flights to destinations like Dallas and Denver, which have been running in the summer and are now reaching into the off-season.

“I think our market has always been underserved by the airlines,” Klein said. “With the addition of all these new seats, the airlines are finally serving the passengers that would have normally made the choice to travel with us. And so, instead of what we’ve seen in the past, where people might drive down to Grand Rapids, Detroit, or even Chicago to travel, now, they’re being captured here. I think that makes a big difference.”

A new festival

TCT is trying to fill the void left in northern Michigan’s tourism ecosystem by the Traverse City Film Festival, which sunset after its 2022 incarnation. Tkach and his team recently announced Traverse City Food & Wine, a five-day festival scheduled August 20-24 featuring “guest chefs, cooking classes and demonstrations, wine tastings and intimate dining experiences” at more than 20 locations across

Tkach adds that TCT has the resources and runway to commit to the event long-term, in contrast to past organizers with short-lived culinary events who were dependent on immediate financial returns to continue.

“Our objective isn’t necessarily to make money,” he said. “I don’t want to lose a ton of money, but it’s an investment for us. The branding is really the goal.”

The centerpiece of Traverse City Food & Wine, called “The Grand Tasting,” will kick off at noon on Saturday, August 23. According to an event description on the festival’s website, that ticketed event will allow attendees to “taste the true flavors of Traverse City and enjoy perfect bites and sips that epitomize the region,” with opportunities to engage directly with local chefs and more than 30 wineries.

A main stage component, hosted by Amy Smart and Carter Oosterhouse, will feature “conversations with and cooking demonstrations by many of our guest chefs, including Tyler Florence, Mei Lin, Sarah Welch, Kate Williams, and more.”

Florence, a 29-year veteran of Food Network, has been tapped as the festival’s headliner. A two-time James Beard nominee, Florence actually worked briefly at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in his early career before joining the Food Network. He’ll return to the Resort as part of the festival to lead a four-course tasting dinner.

Other events throughout the week will include winery estate dinners, educational tastings with food and wine pairings, a 5K run/walk at Black Star Farms on Leelanau Peninsula, cooking demonstrations at the Traverse City Farmers Market, food and wine sails aboard the Wind Dancer and the Nauti-Cat, and more.

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MARKETING AT 15 MPH

What it’s like to build a brand on Mackinac Island

By Kierstin Gunsberg

On paper, McKenzie Mac’s job sounds like a dream. And if asked, she’ll say that it is. As the marketing manager for The Inn at Stonecliffe, a newly renovated luxury resort perched above Lake Huron on Mackinac Island, her days are filled with influencer calls, brand strategy meetings and the kind of scenic photo ops most marketers can only hope for – all with a view of the Straits of Mackinac.

But the reality of promoting a high-end resort on an island that has zero cars, 365 days of fickle weather and a supply chain reliant on ferries and horse-drawn carriages?

It might not be everyone’s dream job.

Still, for Mac, a Traverse City local who first cut her island teeth in 2023 as the content marketing coordinator for the Grand Hotel, problem-solving is part of the appeal.

“I love the challenge of blending creativity with logistics,” she said. “Which, on an island, can be a puzzle of its own.”

The logistics of luxury

Since The Inn at Stonecliffe reopened last year after a two-year hiatus and massive $40 million overhaul, Mac has been a key player in repositioning the historic property, handling everything from campaign launches to hand-writing guest welcome cards. As they reintroduce the brand after its hiatus, that personal touch is something Mac thinks makes Stonecliffe’s image feel as approachable as it is elevated.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is ensuring with our team that every guest feels a genuine sense of warmth and welcome from the moment they arrive,” she said.

So, even when last-minute amenities are needed, she’ll lace up her sneakers, throw a windbreaker over her blazer and make the nearly two-mile trek from Stonecliffe to Market Street, where the island’s provisions are stocked in a handful of shops and general stores that feel like a blast from the 18th century past.

That’s just hospitality when there’s no nearby big-box store or same-day delivery to save the day.

But not everything can be found on Market Street.

Life on the island depends on ferry freight. From May through October, food and beverage deliveries arrive six days a week, often via semi trucks loaded onto the ferry and hauled across the straits. With weddings and special events already filling Stonecliffe’s 2025 calendar, Mac has to stay a step ahead — working with event planners and her marketing team to figure out everything that needs to make its way over, from fresh-cut flowers to the bridal party itself.

“You have to think about all the differ-

ent details that you want to put together,” she said of the dominating factors in her job. “That’s very much a part of planning things.”

While shipments are en route, Mac also coordinates with dockhands and porters to ensure guests (and their luggage) get from the ferry to Stonecliffe’s brickpaved entrance. One way she helps guests stay present from the moment they arrive at the island’s docks is by loading their awaiting carriages with snacks and drinks to shift their focus away from the clock and onto the metronomic rhythm of hoofbeats.

That kind of forethought is pivotal to Stonecliffe’s brand. Guests should feel all of the magic, without ever glimpsing the work behind the scenes.

“People always ask, ‘What is marketing?’” said Mac, who graduated from Illinois’s Lake Forest College in 2018 and now splits her time between the island and her hometown of Traverse City. “I always kind of want to say, ‘How much time do you have? Let’s go get coffee.’ Because there are so many aspects to it.”

Especially in luxury hospitality, she added, where guests are seeking immersive, sensory-rich experiences.

“At the end of the day, you’re really trying to sell a product. You really have to understand your market and have a heartbeat behind what you’re selling,” she said.

Her island guests aren’t stopping in for a quick sleep on their way to somewhere else.

“They’re coming to taste, to feel, to get away from things,” she said.

Mac may wear many hats but so has Stonecliffe since its 1904 debut as the private summer estate of Chicago meatpacking mogul Michael Cudahy. Over the decades, it’s been a retreat, a shortlived Bible college, and since the 1970s, a resort. In 2021, the property took on a new identity when ownership shifted from members of the Pulte family to the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

The foundation now funnels 100% of its net profits — along with proceeds from other foundation-owned properties like St. John’s Resort in Plymouth — into educational and humanitarian initiatives, which Mac said was a “big draw” for her to the role.

In 2023, those efforts generated more than $10 million.

The two-year-long renovation of Stonecliffe included a top-to-bottom refresh of its 16-room main inn, a new fleet of guest cottages, updated employee housing and air conditioning throughout – a rare find on the island. The preservation-focused re-design echoes Lake Huron’s cobalt hues and helped land the resort on Time magazine’s 2024 list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places.

The realities of island life

No matter how much planning goes into creating an ideal experience at one of the world’s greatest places, island life comes with curveballs.

Late last summer, a squirrel knocked out power across Mackinac Island during guest checkout — a reminder of the infrastructure challenges that come with

small-island living. This spring, a deadly two-day ice storm swept through Michigan, causing more than $200 million in damage across northern Michigan, including to Mackinac Island’s famed lilac trees and parts of the M-185 highway that leads visitors to iconic landmarks like Arch Rock.

While bookings look like they haven’t taken a hit despite the damage, Mac said Stonecliffe is keeping a close eye on things

The preservation-focused redesign helped land the resort on Time magazine’s 2024 list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places.

as the Lilac Festival approaches. One of the island’s biggest tourism events, the 10-day celebration draws thousands each June — and Stonecliffe’s rooms during the festival can go for more than $1,000 a night.

Even when things are going according to plan, it’s still a whirlwind.

That whirlwind takes a village. Each May through October, an influx of roughly 5,000 seasonal hospitality workers land on the island.

During the 12-week peak season, more than one million visitors descend on the four-square-mile island, creating a version of small-town life at maximum intensity. Then, come late fall, things quiet down so much they can feel a bit lonely, notes Mac.

But even in the off-season, the community remains active. Mackinac’s K-12 school was home to 63 students for the 2024–25 school year and nearby is a small medical center with emergency services, plus Doud’s Market, a historic outpost recognized as the oldest continually operating grocery store in America.

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While resources may be limited there, anyone who’s ever been to the island knows that there’s an abundance of three things: fudge, kids who aren’t very good at riding bikes and horse poop.

When the weather turns wet, “You need full rain pants and a raincoat and umbrella if you’re walking,” Mac joked. “Because there is so much horse poop, and when it rains ... it’s really not very pleasant.”

Still, Mac’s making the best of rural island life. Outside of work she’s found connections playing pickleball at Turtle Park and attending services at Little Stone Church. And having grown up in Traverse City, where she commutes back to throughout the year, she said she’s learned to appreciate the rhythms of a seasonal economy, which means enjoying the downtime before the summertime reality kicks in.

“Working on Mackinac can be for anyone,” said Mac.

But it’s no all-expenses paid vacation.

“You’re really just grinding out on the island while you’re in season,” she said.

Let’s grow together.

LIFE IN THE BIG CITY

Traverse

City

is officially a

metro area

By Rick Haglund

It probably won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has watched the exploding development or been stuck in gridlocked traffic, but Traverse City has officially been designated a metropolitan statistical area (MSA).

The label isn’t just a recognition of the region’s booming population growth over the past several decades. Becoming a metropolitan area will open up potentially millions of dollars in new state and federal funding and provide local officials with more in-depth economic data to help them make better-informed policy decisions.

“That’s going to help us dial in on a whole bunch of things – what industries are growing, which ones are lagging, what occupations are growing and which ones are lagging,” said Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect, an economic development agency.

Becoming an MSA also provides the region with data to benchmark its economic performance against larger, more vibrant communities than it was able to

as a smaller micropolitan statistical area, Call says.

But to some, the metro area designation is a sad reminder that the Traverse City area is no longer a laid-back rural paradise defined by its pristine bay, cherries and mom-and-pop businesses.

“We’re ruining what made Traverse City so nice,” said former Mayor Jim Carruthers, who has long opposed efforts to attract more tourists and permanent residents to the area.

A metropolitan statistical area is defined as one that has at least one urban area of 50,000 people or more plus adjacent territory that “has a high degree of social and economic integration” with the urban core as measured by commuting patterns.

The new Traverse City MSA consists of Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties and is one of 15 MSAs in the state. Those four counties had a population of 157,000 in 2024, according to the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics (MCDA), a state agency.

Most of Grand Traverse County, and

“We are really honed in on what it takes to have a year-round economy.”

— Warren Call, President/CEO, Traverse Connect

Bingham and Elmwood townships in Leelanau County make up the urban core of the MSA.

It’s rare for slow-growing Michigan to produce a new MSA. Dylan Schafer, an economic manager at the MCDA, said he couldn’t determine when the last one was designated, but says it’s likely been decades ago.

Over the past 10 years, the population of the Traverse City metro area has grown

by 5.6%, more than three times higher than Michigan’s 1.7% growth rate in the same period. Grand Traverse County’s population alone has jumped from 39,175 in 1970 to 96,625 last year, a nearly 250% increase in the past 55 years.

The four counties became eligible for MSA status after the 2020 census but weren’t formally designated as a metro area until March. The state also began

releasing more detailed monthly employment and payroll jobs data that month.

Traverse City’s payroll jobs growth between March of 2024 and this past March was by far the highest of any MSA in the state at 3.4%. The Midland MSA ranked second with a growth rate of 1.8% in the same period.

“Traverse City was well above the pack,” Schafer said.

But wage data released by the state shows the area’s reputation for low pay hasn’t been completely erased. The median hourly wage in the Traverse City MSA of $22.37 in 2024 was slightly less than the statewide median of $23.22. Traverse City ranked ninth among the state’s 15 MSAs in that measure.

Traverse City had nine occupations with more than 1,000 workers last year and only two of them paid a median wage of more than $21 an hour. General and operations managers earned a median wage of $40.24 an hour, while registered nurses took home a median wage of $38.83 an hour.

The major industries in the Traverse City MSA are retail trade, education and health services, leisure and hospitality and government. The economy is more seasonal than most MSAs, owing to the region’s reputation as a premier vacation destination.

Call says the broader range of employment and economic data available will help Traverse Connect in developing a higher-income, less-seasonal economy.

“There’s not enough growth in jobs in the advanced industries,” he said. “Rapid [population] growth hasn’t brought the full benefits of growth over the past 25 years.”

Growth in the region was “largely unmanaged” until about 10 years ago, Call says. But local officials are focusing more on attracting and retaining higher-paid technology jobs. He points to organizations such as TC New Tech and 20Fathoms that nurture tech startup businesses.

“We are really honed in on what it takes

to have a year-round economy,” Call said.

Preparations for becoming an MSA began decades ago with the formation of a task force to study a potential transportation bypass around Traverse City.

The task force was renamed the Traverse Transportation Coordinating Initiative in 2016 and was certified as a Metropolitan Planning Organization by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2023.

The MPO, staffed by Networks Northwest, is responsible for developing a transportation plan required of MSAs by the federal government.

With MSA status, the Traverse City area is receiving more than $1 million a year in federal transportation funds, up from about $300,000 annually in the past.

The Traverse City MSA also becomes eligible for more funding from a variety of federal programs, including housing, community development and homeland security, says Rob Carson, regional director of community development at Networks Northwest.

But the bad news is that those funds could dry up because of budget negotiations in Washington.

“Most of these programs, if not all of them, would be eliminated” under President Donald Trump’s proposed budget, Carson said.

“At this point, it’s kind of unknown what’s going to occur,” he said.

Nevertheless, having a broad coalition of local officials craft a transportation plan is crucial to the area, says retired Traverse City city planner Russ Soyring.

Soyring says he would like to see more population density in Traverse City and other towns in the region to reduce urban sprawl. He says the region cannot continue to build new roads and utilities, and maintain them, to accommodate growth.

“We’ll go broke,” he said. “Having additional data and working collaboratively [as an MSA] to find solutions will be a real plus for the area.”

Carson Schafer

BACK TO THE MOTOR LODGE

Family-owned motels lure guests with curated kitsch and charm

By Kierstin Gunsberg

Tourist season has officially kicked off, but early signs suggest it might not hit the highs of recent years.

Last year, Traverse City Tourism told The Ticker that peak-July overnight stays dipped slightly, and with tariff tensions rising and consumer confidence at a 12year low, that softening could continue –especially if local patterns mirror national ones. Nationwide, hotel spending fell 6% year-over-year in February, and international travel to the U.S. is projected to drop nearly 10% in 2025, per Tourism Economics.

When the economy dips, drive markets rise

A slowdown doesn’t mean vacations are off the table. When the economy tightens, travelers tend to skip the flights and ditch the frills, opting instead for closer-to-home getaways that are easier on the wallet.

Northern Michigan’s revamped motels say they’re ready for it.

Marta Turnbull, owner of Motel Bear Lake, says that shift is already showing up in her bookings. Since she and business

partner Kendall McIntyre purchased the former Bella Vista Motel in 2023, their 20-room spot near Bear Lake’s all-sports lake has seen steady bookings. Last year, they topped out at 1,250 and they’re gearing up to add to that figure this summer, in part because of the economic uncertainty.

It’s something Turnbull factored into her business plan from day one.

“When you’re looking at getting a fiveyear loan from a bank, they want to see what you’re going to do in the next five years,” she said.

With an election year looming and travel still in flux post-COVID, she

made “recession resiliency” core to her pitch. Recession resiliency, she explained, is something most properly run motels can expect.

Turnbull, who got her start in hospitality as an Airbnb host, says she’s seen firsthand how travelers adapt in tough times.

Motel Bear Lake (Jackie Blair Photography).

Motel Bear Lake (Jackie Blair Photography)

“It’s similar to what we saw during COVID, where people weren’t flying places, but they were driving,” and, she said, opting for smaller, more private accommodations along the way. “My Airbnb in Traverse City saw huge jumps in occupancy and nightly rates in 2020 and 2021.”

Now, with international trips feeling out of reach for many, she believes domestic travel — and the motels that support it — will see renewed interest.

“Instead of a big European vacation, people are pursuing something kitsch, unique and experience-based,” she said.

STRs are losing favor with travelers

Turnbull’s also noticed a change in what travelers want. While Airbnb once promised charm and novelty, she says many listings have started to feel generic. Plus, they’re a lot of work, often coming with added cleaning fees and the expectation that guests will execute a list of housekeeping tasks before check out that’s leading to growing STR wariness.

That’s opened the door for motels that offer more personality and options while still feeling like a getaway.

Turnbull said there was a time when chain hotel uniformity was the gold standard, citing Mark Okrant’s book, “No Vacancy: The Rise, Demise, and Reprise of America’s Motels.”

“People wanted every lobby to look the same, every room to look the same,” she said. “That became the ideal.”

Today’s travelers, she said, want the opposite: vintage charm, curated extras and the kind of personalized touches short-term rentals once promised. At Motel Bear Lake, that means offering stocked board games, a variety of specialty teas and

an admittedly high-maintenance, 60-yearold pool that Turnbull says makes staying at the motel part of the experience and not just a place to crash.

“All of those people who were early adopters to short-term rentals are looking for the next thing,” Turnbull said. “That’s where boutique accommodations really come in.”

Last-minute stays are gaining popularity

With booking windows shrinking nationally, motels like The Sierra in Traverse

Round up everyday purchases to support animals in need.

Sunrise Landing in Northport.

The Sierra Motel on Munson Avenue (Rafael Quiroz Photography).

these places have been around for 60 or 70 years. It’s not like we haven’t seen lean years.”

“Some of these places have been around for 60 or 70 years. It’s not like we haven’t seen lean years.”

–Rachel Tompkins, Owner, Sunrise Landing

last-minhotels Napa their industheir fresh. going, let’s 1957, jump to it in booked high-value back northern their renyear, necessary

–Rachel Tompkins, Owner, Sunrise Landing

City are in high demand for both last-minute and shorter stays, things larger hotels and resorts can’t always accommodate.

Dusty motels are a thing of the past

“Unfortunately, most people that don’t stay in motels ... there’s a reason for it,” Barrett said. “They’re very hit or miss. You don’t know what you’re going to get, so you’re kind of taking a chance.”

Barrett and Andrea Corrigan, The Sierra’s new owners, moved from Napa Valley to Traverse City in 2023 with their young daughter.

As motels make their comeback, the Corrigans are working to change that perception, adding hints of their West Coast background, from retro in-room appliances to a new sunny yellow road sign with vintage typography.

Andrea, a longtime business owner, brought a background in the beauty industry, Barrett in wine hospitality — but their shared goal was to start something fresh.

“It’s not like we were sitting here going, ‘Traverse City needs another motel, let’s just move there,’” Barrett said.

But the 20-room motor lodge on Munson Avenue, in business since 1957, caught the couple’s eye.

“We saw an opportunity to really jump in,” he said.

Well aware that they’re hospitality newcomers to an area with thousands of rooms, the Corrigans are niching down and positioning The Sierra as an elevated but accessible option for the beach, wine, dine (and repeat) market.

And jump in they did. From the moment they landed in Traverse City to take over The Sierra after purchasing it in May of 2023, the Corrigans were in go-mode, with the motel already booked solid when they arrived.

“I like to say [we’re] kind of a motel vibe with a hotel culture,” that means on-demand service for guests, added Barrett.

Living on-site, the Corrigans are there every day cleaning the rooms, washing linens and greeting guests themselves, even if it means setting down their dinner to do so.

Rachel Tompkins of Sunrise Landing in Northport has known that hands-on hospitality lifestyle since she was a kid.

Guests, notes the Corrigans, seem to be looking for a no-frills, high-value room – think clean and updated a/c, furniture and mini-fridge – to come back to after a full day of exploring northern Michigan.

So, once they were able to catch their breath, the Corrigans undertook a full renovation of the motel that wrapped last year, something they knew would be necessary to maintain The Sierra’s bookings.

Growing up, her parents owned Sunrise Landing, a 12-room roadside motel on the Leelanau peninsula, where she remembers both playing along its Lake Michigan shoreline and getting fired from housekeeping duties at age 11 after a run-in with the boss (her dad).

While she was quickly rehired for that role, Tompkins spent a good majority of her adult career working in marketing, far away from her hometown. But when she returned to northern Michigan a decade ago to help her parents navigate a health crisis, it became apparent that the motel would need new owners.

At the time, big investors were eyeing the 150-foot waterfront property, and Tompkins feared it might be torn down or turned into condos.

“It’s an old building from the ‘60s,” she said, adding that at the time, “Motels were not where people wanted to stay.”

“I like to say [we’re] kind of a motel vibe with a hotel culture,” that means on-demand service for guests, added Barrett.

Still, she couldn’t imagine leaving the place to fate. She and her husband Dan bought and overhauled the property in 2016. Now, their own family is growing up there. While Tompkins acknowledged that maintaining a midcentury waterfront property can eat into margins, she said, “The better the year, the more upgrades we make.”

Living on-site, the Corrigans are there every day cleaning the rooms, washing linens and greeting guests themselves, even if it means setting down their dinner to do so.

Rachel Tompkins of Sunrise Landing in Northport has known that hands-on hospitality lifestyle since she was a kid.

Even if this year’s shaky economy results in fewer bookings instead of the anticipated surge, Tompkins isn’t overly concerned. It’s a cycle most local moteliers know well. Unlike hotels and resorts with high overhead and large staff rosters, Tompkins noted that motels operate on a smaller scale, giving them the flexibility to adapt when times get tough.

At the time, big investors were eyeing the 150-foot waterfront property, and Tompkins feared it might be torn down or turned into condos.

“It’s an old building from the ‘60s,” she said, adding that at the time, “Motels were not where people wanted to stay.”

“Some of these places have been around for 60 or 70 years. It’s not like we haven’t seen lean years,” she said.

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Traverse City | Lake Charlevoix

By Josh Traeger, columnist

Last month, we posted a legal operations coordinator position at True North Legal Group. It was a part-time, flexible role based in Traverse City. Within two days, we had 38 applicants.

Most came from Michigan or nearby states — but a handful trickled in from around the globe, including Nigeria and South Korea.

We weren’t hiring internationally for this role, but the interest made one thing clear: Even in Northern Michigan, our businesses are on the radar of international professionals. The hiring landscape isn’t confined by geography anymore — and thanks to new changes in the H-1B visa program, small businesses like ours might finally have a shot at bringing that global talent on board.

What is the H-1B Visa?

The H-1B visa is a temporary work authorization that allows U.S. businesses to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations – typically roles that require a bachelor’s degree or higher in fields like engineering, healthcare, information technology or finance.

It’s how many companies, especially in STEM industries, have filled technical roles when domestic talent has been in short supply. But historically, the system has been cumbersome, expensive and tilted in favor of large corporations with armies of attorneys and HR personnel to navigate the process. For small businesses, it often felt like bringing a kazoo to a brass band audition.

That’s why recent reforms are so promising.

What’s Changing — and Why It Matters

The Department of Homeland Security recently announced major updates to the H-1B process and the most consequential shift is this: The system now prioritizes applicants instead of employers.

Under the old model, a large employer could flood the system with multiple entries for the same candidate — dramatically increasing their odds in the annual lottery. A small business, on the other hand, might get just one crack at it.

Now, every candidate is allowed only one entry into the lottery, regardless of how

VISA VISION

A Northern Michigan opportunity in the H-1B shake-up

many employers are vying to hire them. This change creates a more level playing field and gives small businesses a fairer chance to secure global talent.

Additional updates include:

• A more centralized and digitized application system that’s easier to use (and doesn’t feel like deciphering ancient federal code).

• Clearer definitions of what qualifies as a specialty occupation, helping businesses better determine which roles are eligible

• Increased transparency in how selections are made and notifications are processed.

• Bottom line? The program is no longer as intimidating or exclusive – and it’s more accessible to businesses that have never considered hiring internationally before.

Northern Michigan Is Global — Let’s Act Like It

We love to talk about “local” in northern Michigan. Local produce. Local coffee. Local roots. But in today’s economy, “local” and “global” aren’t opposites – they’re partners.

Whether it’s a Traverse City software startup, a Petoskey-based health platform, or a family-owned agricultural processor in Benzie County, our region is brimming with innovation. But that innovation often demands niche expertise — expertise that isn’t always readily available just down the road.

That’s where the H-1B program comes in.

Imagine a Suttons Bay business hiring a French data analyst to refine user engagement. Or a Grand Traverse County

efficiency. These aren’t fantasy scenarios. They’re attainable opportunities under the newly modernized visa rules and they could bring new talent and global citizens to our amazing community.

And best of all? You don’t need a Manhattan budget or a Silicon Valley address to take advantage of them.

What Small Businesses Should Do Now

If this is the first time you’ve seriously considered international hiring, great. Now is the right moment to get familiar with the basics and position your business for future success.

1. Identify roles that are difficult to fill locally. Start by reviewing your business needs. Are you consistently struggling to find talent with a specific skill set? That’s a clue you might benefit from expanding your reach.

2. Understand the H-1B timeline. The lottery system for H-1B visas opens just once per year – typically in March – but employers should begin preparing months in advance. From registration to petition, it’s a multi-phase process with strict deadlines.

3. Work with professionals who know the terrain. Immigration law isn’t something you want to DIY. Find legal partners and recruiters who understand the process and can help you navigate compliance, documentation and filing — ideally in a way that doesn’t require a caffeine-fueled decoding session of federal forms in six-point font.

4. Broaden your job marketing. If you’re serious about reaching a global audience, your job listings need to reflect

even university networks with strong international alumni pipelines.

5. Build systems that support remote collaboration. Even if you’re not hiring overseas this year, your HR, IT and onboarding processes should be nimble enough to support global team members when the time comes.

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

At True North Legal Group, we work with growing businesses every day and we know the frustration that comes with trying to find the right person for a specialized role. That’s why these new H-1B reforms feel like more than just a policy tweak. They feel like a real opportunity. They represent a shift in mindset: that small businesses should have just as much access to world-class talent as the global giants. That a northern Michigan business with a bold vision should be able to hire the best, no matter where that person lives.

And let’s be honest — if you can decode federal immigration forms and understand visa caps before your second cup of coffee, you probably deserve that employee anyway.

So let’s embrace the change. Let’s build smarter teams. And let’s prove – once again – that northern Michigan businesses are capable of thinking globally, acting locally and thriving everywhere in between.

Josh Traeger is the founding attorney of True North Legal Group, a community-centered law practice based in Traverse City. He can be reached at (231)800-8654 or josh@truenorthlegalgroup.com. Learn more about True North Legal Group at www.truenorthlegalgroup.com.

‘WE ALWAYS WANT TO DO BETTER:’

After 10 years, Hop Lot and Lake Ann Brewing reach higher

By Art Bukowski

You’d be hard-pressed to find a pair of breweries that mean more to their local communities than Lake Ann Brewing and Hop Lot.

While Traverse City and its immediate environs have been littered with various breweries for quite some time, Lake Ann in Benzie County and Hop Lot in Suttons Bay were among the first to bring fresh, handcrafted suds to outlying locales. Their founders figured that folks wanted to get great beer close to home instead of having to head into town. With beer naturally came live music, tasty food and the cultivation of genuine community built around these things.

Now, 10 years after they both opened their doors, their hunch has proven correct. Both businesses are extremely popular and have become true anchors of their towns’ social scenes. They’ve also grown up together, with their owners in regular communication about what works, what doesn’t and how to make things better.

The TCBN sat down with Lake Ann founder and owner Matt Therrien and Hop Lot co-founder and co-owner Drew Lutke to discuss the past, present and future of their hip hangouts.

LE GA CY

Humble beginnings in Lake Ann

Therrien had a background in construction and real estate, but was knee-deep in “daddy day care” when he first looked a foreclosed building in the heart of Lake Ann around 2012. He made an offer that was accepted in early 2014, with plans for a “half-assed” brewery. He’d been a home brewer for quite some time.

The build out began, and he and his wife Jennie logged long hours as the business took shape. Jennie eventually quit her job at Munson to devote to the brewery, and the pair steamed toward a mid-2015 opening.

“We did it all. We had no investors, no partners,” Therrien said. “We were all in.”

In June 2015, the place was still covered with sawdust when the first customers got a chance to taste – officially, at least –some Lake Ann beer.

“It was a Monday and we were supposed to get our license, so we were just waiting for the email. But every flat surface had things. Tubes of caulk, coffee cups, tape measures,” Therrien said. “Then we got the email, and I just started texting everybody that I know that we’re open and to get on in here.”

Therrien still remembers the weird feeling of having people pay him for his brew.

“The most surreal thing is the first people that come in and give you money to buy beer and you’re like – I can’t believe they’re paying for that,” he said. It was also a relief to get to that point. Therrien doesn’t fluster easily, but the path to opening had plenty of stress.

“You’re working every day, focused on this whole thing. Construction, pitfalls, does this work? Does that work? Trying to create a product that’s saleable. In the back of your head, it’s like ‘I don’t even know if I can freaking do this,’’ he said.

“Then it all culminates and you’re open, and the public is in.”

But Therrien wasn’t ready to rest on his laurels.

“I built houses, and when you were done, it was done,” he said. “But with this, you get done, and you’re just getting started”

Hop Lot takes shape

Hop Lot’s origins lie with brothers Steve and Drew Lutke and Steve’s wife

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Hop Lot beer garden.

Sarah. The brothers are from Holland and Sarah is from Suttons Bay, but all were living and working in Chicago about 15 years ago when a random promotion planted the seeds of what would later grow into Leelanau County’s most popular brewery.

“This all came from Groupon,” Drew said, referring to the online voucher site. “There was a Groupon for like $30 for a homebrew kit, and we started homebrewing.”

Steve’s schedule allowed him to dive deeper into this new hobby, and before anyone knew it, he was pretty obsessive about it.

“Steve was really getting into it. It got to the point where he wasn’t brewing the beer to consume it, he was brewing it to perfect it. He was getting into the science of it,” Drew said. “And then he was trying to think about some kind of commercial endeavor.”

In 2012, Steve and Sarah got married in Northport, a festive event complete with their home-brewed beer. A family acquaintance at that wedding was impressed by their brew and eventually became an angel investor of sorts, providing initial funding for a brewery. But there were stipulations.

“He said ‘I want my money to stay in Leelanau County,’” Drew said. ‘I don’t want this to go back to Holland where you guys are from. I don’t want it to go to Chicago. I want it in Leelanau.’”

So that covered the where. What about the what? Hop Lot’s entire vibe (an outdoor, family-friendly beer garden) came at least in part from a comment from Drew and Steve’s sister, who by that time already had little kids.

“She told us that she just loved going to spots and letting her kids run. The worst thing is when her kids were getting cooped up in a building and she was getting stared down by other customers or the staff,’’ Drew said. ‘So she said ‘Trust me, build that place where the kids can be kids and the parents can still enjoy themselves.’”

In a way, that gelled with what the brothers were already thinking. They just wanted a place where people could avoid long lines and get a quick beer in a relaxing, outdoor environment.

“It’s the whole reason people come up here,” Drew said. “It’s that vacation mindset. And we wanted to keep the natural, ‘Up North’ vibe. Coming from Holland, coming from Chicago, that’s what we would want.”

The team eventually found a roughly five-acre wooded property on the south end of Suttons Bay along M-22 and got to work. As with Lake Ann, the opening

came fast in the spring of 2015.

“It was a Saturday morning, we’re still painting, we’re moving stuff out of the way, and my brother says ‘We’re doing this, we’re opening up in like three hours,’” Drew said. “So he puts out a social media post and is texting people, and the taps were pouring. I think we did $1,000 that day.”

Going strong

Ten years later, Therrien and the Lutkes are proud and honored that their

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respective communities have embraced what they’ve built.

“It helps that there was no place to be [in Lake Ann] before, so we sort of filled a void,” Therrien said. “But we’re certainly grateful … it’s not even possible without these people. I’m totally indebted to the people who love us.”

“Seeing the same faces continuing to come back – and the families; we really do have a focal point on the families – has been really gratifying,” Drew added. “It’s what we set out to do.”

“I feel like every time I’m at Meijer, I always see Lake Ann Brewing merchandise on people,” he said. “They love the vibe, and they love what Matt’s created there.”

Ultimately, Therrien and the Lutke clan believe they’ve tapped into the fundamental customer desire for a cold beer in a cool place with virtually no wait.

“(My sister said) ‘Trust me, build that place where the kids can be kids and the parents can still enjoy themselves.’”

The vibe is a little bit different between the two joints. Hop Lot gets way more tourists than Lake Ann by virtue of its placement on M-22 and probably a few more hits in the news (it’s been recognized twice now by USA Today as one of the best beer gardens in America).

– Drew Lutke, Co-founder/ Co-owner, Hop Lot Brewing Co.

“I think that you can boil [our appeal] down to simplicity of what people want to do. I want to drink a beer. I want to not get hassled. I want to not have to explain myself when I get there. How many people do you have, stuff like that,” Therrien said. “Can I just have a beer? Can I just sit wherever? Can I maybe just stand somewhere?”

They’ve both also taken steps to get involved with their local communities.

enough to be satisfied with their current popularity. Quite the opposite, in fact. There’s constant pressure to improve.

“I really don’t even look at where I’m at – I’m always looking at where I want to be,” Therrien said. “Because this is a tough business. If you’re not looking ahead you’re staying the same, and if you’re staying the same, you’re getting worse because everyone else is getting better.”

Having that wiring is a big part of the reason they’ve got this far, the two owners say.

“Success is indicative of never being satisfied,” Therrien said. “Customers come in and say ‘This place looks great,’ and all I can see are things that need to be fixed.”

Drew said the Hop Lot garden is finally getting close to what they envisioned when they started all those years ago, but he’s never quite satisfied. His feelings toward the customers that have been loyal to Hop Lot over the years are what drives this constant desire for improvement.

“The reason why we keep expanding and innovating and updating is we feel like we owe it to these people to provide a better experience than the last time they came,” Drew said. “We always want to do better.”

The business isn’t easy. Drew is extremely envious of Therrien, who doesn’t make any food (Lake Ann’s neighbor Stone Oven handles all that). Hop Lot didn’t want to do food but realized they had to, and now it’s their biggest headache by far. Part of that is (you guessed it) a very hard time finding staff.

now makes on site. Lake Ann is working on a permanent, four-seasons music venue which will replace its music tent. They’ll both also have 10-year anniversary parties this month (see sidebar).

They hope to keep growing their businesses while staying true to what – and who – made them special in the first place.

“You can get anybody to come one time,” Therrien said. “It’s the people who keep coming that pay the freight.”

Hop Lot 10-Year Anniversary Party

“People always say, ‘Well, if you go to Traverse City, you gotta go to Moomers. You gotta go to the Hop Lot.’ I’m like, screw these guys – they’re hot,” Therrien said with a laugh. “We’re definitely more of the dive bar brewery, like the local contingent sitting at the bar drinking their beers and just hassling the waitstaff.”

Drew points out that Lake Ann has built quite a following in its own right.

“I’m like 157 feet from the church, Lake Ann United Methodist Church, and those old church ladies have our back. They had their Christmas Eve service during COVID outside at the brewery, on the stage with heaters and stuff,” Therrien said. “You have to be a part of the community.”

Looking ahead

For the Lutkes and Therrien, it’s not

“There can be 300 people in here, and they can get a beer in a minute. But the food is the biggest challenge for us,” Drew said. “Staffing the kitchen is 100 percent our biggest problem.”

Therrien and the Lutkes still speak on a regular basis – they have since their earliest days – to share ideas, commiserate and troubleshoot.

“It’s a coin flip on who’s cheaper, these guys or me,” Therrien said. “They’re Dutch, but I’m a real tightwad myself.”

On the horizon for Hop Lot is a better way to facilitate large groups and the introduction of distilled drinks, which it

Saturday, June 7

Noon - 9pm

BBQ, giveaways, drink specials, live music from Mike Moran, Levi Britton and Empire Highway

Lake Ann 10-Year Anniversary Weekend

Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14

2pm-10pm

Giveaways, drink specials, live music from Mike Moran, Broom Closet Boys, Rock Hat and more

Drew Lutke and Matt Therrien at Hop Lot.

Music at Lake Ann Brewing.

TARIFF TROUBLES

After surviving COVID, commercial property lenders face another threat

By Rick Haglund

After successfully navigating an economic meltdown caused by the COVID pandemic, commercial property lenders are facing a new financial threat: business uncertainty caused by the chaotic implementation of tariffs.

Bankers and credit union leaders say the Trump administration’s tariffs, which some economists say could lead to a recession later this year, have business owners skittish about taking on debt to expand operations.

“It definitely hasn’t stopped, but there’s a lot of tension,” Andy Kempf, president and CEO of 4Front Credit Union in Traverse City, said about commercial real estate activity.

His view is echoed by other lenders and real estate executives.

The former TCAPS administration building is being converted to 12 workforce housing apartments, four condominiums and one floor of office space.

Max Anderson Al Zelinski Cindy Ockert Troy Noble Cory VanBrocklin Doug Buck Steve Mitchell

“We are starting to see some cracks due to tariffs and economic uncertainty.”

– Andy Kempf, President and CEO, 4Front Credit Union

“Things have definitely slowed down,” said Dan Stiebel, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Commercial Schmidt in Traverse City.

Commercial real estate activity in Grand Traverse County is coming off a record revenue year in 2024, according to an annual report produced by Stiebel. Ninety-six commercial properties were sold in the county last year at an average price of $757,992 for a total of $72.8 million.

There still is healthy demand in several commercial real estate segments including industrial, warehousing and mixed-used projects.

That in part reflects the continued population growth of the Traverse City metro area, which resulted in a record total of 71,600 payroll jobs last year, according to state employment statistics.

“The demand for industrial spaces has increased, driven by the growth of e-commerce and logistics operations,” said Chris Milliron, chief lending officer at TBA Credit Union in Traverse City. “The new Amazon warehouse is a good example.”

One mixed-used project underway is the Boardman Building near downtown Traverse City. The former Traverse City Area Public Schools administration building is being converted to 12 workforce housing apartments, four condominiums and one floor of office space.

Ken Richmond, a local architect and one of two partners redeveloping the building, said one of the condos has been sold and a

local business had tentatively agreed to lease the entire office floor. Richmond says he can’t release the name of the business yet but said it’s one “we all know and love.”

Richmond and local builder Eric Gerstner purchased the building for $750,000 last year and expect to spend at least $6 million on the building conversion, which they hope to finish early next year. The project is receiving financing from Honor Bank in Traverse City.

“It’s a very good project,” said Norman Plumstead, president and CEO of Honor Bank.

Five years ago, banks nationally struggled with billions of dollars in troubled commercial real estate loans as the COVID pandemic forced office employees to work from home. As a result, building owners had trouble repaying loans.

As office-space loans fell into default, Honor Bank had the dubious distinction of being cited in a survey reported by Crain’s Detroit Business last year as having one of the highest exposures to commercial loans of any bank in the state.

Plumstead said at the time there was no cause for alarm because nearly all its loans were those for owner-occupied buildings that were not leasing out office space to others, a much less risky category.

Just 2% of Honor Bank’s commercial loans at the time were for office space, a statistic that is unchanged today, Plumstead says.

“We remain among the best per-

forming banks in Michigan in terms of commercial loan delinquencies, which are currently near record lows,” he said.

Scott Ashurst, senior vice president of commercial lending at Frankfort-based State Savings Bank, says it’s the same story at his bank.

“Even during COVID, I can’t say that we saw a lot of impact in our markets,” he said. “We didn’t experience any out-of-theordinary problems with collections, and still aren’t.”

The Grand Traverse region dodged a lot of the pain felt in larger metropolitan areas because there isn’t as much leased office space here as in bigger cities.

Stiebel says there are still some empty office buildings in the downtown Traverse City area because of continuing remote work. But it’s hard to market those offices because of a lack of available parking, he says.

And some of the properties are too far from the city’s parking structures.

“Nobody wants to walk three blocks to work in the winter,” Stiebel said.

The potential troubles in the current economy are broader than the commercial office sector that was decimated by COVID.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs, which seem to change almost daily, have many business owners reluctant to take out loans and invest in expansions until there is a greater level of certainty about the direction of the economy.

“We are starting to see some cracks

due to tariffs and economic uncertainty,” Kempf said.

Although they have fallen over the past two years, high interest rates are still an issue, lenders say. After trimming interest rates several times in 2024, the Federal Reserve has paused cuts this year. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has cited concern that the tariffs could reignite inflation.

Tariffs are paid on goods imported by businesses and often passed on to consumers, making goods more expensive.

Higher interest rates also have led to a decline in private equity investment in the area, Kempf says, although others say it has not been a major player in the local commercial real estate picture.

Typically, Kempf says private equity groups will acquire a commercial property and buy out the loan attached to it.

“But higher interest rates make it hard for private equity to get the return it requires,” he said.

Beyond commercial real estate, Kempf said he’s worried that tariffs hitting Detroit automakers will lead to fewer sales and layoffs that would harm the Grand Traverse area’s tourist economy.

General Motors Co. said it expects tariffs will raise its costs by as much as $5 billion this year. Ford Motor Co. estimated its profit will fall by $1.5 billion this year due to higher tariff-related costs.

“A lot of people from Detroit vacation here,” Kempf said.

Kempf

Plumstead

Stiebel

STATE OF THE (CREDIT) UNION

Why member-owned banking alternatives are hugely popular in Michigan

By Craig Manning

There’s no doubt about it: Credit unions are on the rise in the United States.

According to data from the National Credit Union Administration, federally insured credit unions added four million members to their ranks in 2023 alone. In 2024, another three million people made the switch. By the beginning of this year, approximately 142.3 million Americans were credit union members.

What’s driving all this interest in credit unions, and what does that growth look like in the Grand Traverse region, and in Michigan more generally? The TCBN took a closer look.

“Something that’s unique in Michigan is that about 60% of our population here in Michigan are credit union members,” said Patty Corkery, CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League. “So, that’s about 20% more than the national average. Around 37% percent of people belong to a credit union across the country.”

When asked why Michigan is outpacing the rest of the country in terms of credit union growth and market share, Corkery points specifically to rural parts of the state – including those surrounding the Traverse City area.

“I think our Michigan credit unions do a great job of living the credit union difference, which is getting out in their communities and continuing to open

branches by buying up deserted bank branches,” Corkery explained. “That’s especially true in northern Michigan, where there has been this upswing in bank branches closing, and then, at the same time, a continual uptick in credit unions opening branches. In places where banks are closing and creating these banking deserts, credit unions are coming in because, while of course they want their branch to be successful, they also have a notfor-profit model and are really there to serve their members and their communities.”

Reporting on a rise of digital-only banking businesses earlier this year, the TCBN noted that most nationwide indicators have showed a lagging demand for physical brickand-mortar bank branches. A recent survey by Capital One, for instance, shows that at least seven out of 10 American households are enrolled in some sort of digital banking, and 95% of those consumers bank online “often” or “occasionally.”

Another study, this one conducted by Self Financial, found that fewer than 40% of Americans still pay monthly visits to their banking branch, let alone weekly visits (11.3%) or daily visits (7.3%). The same study found that the number of bank branches in the U.S. had been in constant decline ever since peaking at 82,461 in 2012, dipping below 70,000 in 2022 for the first time since 2004. In fact, based on current trends, Self Financial predicts that physical banking branches

“Something that’s unique in Michigan is that about 60% of our population here in Michigan are credit union members.”

– Patty Corkery, CEO, Michigan Credit Union League

“could be extinct in the U.S. by 2041.”

But Corkery thinks credit unions are living proof that there is still a want and a need in the marketplace for physical branches. By focusing on serving that demand, Michigan’s credit union ecosystem has significantly outpaced other states.

“It’s interesting, because if you talk to any traditional financial institution, they’re probably telling you that it’s all about digital banking these days,” Corkery said. “The party line is that ‘People don’t need a branch. Everyone’s pushing to do things from home or on their phone.’ Which is true, but it’s also true that even if people don’t ever walk into a branch, they like to know that that’s an option for them.”

Whether it’s getting a mortgage pre-approval letter or seeking out help for financial fraud, there are still banking needs that most people would prefer to do in person rather than over the phone or through an app, Corkery says.

“I think that’s part of the reason membership continues to rise,” she said. Andy Kempf, CEO of 4Front Credit Union, is of a similar mind. Founded in Petoskey and headquartered in Traverse City, 4Front has 20 branch locations throughout Michigan. That branch lists includes small up north towns like Bellaire, Boyne City and Charlevoix, but 4Front has also been expanding its footprint in recent years. In 2023, the credit union opened a trio of new branches in

“We just worked with Greenlight Marketing on a big survey, which involved contacting a ton of our current members, but also a ton of people in the community to gauge their awareness of the credit union.”

– Karen Browne, President and CEO, TBA Credit Union

Holland, Muskegon and Zeeland, all in buildings vacated by TCF Bank as part of a 2021 merger with Huntington.

“Our members definitely want the branches; they want us in their communities,” Kempf said. “In northern Michigan, in our five-county region, we have 15 branches. We have most of the cities and communities covered that can sustain a branch. For instance, in Mancelona, where we have a branch, we are the only financial institution that’s out there, and that’s preventing that town from becoming a banking desert. And we’re proud of the fact that we’re there, and that we’re

providing the services that community needs. We understand the importance of being the community anchor.”

As more major banks consolidate their branch presence, Kempf pledges that 4Front will continue looking for opportunities to establish presences in new communities –even if that means reaching further beyond its own northern Michigan roots.

“It will be hard for us to find locations in northern Michigan where we can put more branches, that can have enough rooftops to make the branch at least break even,” Kempf admitted. “But we’re going to continue looking for those opportu-

nities. And on top of that, I think we are going to see a lot of the other credit unions in northern Michigan – credit unions that may be smaller than us, that don’t have the footprint we do right now, but are looking to grow – I think we’ll see some of those credit unions start filling in some areas that we’re in already.”

The increase of credit union branches in Michigan correlates positively with a uptick in public awareness about what credit unions are, how they operate, and what they offer that is different from the typical traditional bank.

So says Karen Browne, president and

CEO of TBA Credit Union. Based locally, that institution got its start as the Traverse City Board of Education Employees Credit Union all the way back in 1955. Back then, the credit union focused on serving the financial needs of local educators and school staff. TBA broadened its membership long ago, but Browne says it’s only been in the past decade or so that the average consumer really started developing an understanding of what a credit union actually is.

“We just worked with Greenlight Marketing on a big survey, which involved contacting a ton of our current members, but also a ton of people in the community to

gauge their awareness of the credit union,” Browne told the TCBN. “People that aren’t members of credit unions, we haven’t always had success in the past of them recognizing what a credit union is, or how to become a member. This survey showed that people have way more understanding about credit unions now than they did 10 years ago, or maybe even five years ago.”

In particular, the survey showed that the average consumer is becoming more cognizant of the typically cited benefits of banking with credit unions – things like nonprofit status, member ownership, and competitive savings and loan rates. Ironically, though, considering the effect that increased community presence has had for credit union awareness in Michigan, TBA’s recent survey indicated that members place less value on a credit union’s community involvement than they do on things like rates, fees, and technology.

“We basically asked, ‘Is it important to you that your financial institution is involved in your community?’ And that fared lower than we thought it would,” Browne said. “Our community involvement isn’t as important to people as it used to be.”

“There’s definitely truth to that,” Kempf concurred, citing similar feedback from within 4Front’s ranks. “I think our members definitely care that we give back to the community, that we’re involved in all our communities. We give dollars and we give volunteer hours, and people

appreciate that. However, what we’re seeing now is that the community piece only goes so far. What people are really looking for is better rates and lower fees. And that’s something credit unions can do, because we are not beholden to shareholders like traditional banks are. We’re not just cutting a dividend at the end of the year and giving it to investors. Instead, we can take those monies and put them back into technologies, or employees, or rates, or whatever can benefit the entire membership base. That’s what people really value.”

There is some threat to that value proposition, though. According to Corkery, credit unions nationwide are currently facing an attack on their tax-exempt status –something that could turn this side of the banking world completely upside down.

“One of the big things that we do as a trade association is advocate, in Lansing and in Washington, D.C., and with the Trump tax cuts coming up for renewal at the federal level this year, we’ve known for some time that government is going to be looking for alternative sources of revenue,” Corkery said. “And so credit unions have had concerns that our not-for-profit tax status is going to be threatened.”

The good news, Corkery says, is that the first draft of the tax bill does not include any change to the tax status of credit unions.

“But that doesn’t mean that we couldn’t be added later,” she added. “So, we’re continuing our battle. There’s

“Our members definitely want the branches; they want us in their communities.”

– Andy Kempf, CEO, 4Front Credit Union

a huge ‘Don’t Tax My Credit Union’ initiative happening right now, and that’s something we know we have to stay diligent on, because banks don’t like the fact that credit unions do not pay taxes on their income. Credit unions still pay a lot of taxes, for the record; we pay employment taxes, real estate taxes, etcetera. But we don’t pay taxes on our income because we reinvest that into their communities.”

When asked what a tax change would mean for 4Front, which has approximately 100,000 members across the state of Michigan, Kempf doesn’t mince words.

“If the taxes did come through, we’d be paying a corporate tax rate, which means 25% our money would be wiped off our

bottom line,” he said. “This year, we’re budgeted to make somewhere around $5 million in net income, and usually those dollars go into our capital to help us grow and allow us to put dollars back into technology, facilities, and everything else. A corporate tax rate would take 25% off of that, and that’s $1.2 million. So, our financials would be significantly affected. And what would happen from there is we would either have to raise fees, change rates, change our business model, or – and some credit unions are already exploring this as a possibility – we’d have to look at becoming a bank. It would change the landscape and, quite honestly, probably eliminate a lot of the credit unions in the area.”

Tomorrow is more memories in the making

Energy isn’t just power—it’s possibility. It transforms a house into a home, bringing warmth, comfort, and the promise of moments that matter.

From preparing nutritious meals to sharing the joy of cooking with loved ones, the energy we deliver fuels family memories and sparks the moments that light up our lives.

Because with energy, we don't just cook— we create memories.

By Art Bukowski

Billions and billions and billions of dollars.

That’s how much federal, state and local governments spend on private sector contractors each and every year.

And it’s not just products or materials. It’s services, too. Someone has to cut the lawn over at the courthouse or fix the water heater down at the state park campground.

So, how does a local business get in on this massive pot of gold? It’s not easy. There are a ton of rules, regulations and idiosyncrasies when it comes to government bidding. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you might end up spinning your wheels.

Fortunately, there’s a program right here in northern Michigan that exists specifically to help businesses navigate this system and secure government cheese. The best part? It’s offered at no cost to the businesses themselves.

The Northwest Michigan Apex Accelerator, housed at Networks Northwest, is one of nearly 100 Apex Accelerators in the country (and one of 10 in Michigan). These accelerators help local businesses learn about and secure government contracts of all sorts and the numbers are staggering.

In the last fiscal year alone, the local office helped 250 area businesses secure about $152 million in contracts. The 10 Michigan offices combined to help 3,420 businesses land $2.2 billion in contracts.

First off, the accelerators help local businesses find and match with various government contracts. Virtually any business can find something, program leaders say, but government contracting isn’t even on the radar for many decision-makers.

“We’d like to get the word out, because there’s a lot of companies out there that aren’t currently doing business with the government that could be,” said Marco Barberini, director of the local Apex Accelerator. “There’s very few times that businesses will come to us and we won’t find contracts.”

Then, they provide assistance in actually applying for/bidding on these contracts. This is where it really pays to have an expert in your corner.

“There’s an incredible amount of regulations in government contracting, and that’s really where we can help,” Barberini said. “Our team has decades of experience in this, so we can really break those down and help businesses understand and make that process of getting into the government marketplace easier.”

That’s not to pooh-pooh these regulations, program leaders say, because they exist for a reason.

“When we hear about the regulations and the red tape and so forth, it’s important to remember that these are the processes that government agencies have put in place to make sure they’re getting a good deal, to make sure that there’s not

POT OF GOLD

Apex Accelerator helps local businesses secure millions in government contracts

the $1,000 hammer like you heard about in the past,” said Networks Northwest CEO Janie McNabb. “Even if they’re a pain, they protect the integrity of [the system].”

The Apex Accelerator has repeat clients who are plugged into the system and there are many benefits of doing so.

“We have a bid match service that we offer for no cost to our clients that will set a profile up based on their business, and then every day [the system is] going out and looking at thousands of bid boards across the country,” Barberini said. “If something matches up, they’ll get an email.”

The program is offered at no cost to businesses because it’s funded by the government (primarily the U.S. Department of Defense), which wants to get as many bidders as possible.

“If we increase the number of businesses in the government marketplace, that increases competition, and that ultimately is going to lower the cost to the taxpayer because they’re going to be getting a better value,” Barberini said.

And while the DoD provides the bulk of funding, Apex leaders stress that they can help with far more than military contracts.

“We don’t just focus on defense. We actually probably do more with other agencies like the USDA, park service or forest service,” Barberini said. “It’s federal, state and local governments, but also public universities, public hospitals, public-owned utilities – basically any gov-

ernment contracting at any level.”

McNabb says many businesses use government contracting to expand or to replace other segments of business that have dried up. She’s happy to have the Apex Accelerator housed at Networks Northwest, which provides a variety of programs and services throughout the 10 counties in northwest lower Michigan as well as the Upper Peninsula.

“It’s really about making sure our companies are strong, providing good jobs, not facing downturns or finding their different markets when they may be facing downturns,” she said. “It’s an excellent fit for what we do.”

Plus, she says, it just makes sense. Government dollars are a huge resource that isn’t going away any time soon.

“The government is always going to need to buy things in order to operate,” she said. “It’s always going to be there.”

Bill Arnold is director of business development and planning at Great Lakes Environmental Center, a Traverse City-based, employee-owned company that provides a wide range of environmental testing and surveying services. About three quarters of GLEC’s business is now with the federal government, and they’ve been working with the local Apex Accelerator for more than 20 years.

Arnold says the accelerator has been “essential to our prospecting and business development” over the years. There are other

services that do what the Apex Accelerator does, Arnold says, but not for free.

“We have multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts with the feds, but we have to stay on top of what’s happening in the competitive landscape and be ready when they roll over for rebid,” Arnold said. “So it’s a real bonus for us to have these people available to help [at no cost to us].”

Diane Arnold is the new(ish) owner of Neuco Furniture and Upholstery, a Traverse City business that serves clients across the country. She’s a new client of the Apex Accelerator, having heard about them from another contact not long after buying Neuco.

Neuco ended up securing a contract with the U.S. Air Force to provide new office furniture for a base. It’s the first of what Arnold expects to be several government contracts for Neuco, and she’s very grateful for the accelerator.

“I couldn’t have done it without them, and I still continue to not be able to do it without them,” she said. “There are all kinds of issues when you’re doing these. Your password only lasts you so long. There’s multiple platforms. There’s different ways that you get paid. And none of it is easy … to have someone who is an expert in it is absolutely invaluable.”

Contact the Northwest Michigan Apex Accelerator at (231) 620-2211 or APEXaccelerator@networksnorthwest.org.

By Sara Hornick, columnist

Imagine you are a peasant in the 1500s, walking through the lane after a wicked late summer storm. On your stroll, you see a lot of debris blown down by the squall. Lucky you! All of the wood and even the apples are yours for the taking! Great stuff to come upon if you are a peasant in the 1500s. In other words, you’ve experienced a literal “windfall.”

In present day, a windfall has a more figurative definition, meaning an unexpected financial gain. So where am I going with this story? Believe it or not, the government, up until January of 2025, prevented many Americans from receiving a windfall. The provision even had a name: the “Windfall Elimination Provision.” I know, pretty creative.

The idea behind this arrangement was that an employee receiving both a government pension and Social Security would be “double-dipping” and thus receiving a windfall in his or her retirement. This style of retirement funding was not unusual. Across the United States, federal, state and local government employees, teachers, police officers and firefighters are just some of the folks who fell under the Windfall Elimination Provision where Social Security benefits were limited. However, the Windfall Elimination Provision was not the only government arrangement that affected retirement for government employees. The Government Pension Offset applied to Social Security spousal and survivor benefits. It reduced Social Security benefits by two-thirds of the amount of the retiree’s government pension. For example, If someone received $1,200 a month pension from his government job where he did not contribute to Social Security, his Social Security spousal or survivor benefit would be reduced by $800, or two-thirds. Both of these programs affected Republican and Democrat politicians alike. And even though partisan hostility today has reached a fever pitch, on January 5, the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law. This act did away with both the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. The bipartisan bill overwhelmingly passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Imagine that! The red and the blue coming together to increase their

‘OVERLY GENEROUS’?:

Insight into the Social Security Fairness Act for government employees

retirement income. Amazing.

Tongue and cheek aside, the act does mean a better financial safety net for people who gave their careers to public service. Folks would have more money in retirement. Fairness does sound good, right? I mean, my stepdad, who worked for the United States Postal Service for 40 years, would love to be picking up those figurative apples, considering his Social Security check barely covered his Part B premium for Medicare.

So what’s the problem? Repealing the WEP and GPO isn’t cheap. Critics argue that it could cost the Social Security system more than $180 billion over 10 years! That’s a lot of apples! The Social Security system already has solvency issues, and this drain will not help.

Another argument? The original idea behind WEP and GPO was to prevent double-dipping – getting full government pensions and full Social Security benefits when not everyone else can. Some see the Fairness Act as overly generous, especially since Social Security was designed to replace earnings from covered employment, not non-covered government jobs.

Are you someone who is now enjoying extra apples? You can do a lot with them.

My mom has a killer apple pie recipe, and my husband can’t live without his apple turnovers. In other words, extra Social Security money can allow for an easier retirement. However, apples can have a spot or two or the occasional worm.

An increase in Social Security may very well mean additional taxation. Yet, many folks don’t know that they can create their own windfall simply by taking wise distributions from their nest egg.

If you have questions about Social Security, including this change, minimizing Social Security taxes, or maximizing your lifetime benefits, check in with your financial advisor or visit RetirementClarified.com.

Sara Hornick is a financial advisor and cooking enthusiast with Hudson Wealth Management. Investment advisory services offered through CreativeOne Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. CreativeOne Wealth and Hudson Wealth Management are unaffiliated entities. Licensed insurance professional. We are not affiliated with any government agency, and do not provide tax or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including

of principal.

MEET OUR COMMERCIAL TEAM

At TBA Credit Union, we are dedicated to helping your business succeed. Our experienced team offers personalized solutions to meet your unique needs. Contact us today to learn how we can support your growth. tbacu.com | 231.946.7090

By Craig Manning

LOOSE CHANGE

A roundup of recent changes in Traverse City’s wealth management sector

The only constant in the financial world is change, and such has certainly been the case with Traverse City’s financial organizations as of late. From office relocations to personnel changes, the TCBN has put together a roundup of the biggest pivots and gearshifts to hit the local finance and wealth management sectors in the past year.

Black Walnut Wealth Management

In January, Black Walnut announced not one but two major pieces of news. First, on January 10, the financial advising firm shared on Facebook that it had relocated to a “new larger office suite” right across the hallway from its old space in the office complex at 13919 South West Bay Shore Dr. in Traverse City.

“Our firm is expanding to serve your needs better and accommodate our growing team,” Black Walnut shared, along with its new suite number: 104.

Just four days later, Black Walnut announced the first step in that expansion: the hiring of Hannah Near as its newest wealth management advisor. Near is both a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), with a master’s degree in accounting from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

According to Black Walnut Founder and CFO Eric Braund, those two milestones came hand-in-hand, in that it was

the “intentional growth” of bringing in Near that spurred the need for more space and the move across the hall. Near is the second financial advisor to join Black Walnut after Braund himself; the company’s other three employees serve administrative and client services roles.

“We’ve added a lot more services over the years, so that we’re a complete wealth management firm,” Braund explained.

“We now offer a coordinated approach to tax and estate planning, on top of the investment management piece. And the amount of tax planning and estate planning we’re doing – and the time involved with all that – requires more individuals to help. So, we’re growing on that front. And then, at the same time, we’ve been adding new clients that have wanted those services.”

Per Braund, Black Walnut’s new space is roughly three times the size of its previous office, with 3,200 square feet and 10 offices. It’s bigger than what the business needs right now, but Braund says it was a choice made “intentionally with future growth in mind.”

“We’re really looking at the next fiveplus years, not just the near-term,” Braund said, noting that, while Black Walnut isn’t in a rush to grow its team further, the new space will give it the freedom and flexibility to do so at its own pace.

Venture North

Venture North, a local Community Development Financial Institution

“We’re really looking at the next five-plus years, not just the near-term.”

Erickson Braund, founder, Black Walnut Wealth Management

(CDFI), has also moved offices. Venture North “provides low-cost loans and nocost consulting to NW Michigan small business owners who may not qualify for loans from traditional banks,” with local success stories ranging from ActionGlow, an aftermarket sports equipment brand based in Traverse City to Lakeview Hill Farm, an agricultural producer in Leelanau County.

The organization announced in January that it had joined the Grove Community Incubator at the Commongrounds Cooperative building in Traverse City’s NoBo neighborhood. Grove, formerly known as Commonplace, is a co-working space and entrepreneurial community that seeks to “nurture fertile ground where entrepreneurs, organizers, and artists connect and flourish.” Venture North previously oper-

ated out of the Traverse Connect building on Grandview Parkway.

“Our new space brings us closer to a vibrant group of nonprofits and organizations that share our mission of supporting small businesses in northwest Michigan,” Venture North shared in its announcement of the move. “We’re excited about the opportunities this move creates for collaboration, networking, and even greater impact in helping entrepreneurs thrive in our region.”

Perennial Wealth Management

Last fall, Traverse City firm Perennial Wealth Management announced that it was transitioning its practice to be a part of the Equitable Advisors network. Equitable, a financial services and insurance

company with a 166-year history, touts a “supported independence model” for financial firms. The network provides “support and opportunities to maximize both short- and long-term compensation and equity” but allows operators to “focus on your clients and your business the way you envision.”

Perennial, which includes father-son team Mark and Jeff Spencer, along with financial advisors Jerome Hartl and Kirt Kilbourne, moved their practices from Wedbush Securities, “where they managed more than $500 million in combined client assets,” according to a press release from Equitable.

“Jeff and I value the flexibility to run our own practice, while having the technology and support to ensure a smooth transition,” Mark Spencer said of the decision. “It was critical for us to partner with a firm like Equitable Advisors that has the resources and tools to help us continue meeting the financial planning needs of our clients for generations to come.”

As of last summer, Equitable had approximately $94 billion in assets under administration and a network of more than 4,300 financial professionals across the U.S.

Prout Financial Design

Also joining a new support network is Prout Financial Design, which linked up

with the Boston-based Integrated Partners in March of this year.

According to its website, Integrated Partners has been around since 1996 and currently has 141 advisors, 127 CPAs and 40 regional offices in its U.S. network, amounting to more than $21.3 billion in assets under advisement. The business purports to offer a “completely customizable open architecture business environment” for member businesses, including solutions for technology, investment management, advanced planning, mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, marketing and public relations.

Per a press release from Integrated, Prout Financial Design – which has more than $331 million in assets under advisement – “will leverage Integrated’s investment management platform and succession planning support to drive future growth and continuity.” Specific goals include “attracting higher-net-worth clients, expanding advisory capabilities, and launching new initiatives such as podcasting.” Notably, considering the podcasting angle, Prout Financial advisors Dennis Prout and Heidi Cartwright already host a radio show on WTCM.

“Our firm had reached a crucial inflection point where we needed a partner that not only shares our philosophy, but also offers the resources and support to elevate our practice,” Prout said of the deal. “Integrated Partners stood out as the ideal

“Our firm had reached a crucial inflection point where we needed a partner that not only shares our philosophy, but also offers the resources and support to elevate our practice.”

–

Dennis Prout, owner, Prout Financial Design

fit, especially given its focus on succession planning and commitment to helping firms scale with purpose. Just as we help our clients navigate their financial futures, we wanted a partner to coach us toward long-term success.”

InTrust CPA

InTrust CPA has announced several notable additions to its team over the past six months, including Gregg Diehl as staff accountant and internal estate attorney; Matthew Jacobs as staff accountant; Scott

Myers as the firm’s new tax and accounting manager; and Jeb Wiewrenga as operations coordinator.

Of those hires, Diehl’s career pivot is perhaps the most notable. He comes to InTrust from Diehl Professional Corporation, a law firm he started himself back in January 1993 with focus areas that included tax law, estate planning, nonprofit sector leadership, corporate formation and governance, and more. After nearly 31 years, Diehl wound down the firm at the end of last year and came aboard at InTrust in December.

By Rebecca Teahen, columnist

Do you ever look around at all you have to do, and all you are responsible for and feel overwhelmed? Or are you guilty of procrastinating on things you know you should get done, but perhaps aren’t as time-sensitive as the other 100 items on your to-do list?

We all struggle at times with prioritizing those lists, balancing priorities and getting it all done. And we all need to take time to simply enjoy life! Our family often heads out into nature to enjoy some calm in the midst of our busy lives. I am always refreshed by a hike through the woods, especially when we arrive at one of the many stunning views of the big lake in our area. Each of us has a different approach to managing our various responsibilities. We all have strengths and challenges, and our life’s journey is as unique as each of us.

To support our unique individual journeys, financial planning is an important foundation upon which we can build the path toward our individual goals, or life’s purpose.

When I envision this, I see the beautiful wooden plank pathway along North Bar Lake heading toward Lake Michigan. In my imagination, it is rolling out in front of me with each step I take.

The steps are sometimes unstable, and the sand is always shifting around them. But this pathway is flexible, adaptable and changing as the landscape changes.

Instead of worrying about the never-ending list of to-dos and the seemingly impossible balancing act between your needs today and your wants for tomorrow, let’s look to the power of the sand dunes for inspiration to create our financial landscape. Our individual pathways are built with the flexibility we create as our own life story unfolds, one step at a time. Instead of setting arbitrary financial goals, consider what is possible at every step along your pathway. You can adapt and change with each step.

While none of us were here before the sand dunes formed, I wonder if we had been, could we ever have imagined what could be created there?

Consider the same question in your own life. Have you taken time to imagine what is possible? Don’t worry now about an arbitrary number on a spreadsheet.

REACHING THE TOP OF THE SHIFTING SANDS

Financial planning and your life’s purpose

Instead, think about:

• Your passions. Maybe there’s an opportunity to use your skills in a new way or to serve a new market.

• Your values. Have you shared your values regarding money with your family?

• Imagine what you can create. If you build the structure now, could you create a new business or a family foundation so your passions and values are supported in the future?

This doesn’t happen overnight.

What is the first step on your boardwalk to unfold? This might be landing your first real job out of college. The next step might be opening your first retirement savings account.

As a young person:

• Open your first retirement savings account and set up automatic contributions.

• Seek out resources to educate yourself about personal finance.

• If you have student loans or other debt, build a sustainable repayment plan with the help of experts.

• If you can, start a brokerage account for extra savings.

A few more steps down the path might find you starting a family, building your savings and taking time to interview financial advisors/wealth management firms to begin working with a good team who can help you explore what is possible now.

In your middle age:

• Construct your team of trusted advisors: attorney, accountant, financial advisor, doctor, et.al.

• Make sure you have estate documents in place and financial accounts structured appropriately.

• Build out your design plans for your career, personal and financial pathway.

• Keep building your own savings accounts (retirement and general) and consider college savings accounts for your kids.

In your later years:

• Review your plans and revise as needed.

• Discuss what you’d like to accomplish at this stage with your advisors. Consider giving to your family, your favorite charities, etc.

• Celebrate your successes.

• Share your story with your family.

Just as we continuously work to steward the natural beauty of the sand dunes, it is up to each of us to steward our financial resources and preserve our family stories at each step along our journey.

Of course, this journey is not as easy as simply enjoying the natural beauty around you. These pathways are not easy to build. They never go in a straight line or along smooth, flat ground! Instead, they are crooked, lumpy and bumpy, uphill and downhill. Sometimes the sand blows over and completely obscures the steps.

The same will be true along the pathway of life. There will be setbacks. You might lose your way on occasion. It is in these moments that it’s important to pause and reflect again on your passions and purpose. It’s okay to take a break; to rest, recharge and reset. Here again, it will serve you well to check in with your team of advisors or trusted mentors in your life to get

re-oriented toward your future vision.

Just as there will be storms rolling in across the lake, we will all experience volatility in the stock market, setbacks in our careers and challenges in our personal lives. This is all part of the journey, unfortunately, no one is immune.

When setbacks happen:

• Review your plans again. Reset and re-start if needed.

• Face those challenges head-on. A few tips to keep in mind:

• If you have problematic debt, work with a credit counselor to make plans to pay it down while balancing your current cash needs.

• If you’ve had a career set back, talk to a mentor to reset and find new opportunities.

• If you’re considering an investment that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Get a second opinion before signing on the dotted line.

Eventually, your hard work will pay off … maybe a little bit like reaching the top of the dune climb!

Rebecca Teahen, CIMA® is a financial advisor with Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, located in Traverse City and serving clients across various states. Get in touch by emailing rteahen@ rwbaird.com or visiting rtwgroup.bairdwealth. com. The information offered is provided to you for informational purposes only. All investments carry some level of risk, including loss of principal. Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated is not a legal or tax services provider, and you are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of the appropriate professional advisors before taking any action.

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Cherry Capital Airport

By Holly Gallagher, columnist

As we continue to navigate through economic fluctuations and policy changes, a significant trend is emerging: A wave of business owners, particularly baby boomers, are approaching retirement, leading to an increase in business sales.

Let’s explore the factors driving this trend and the tax-saving strategies and tools business owners should be aware of if they are planning to sell.

Approximately 10,000 baby boomers reach retirement age every day. This generation has significantly shaped the business landscape over the past few decades and owns about 70% of all small businesses in the country. As they begin to retire, a substantial portion of these businesses are expected to change hands. The Small Business Administration estimates that around 12 million businesses will be sold in the next decade as owners look to transition into retirement.

Several factors are driving the trend of retiring business owners looking to sell:

• Aging population. The baby boomer generation is reaching retirement age. Many owners are looking to cash out after decades of hard work, seeking to enjoy their retirement years without the responsibilities of running a business.

• Market conditions. The current economic climate has seen an increase in business valuations, making it an opportune time for owners to consider selling.

• Succession challenges. Many business owners lack a clear succession plan. Without a family member or trusted employee to take over, selling the business becomes a more viable option. This is particularly true for those in industries where younger generations may not be interested in taking over traditional business models.

• Changing consumer behavior. COVID-19 accelerated shifts in consumer preferences, leading to changes in business operations. Some owners may feel overwhelmed by the need to adapt to new technologies and market demands, prompting them to consider selling rather than pivoting.

For business owners considering selling, preparation is paramount. Here are some steps they can take:

BABY BOOMERS TRANSITION INTO RETIREMENT

Tax-savings strategies and tools business owners should know before selling

• Engage professional advisors. Selling a business is a complex process that often requires the expertise of attorneys, accountants, financial advisors and business brokers. These professionals can provide valuable guidance and ensure that the sale goes smoothly. This is no time to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

• Tighten up business operations. Is your business plan and organizational chart up to date? Streamlining operations and workflows can make a business more attractive to potential buyers. Consider utilizing an EOS Implementor.

• Get a business valuation. Understanding the actual value of the business is critical for an owner looking to sell. A professional valuation can help owners set a realistic price and attract serious buyers.

• Communicate with employees. Transparency is essential when it comes to employees. Once the owner has made their decision, they should communicate their plans and reassure staff about their future roles, as uncertainty can lead to decreased morale and productivity.

Now what? Once a business owner is ready to sell their business, various tax-advantaged investment strategies can help minimize tax liability in the year of sale.

• Direct indexing. This investment strategy is used primarily for greater control over when you pay taxes and what type of taxes you incur. This strategy utilizes tax-loss harvesting in your portfolio, which may provide potential tax benefits, potentially improving overall after-tax returns.

• Roth Conversions. While the conversion itself may lead to a tax liability, it can result in several thousand dollars in tax savings over one’s lifetime and reduce the Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) you’ll need to take in the future. It is beneficial to have your CPA or CFP® run a report so you can make an informed decision annually.

• Donor-Advised Funds. Business owners can contribute to a donor-advised fund before the sale, which allows them to deduct the contribution from their taxable income. This reduces the overall tax burden in the year of purchase.

• Fully utilize profit-sharing plans. Cross-testing allows a business to design a retirement plan that is more favorable to specific groups of employees, such as owners and highly compensated employees. This can lead to higher contributions for key individuals, thus reducing taxable income. Implementing a profit-sharing plan enables the business to make tax-de-

ductible contributions to employees’ retirement accounts, providing another tax deduction for the business. These plans can also help retain key employees during the transition period, ensuring business continuity and stability, which can be attractive to potential buyers. By strategically using these tools, small business owners can effectively lower their tax liabilities in the year of sale, potentially resulting in significant savings. Consulting with a tax advisor who specializes in working with small businesses and a Certified Financial Planner® is advisable to tailor these strategies to the specific circumstances of the business and the owner’s financial situation.

Holly Gallagher, CFP®, is the founder and president of Horizon Financial. She has been in the industry for 33 years. She can be reached at (231) 941-6669 or at hollyg@cfnmail.com. Advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser. Horizon Financial does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult with a legal or tax professional regarding your individual situation. Direct indexing may adversely impact account performance. There is no guarantee that direct indexing will produce the desired tax results.

Northern Michigan’s construction industry is experiencing a significant transformation in

Northwest Michigan Skilled Trades Foundation (NMSTF) are at the forefront, working to bridge the gap between industry needs and workforce

Michigan anticipates nearly 518,300 jobs in professional trades by 2032, with approximately 40,600 job openings annually. These positions span various sectors, including construction, manufacturing and information technology. In northern Michigan, the construction sector is particularly impacted, with a pressing need for electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers and carpenters.

The state’s aging infrastructure and the push for modernization have intensified the demand for skilled labor. However, a significant portion of the current workforce is nearing retirement, creating a potential skills gap. Addressing this challenge requires proactive strategies to attract and train new professionals in the trades.

Northwest Michigan Skilled Trades Foundation: Leading the Charge Established by the Home Builders Association of Northwest Michigan, the NMSTF is dedicated to promoting sustainable careers in the skilled trades through fundraising, charitable contributions and workforce development. Their mission is to ensure that the region has a robust pipeline of skilled workers to meet current and future industry demands.

Key Initiatives:

• Scholarship Programs: Since 1984, the foundation has awarded more than $107,000 in scholarships to students pursuing careers in the home-building industry. These scholarships support education in fields such as construction technology, carpentry and electrical work.

• Workforce Development: The NMSTF collaborates with local educators, policymakers and industry leaders to develop programs that introduce students to the trades. This includes classroom presentations, hands-on workshops and mentorship opportunities.

• Apprenticeship Programs: In partnership with Northwestern Michigan College and other state agencies, the foundation is developing

formal apprenticeship programs that combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training.

• Community Engagement: Events like the annual Scholarship Awards Dinner and the Foundation Golf Challenge not only raise funds but also increase awareness about the importance of skilled trades in the community.

Statewide Efforts to Bolster the Trades

Recognizing the critical role of skilled trades in Michigan’s economy, state officials have launched initiatives to expand the workforce. The Michigan Statewide Infrastructure Workforce Plan aims to train up to 5,000 new infrastructure workers by 2030. This plan focuses on expanding apprenticeship programs, removing barriers to entry, and building career pathways from K-12 education and beyond.

Additionally, May 2025 has been proclaimed as Professional Trades Month in Michigan, highlighting the value of skilled trades and promoting educational opportunities in these fields.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

While progress is evident, challenges remain. The decline of vocational programs in schools has limited students’ exposure to trade careers. Moreover, misconceptions about the trades persist, often overshadowing the lucrative and fulfilling opportunities they offer.

However, with concerted efforts from organizations like the NMSTF, educational institutions and state agencies, there’s a renewed focus on reshaping perceptions and providing clear pathways into the trades. By investing in education, outreach and community engagement, northern Michigan is poised to cultivate a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the future.

The construction skilled trades industry in northern Michigan is at a pivotal juncture. With growing demand and proactive initiatives in place, the region has the opportunity to build a resilient and skilled workforce. Through collaboration, education and community support, organizations like the Northwest Michigan Skilled Trades Foundation are laying the foundation for a prosperous future in the trades.

The Home Builders Association of Northwest Michigan is here to help you navigate the process of building your dream home. Our members possess the local expertise and experience to guide you through every step, from initial planning to final construction. Learn more at hbagta.com.

BOOK REVIEW

By Chris Wendel

When American runner Frank Shorter captured the gold medal at the 1972 Olympic M arathon in Munich, running’s popularity grew from a fringe schoolboy sport into something many Americans wanted to do to be fit. In 2024, over 51 million people in the United States participated in running. The Grand Traverse region is a bellwether for this phenomenon, with a robust running community, high schools that produce nationally accomplished runners, and the annual Bayshore Marathon race that attracts thousands of runners to our area.

This growth of running mirrors the recent ascendance of the 111-year-old Brooks shoe company. “Running with a Purpose” picks up with the running movement in the 1990s. Written by Brooks CEO Jim Weber, the book is part Weber biography and part following Brooks’ transformation from a fledgling shoe company to a force in the athletic shoe industry. Weber sets the stage by detailing Weber’s personal background to explain the strategic effort needed to compete in a space dominated by the Nike and Adidas companies.

Growing up, Weber aspired to someday run a major corporation. A competitive athlete who played college hockey, his limited size and talent took him only so far before he discovered running as an outlet. Charting a path to follow his childhood dream, he worked in banking before making his way into a competitive MBA program at Dartmouth University. Dartmouth’s professors and rigorous curriculum prepared him for his work afterward at the Pillsbury Company, serving as CEO at its subsidiaries, Coleman Camping and O’Brien Sports.

Having gained valuable insight along the way, he joined the Brooks’ board of directors when it was still a fledgling company. His keen interest in running and Brooks made him the obvious ch oice to turn the company around as its CEO in 2001. A key insight from “Running with a Purpose” comes from Weber’s analysis of his role when he became CEO: “I came into Brooks with the conviction that to build something you have to look beyond the investor cycle.”

Following an era that started the early 1980s where stockholder returns were a main priority, keenly addressing customer needs was an exception. Weber led the charge for Brooks to zone in on specifically marketing quality running shoes to the running community. This eliminated lower-priced, lower-quality shoes sold in larger national sporting goods stores or what Weber termed “barbecue shoes.”

Brooks’ plan relied on a network of established retail running stores located across the United States. The risk paid off by developing an uber-dedicated (and growing) following of like-minded customers. Today, one in five pairs of

RUNNING WITH A PURPOSE: How Brooks Outpaced Goliath

to Lead the Pack

By Jim Weber

athletic performance shoes sold is produced by Brooks. The telling of Brooks’ and Weber’s stories in parallel works well and demonstrates how a company can be guided by its customers-driven aspirations, while also being financially successful for its stockholders.

Speaking of stockholders, an intriguing section of “Running with a Purpose” revolves around Brooks’ relationship with Warren Buffet’s company, Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. which purchased Brooks in 2006, offering it financial stability as an independent subsidiary. Buffet is supportive but never controlling of Weber or the Brooks company. Weber’s interactions with Buffet reveal Buffet’s thoughtful and kind management style. Weber’s tenure as CEO was tested in a later chapter when he survived a fight with esophageal cancer. His account of being upfront communicating his situation with his team and their strength in moving the company forward in his absence is inspiring.

If you are a devoted runner or a non-ru nner who wonders how runners could ever be happy if they are constantly grimacing while they run, “Running with a Purpose” is a valuable book that serves as a solid profile of an innovative company mirrored by the consistency of its CEO that has guided it to long-term success.

Chris Wendel is an avid runner and works for Northern Initiatives, a mission-based lending organization based in Marquette, Michigan. Northern Initiatives provides funding to businesses throughout Michigan and online business resources through its “Initiate” program to organizations and small business owners throughout the United States. Wendel lives and works in Traverse City.

Financial tips for the sandwich generation

More and more adults are feeling the financial squeeze of not only raising a family and setting their own budgets and retirement goals but also helping their parents. Those adults are a part of the sandwich generation. According to data from SIPP¹, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation, in 2020 more than 4.3 million U.S. adults were providing more than $17.5 billion in voluntary financial assistance to their parents. That’s nearly the same number as the 4.4 million people who made mandatory child support payments.

The more you know …

Family and money can be very challenging. Many adults don’t talk about money with their parents until there is a problem like too much debt, overspending, or a healthcare crisis. However, it can be easier to address an issue before it spirals and takes on a life of its own. Reversing roles by talking money with your parents may be awkward, but looking at how much money is coming in and how much is going out can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Budgets can be key

Budgeting for both your household and your parents can help mitigate risk and financial challenges. Be sure to address their current investments, pensions, mortgages and other debt, and even health care and Social Security. It’s important to look not just at what parents currently need but what could be on the horizon, like hospital bills, independent or assisted living, or even memory care or nursing homes. Those are financial challenges that could be looming, and making them a line item as you plan can prove helpful.

Parents often want to maintain their independence, but you may find common ground that makes sense for everyone. Is their house too big for them? Does it cost too much to maintain? Could they save money by downsizing? Where else could you help them save money? Reducing from two cars to one? Helping them shop for things like groceries or perhaps even bringing them some meals to control costs and waste? Saving them money now could save you money down the road.

Take care when giving money

When it comes to providing financial support to your parents, be sure you set limits and goals. What do they actually need and what can you and your siblings afford? It may make sense for you to take over paying their bills as some older parents may have trouble overpaying or simply not paying their bills. You may want to address their online spending as well; that can be a way to lower budgets for things that may not be needed. Yes, it will mean some extra time for you and an adjustment for everyone, but it can streamline bills and help everyone stick to a budget they can live with.

Whatever you decide, make sure you develop a plan well in advance, which a financial advisor may be able to help with. It can be easy for emotion to take over when dealing with finances and family, but you and your parents will likely both be better off when you take the time to ask questions and plan.

¹ census.gov/library/stories/2023/06/adults-provided-support-to-parents.html

CARVING OUT A LEGACY

Benzie artisans ship decoys around the world

By Art Bukowski

On mantles and shelves across the country (and indeed around the world) sit intricate and beautiful wooden fish decoys that began as blocks of wood in the cozy workshops of three northern Michigan artisans.

In a practice that was far more prevalent in years past, ice fishermen use these decoys to lure pike close enough to be speared through a large hole in the ice. These carvings have become collectible over time, with examples from noteworthy early carvers fetching thousands of dollars at auction.

Most carvings made by Dave Kober and the married team of Fred and Jo Anne Campbell of BenzieJo Decoys never see the water. They’re made for people who want to buy them as folk art, and those people are numerous. Kober and the Campbells have sold well over 13,000 pieces combined over the years, and they don’t show any signs of slowing down.

The TCBN sat down with these artists in their Benzie County shops to discuss their craft.

Kober’s shop was on M-115 near Cadillac for many years, but he now lives and works near Thompsonville. He’s very well known in the decoy world, having earned state and national recognition for his work.

Now 86, Kober is a Grand Rapids-area native who grew up on a fruit and dairy farm before a career in environmental remediation. His “fishaholic” grandfather

carved decoys many moons ago, giving a very young Kober a first taste of what would become a lifelong hobby.

“I’ve still got some he carved before the turn of the century,” Kober said. “Those were decoys he used to feed his family.”

Kober was well into adulthood before he really leaned into decoy carving, first for friends and family by request and then for the general public. Word began to spread about his work, which is easily recognizable for its distinctive style and dynamic poses.

“I’ve always tried to animate my stuff and give it a little character,” he said. “I had an outdoor writer one time that said it’s like I step on their tails to wake them up.”

He roughs out each piece with a saw, but then finishes the carvings completely by hand. Some wood (mostly cedar) he sources from suppliers, other pieces end up in his possession from people who are aware of his craft.

“There’s all kinds of cedar in this area and people know that I use it, so when they’re cutting stuff down, they’ll call me and tell me I better come over,” he said. “Sometimes I come home from coffee and there’ll be a nice log leaning against the front door of my shop, and I’ll never even find out where it came from.”

Regardless of where it came from, Kober lets the wood do the talking when he sits down to work on a decoy.

“Each piece has got a distinctive characteristic to it, and it’s the grain of the

wood that tells the whole story,” he said. “I follow the grain, and that dictates what the end product is going to be.”

After the carving comes painting. Many people are surprised to hear that Kober is blue-green colorblind, especially because you’d never tell by looking at his hand-painted fish.

“Some of the guys that use airbrush end up with pieces that look like they’re made out of plastic, not wood,” he said. “The grain of the wood shows through my paints, and that’s kind of my signature.”

All told, he puts in 30-40 hours for each piece, which mostly sell for $200$300 depending on size or other factors. He carves a core set of 40 freshwater species, and several dozen collectors have completed the full set. But most are oneoffs, and he’s sold a lot over the years.

“Every piece has a control number and it’s in my log book,” he said. “I’m well over 8,000 the last time I checked, and I haven’t checked in a year or so.”

Most people these days call or email him to order directly. His current home and shop is off the beaten path, and that’s a good thing. His old highway location started bringing in too much business.

“I had my shop on M-115 there south of Cadillac and it was just too busy. It got to the point where I couldn’t work,” he said. “There were just too many people coming in.”

He also used to supply pieces to dealers and shops across the country, but

dropped that line of business as well.

“It got to the point where it went from a hobby to job, having to meet deadlines and stuff,” he said. “So now it’s all just word of mouth.”

These days he’s selective about the orders he accepts. Most current work is standard decoy size, as he’s entirely quit his practice of making super-sized carvings (he has a 10-foot muskie hanging in Boone’s Long Lake Inn and another in the Mall of America, just a few of several giant pieces across the country).

“I never do get quite caught up entirely where I don’t have outstanding orders,” he said. “But I pick the ones that I want to do because I know I can do a nice job on them, and that I don’t have to kill myself physically to complete.”

The “nice job” part is important to Kober, who like many top artisans is his own biggest critic.

“Every now and then I have a piece where I’m half done with it, but I throw it in the wood stove,” he said. “If it doesn’t satisfy me, I don’t even want anyone else to see it.”

Even after all these years, he still derives great joy from happy customers.

“What’s better than getting an attaboy when people stand there with something you made by hand with a big smile on their face?” he said. “There’s nothing better than that. That’s what you’re after.”

Kober has sent fish all across the country and to several locations overseas.

Dave Kober

He’s honored to know that his pieces are sought after and hold a special place on display in thousands of homes.

“People are going to remember me when I’m gone, that’s for sure,” he said.

The Campbells, married for almost 40 years, work out of their home south of Benzonia, just a stone’s throw from the Manistee County line. All of their vivid decoys are a team effort – Fred carves and Jo Anne paints.

In their working lives, Jo Anne was an insurance agent and Fred was a plant manager. They also owned and operated motels and a gift shop in Wellston, where they lived for many years before moving to Benzonia.

Fred had already gotten into chainsaw carving when he happened to stop by a flea market where a man was selling fish decoys. He thought it looked interesting and gave it a try, launching a nearly 30year run of decoy production.

He connected with other carvers to learn the tricks of the trade, and eventually roped Jo Anne into the hobby.

“I told her, ‘You know, I’m really tired of painting,’” Fred recalls. “And she says, ‘Well, if you carve them, I’ll paint them.’”

The two have become a well-oiled machine, having produced somewhere around 4,000 decoys over the last three decades.

“Let me put it this way – we’re each other’s biggest fans, but we’re also each other’s biggest critics,” Jo Anne said. “So if he gives me a decoy that I think needs more work, he knows it. But I’m probably a bit more outspoken than him because he always compliments me and tells me

what a good job I did, even if I’m disgusted with it.”

They work at different speeds, however, and that sometimes creates a bottleneck.

“I have probably 40 fish in there lined up for Jo Anne to paint right now,” Fred said. “I can carve them and test them a lot quicker than she can paint them.”

That’s at least in part because Jo Anne is meticulous about researching what these fish look like in real life and then carefully recreating their patterns. Their trout in particular have won several awards for their artistry largely because of this attention to detail.

“I do a lot of research on the internet, but I also get a lot of pictures sent to me by fishermen. You get the best picture, when it’s fresh out of the water,” Jo Anne said.

“I think sometimes I maybe exaggerate the colors a little bit, but if you were to see them underwater, they are very bright.”

Fred and Jo Anne are also inspired by the fish themselves, especially the trout. Their Facebook page serves to educate readers about the natural histories of these fish just as much as it serves to sell decoys.

“I get quite attached to their stories. Where are they native? How were they named?” Jo Anne said. “It gives them all a bit of personality. And they’re like people. They’re all different.”

Like Kober, the Campbells are tickled to know their pieces are in collections all over the globe. They sell on eBay, Etsy and through direct order. Pieces start at $90, with price depending on size and other factors.

“We’re really proud of that,” Jo Anne

said. “We’ve got them over in Finland, in Germany, in the UK, in Singapore… and I think we’ve probably got one in every state.”

They also do very good business at the weekly Frankfort farmer’s market.

“We get a lot of repeat business at that market,” Fred said. “People coming back year after year, and they pick up another one for their collection.”

They have a full set of 67 species (mostly trout and salmon), and as with Kober’s customers, several people have completed the whole collection.

“There was one gentleman who bought three and a half sets,” Jo Anne said. “It took us three years.”

Fred and Jo Anne also make and sell

so-called “working” decoys, which are used by ice fisherman for their originally intended purpose. This requires extra work, as these working decoys need to be carefully balanced with lead weights to ensure they swim properly. Their shop has photos from fishermen of several massive pike lured to the spear by these dekes.

“We take a lot of pride in that,” Jo Anne said.

The income from these decoys is a nice boost for the Campbells, but it also provides something perhaps a bit more valuable.

“You don’t just get up in the morning and think, ‘Oh, what am I going to do today?’” Jo Anne said. “You have a purpose. And that’s what keeps you motivated and moving.”

WEDNESDAY • JUNE 4 - 5-7PM

Test your short and long game, or try your luck on the putting green with a game of “hit it to win it.”

Jo Anne and Fred Campbell

>> FINANCIAL SERVICES

1 - Mike Kebler, a financial advisor with the 45th Parallel Group in the Morgan Stanley Wealth Management office in Traverse City, has been named to the firm’s Pacesetter’s Club, a global recognition program for financial advisors early in their career. Kebler has been with the office since 2020.

2 - Jackie Palfey has joined Advantage Benefits Group in Traverse City as a medical account manager. Palfey brings a background in human resources, and in her new role helps clients navigate their benefit needs.

3 - Jason Piedmonte, a private client advisor with J.P. Morgan Wealth Management in Traverse City, has been promoted to managing director. Piedmonte has been advising clients with J.P. Morgan since 2008.

4 - Stephen Tibor has joined Advantage Benefits Group in Traverse City as an employee benefits specialist. With a background in group benefits sales, Tibor provides solutions that support both employers and their teams.

>> HEALTHCARE

5 - Jessica Rickert, DDS, was recently recognized with the Public Relations Award from the Michigan Dental Association. Dr. Rickert, the first female American Indian dentist in the United States, was a long-time practitioner in northern Michigan and now serves in a variety of roles promoting the need for more American Indian dentists and improved dental care.

Munson Healthcare in Traverse City announces the following:

6 - Paul Bock, a peer recovery coach, is one of six recipients of the 2025 Michigan Hometown Health Hero Award. Recipients are recognized for going above and beyond to improve the health and well-being of their communities. Bock, who was hired as Munson Healthcare’s first peer recovery coach in 2019, is also the first peer recovery coach to receive the award.

7 - Emily Griffith, nurse practitioner, has joined the general surgery and trauma care team at Mun -

son Medical Center. Griffith’s previous experience includes working in the surgical ICU and orthopedic spine surgery settings.

8 - Laryn Kenwabikise, certified physician assistant, has joined the clinical team at Munson Healthcare Neurosurgery. Kenwabikise chose neurosurgery because it allows her to be at the forefront of life-saving interventions, while supporting patients and families through recovery.

9 - Daniel F. Ladd, certified physician assistant, has joined the clinical team at Munson Healthcare Rheumatology. Ladd chose to pursue rheumatology because of the need for specialized care in the community.

10 - Nicholas Zender, D.O., has joined the Munson Healthcare neurology team. Dr. Zendler chose to specialize in neurology because of his interest in neurosciences – particularly epilepsy – and the challenges it provides.

1 // MIKE KEBLER

6 // PAUL BOCK

2 // JACKIE PALFEY

7 // EMILY GRIFFITH

3 // JASON PIEDMONTE

8 // LARYN KENWABIKISE

4 // STEPHEN TIBOR

9 // DANIEL F. LADD

5 // JESSICA RICKERT

10 // NICHOLAS ZENDER

11 - Ashley Wahl has been promoted to partner at Dinge man & Dancer in Traverse City. Wahl joined Dingeman & Dancer in 2015 and has since built a practice focused on personal injury law and wrongful death cases. >> OTHER

12 - Kayla Boyle has joined CENTURY 21 Northland’s Frankfort office. Boyle specializes in residential sales.

13 - Remy Carlson has joined Sonny’s Body Shop in Traverse City as a detailer, bringing a strong work ethic and a passion for precision to the role.

14 - Chad Pacilli has been named chief technology officer of Promethient in Traverse City. Promethient is the developer of Thermavance technology for human-scaled climate control. Most recently, Pacilli served as the director engineering for advanced development at Gentherm, an automotive supplier of thermal comfort technology.

Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville announces the following:

15 - Ashley Curd is a new group sales manager. Curd brings a background in client management and engagement. Most recently, she served as senior account executive at marketing agency MRM, where she managed experiential event project communications for the My GM Rewards loyalty program.

16 - Mark Fenech has been named director of golf. Fenech brings more than 20 years of golf experience

to Crystal. Most recently, he was the director of instruction at Elephant Rocks Golf Course in Arizona. Fenech is recognized among the nation’s top teaching professionals.

17 - Doug Hand is the new golf operations manager. Hand was the facilities manager at Crystal Mountain for six years, and prior to that a director of golf at other resorts. His expertise encompasses operations oversight, budget management and guest relations.

18 - Skye Lemmen is a new group sales manager. Lemmen brings a background in event planning, client relations and operational coordination to her new role. Most recently, she was client services coordinator at Grand Valley State University where she managed a diverse portfolio of events.

Please send Newsmakers by the 10th of the month to news@tcbusinessnews.com

16 // MARK FENECH 17 // DOUG HAND

// SKYE LEMMEN

11 // ASHLEY WAHL 12 // KAYLA BOYLE 13 // REMY CARLSON 14 // CHAD PACILLI

15 // ASHLEY CURD

Isaiah Wunsch, CEO of Wunsch Farms, spoke at the sold-out 55th Annual Kalkaska Luncheon at the Railroad Square Pavilion in downtown Kalkaska. The event was hosted by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. The full cost of event registrations will support the GTRCF’s Endowment for Kalkaska Area, a permanent fund dedicated to supporting the Kalkaska community.

Attendees of the Northwest Michigan Community Development Coalition’s Annual Advocacy Day in Lansing on April 24 paused for a photo with Dr. Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and his Chief of Staff Kathy Angerer. The coalition – convened by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation – includes more than 40 business, governmental and nonprofit partners who advocate for policies aimed at benefiting the region as part of the group’s annual Advocacy Day.

The winners from the April 15 TCNewTech pitch competition, hosted by 20Fathoms during Northern Michigan Startup Week, included (l-r): Terra Osman, Farmish (second place); Gary Lemanski, FenX Custom (first place); and Kirin Olsen and Sam Henley, Nic-Nix (audience choice). Nearly 200 people attended the pitch competition. It was moderated by Madison Meter of Full Tilt Improv. Credit: Sarahbeth Ramsey, Trail Navigator Media

Please send Exposures by the 10th of the month to news@tcbusinessnews.com (labeled Exposures).

Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect; Kevin Courtois, vice president, Government Affairs, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and Dodd Russell, president, Skilled Manufacturing, Inc. at the annual Northern Michigan Manufacturing Summit at the Hagerty Center at NMC. The summit brings together industry leaders, innovators and professionals to explore the latest advancements, challenges and opportunities in manufacturing.

Top professionals in the region’s hospitality industry were recently honored at the Traverse City Tourism High Five Hospitality Awards. The River Club in Glen Arbor received two prestigious awards: GM Stephen Brotschul, Front of the House Award, and owners Gina and Mike Sheldon, Cheer & Leadership Award.

Support staff in these fields directly employed by qualifying employer (such as Central Dispatch Operator, Custodial Staff, etc.), retirees that retired from an eligible employer, full or part time employees. If you have questions about qualification, contact the Mortgage Department directly at 800-678-4968, ext. 2105 or visit msufcu.org/heroesloan.2The $500 off closing costs offer is valid for new mortgages of $150,000 or more. Closing cost discount will be provided as lender credit. Offer cannot be used toward down payment or with any other discounts and is not available on home equity loans or lines of credit. All usual and customary fees will be charged to the buyer. Loans are subject to credit approval. Eligible properties include primary and secondary residences, single-family homes, condominiums, and modular homes. Home loans available for homes in the following states: MI, AL, AZ, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MN, MO, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, VA, WA, and WI. Currently, construction home loans are available in Michigan and Illinois. Rates are based on creditworthiness, loan-to-value (LTV), property type, and other factors associated with your loan application. Your rate may be higher. This offer may not be transferred, sold, or replicated in any way, and it may not be combined with any other mortgage offers. Not an MSUFCU member? Joining is quick and easy! If you live, work, go to school, or own a business in the state of Michigan, you’re eligible to join.