Page 4 - LRCC FOCUS October 2021

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAMBER FOCUS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

Finishing the Year with a Flourish

While the ever-changing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact our
daily lives, it is equally clear that most people are determined to resume business
and personal activities in as close to normal manner as safely possible. People are
returning to offices, and students, teachers, and staff are back in school. Downtown
business districts are seeing increased activity. Football stadiums, entertainment
venues, restaurants, and recreational facilities are near capacity.

As we look ahead to the remainder of 2021, the Lansing Regional Chamber of
Commerce (LRCC)’s calendar of events reflects the desire to resume in person
connections and a renewed energy to advance issues important to the Greater
Lansing region.
It would be an understatement to say that we are excited to mark the return of the TIM DAMAN
Lansing Economic Club as an in-person event. We learned during the annual dinner PRESIDENT AND CEO
LANSING REGIONAL
event in June that our members are anxious to be together again. The Lansing CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Economic Club has become the premier monthly networking event in the region, and
we were thrilled to relaunch our first in-person Lansing Economic Club with a panel
discussion focused on Michigan’s agriculture economy on Sept. 14. The feedback we
have received has been overwhelmingly positive. We look forward to our programs
for the balance of the year, starting with Neogen CEO John Adent on Oct. 18, the
Celebration of Regional Growth Awards on Nov. 9 and the annual economic forecast
program on Dec. 7.

Fall is also election season, and this year, our region features critical local elections
in the cities of Lansing and East Lansing. Last month’s FOCUS Magazine highlighted
information from a poll the LRCC commissioned to identify the top issues on Covid-19
voters’ minds. I would also direct your attention to this month’s magazine in which remains a part
we identify the candidates the LRCC has endorsed for the Mayor of Lansing and
city council races in Lansing and East Lansing. It is imperative that we elect public of our world,
officials who align with the issues that matter to voters and who embrace solutions but so does the
that will encourage job growth and investment in our region.
entrepreneurial
A top issue on the minds of our LRCC members for the past few years have been drive that makes
attracting and retaining talent. This fall, the LRCC maintains its emphasis on key
talent initiatives in the region. In September, we were pleased to again recognize this region
the top young professionals in the region at the 10 Over the Next Ten Awards. great. That spirit
In October, Leadership Lansing begins its seventh year with another cohort of will prevail as
outstanding business leaders. Also, this month’s FOCUS Magazine cover story shines
the spotlight on another important piece of the talent puzzle – the value that people we relaunch,
with disabilities bring to our regional workforce. I strongly encourage all employers, reconnect, and
large and small, to review the cover story, which identifies valuable resources to
help connect your business to some amazing talent that can add rich value to your move forward
organization. together.
Covid-19 remains a part of our world, but so does the entrepreneurial drive that
makes this region great. That spirit will prevail as we relaunch, reconnect, and move
forward together. l

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