Orion Area Chamber Celebrates Successes at Annual Breakfast

Orion Area Chamber Celebrates Successes at Annual Breakfast

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 8, 2024)

Lake Orion, MI – Orion Township is a place where businesses large and small can thrive, and the Jan. 31 Orion Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting and appreciation breakfast gave an inside look at how that can happen.

Of course there were speeches and slides listing accomplishments of the 311-member organization, including 18 ribbon cuttings in the last year, scores of meetings and events, and a website with increasing engagement.

But what what really drives home the power of community – what electrifies the passion of entrepreneurs and executives so to speak – is hearing the stories of successes and connecting to learn, grow, and give back together.

Jeff Roeschke is the Director of the Orion Assembly Plant, which is in the midst of doubling in size and transitioning to production of electric vehicles. When finished it will be the largest GM facility in North America.

Roeschke shared that GM’s success helps uplift the whole community, with each new job at the plant creating an average of 4.8 more in the surrounding community.  This includes the local supplies they work with – over 20 in Oakland County – and the restaurants, stores, hotels, and other businesses that serve the workers.

As opportunities for businesses grow in the area, so does the flow of community giving.  Roeschke is proud of the volunteer hours that GM employees give, as well as the $460,000 in grants to Orion and Pontiac charities since 2019.  While it is easy to see GM as a corporate giant, there are over 600 employees that call Orion home, plus many more through the region.

“We have an exciting future here in the Township,” Roeschke said.

Also in the midst of exciting growth is the Orion Area Chamber itself.  Of the 311 member, 58 are new in the past year.  Events like the annual breakfast, the golf outing fundraiser, the food truck festival, Impact Awards luncheon, Women in Business conference, and networking mixers all provide space for business owners to connect.  Events also provide education and access, such as the State of the Community luncheon in October where members heard from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and local officials from both Orion Township  and Lake Orion, and the legislative breakfast in in June featuring US Senator Debbie Stabenow.

The Chamber also provides online support for members, including a website that’s had over 66,000 event searches and 48,000 member directory searches in the past year.  115 members invested to some extent as event sponsors, and 125 members showed up for the Jan. 31 event to get updates on the Chamber.

Chamber Director Joyce Donaldson and Operations Manager Jillian Nolan also took time to thank those who have gone above and beyond to help with the Chamber’s success, including Board members Angela DelPup who will serve as the Chairperson for 2024, Theresa Doan, Bill Kokenos, Nicole North, Aaron Whatley, Jennifer Whitteaker, and newcomers Tonya Hamilton, Chase McMunn, and Janice Zale.

The Chamber is made up of a variety of businesses – from one-person operations to large corporate entities.  A chart touting member industries shows a fairly even split of about 10% for restaurants and eateries, financial services, churches and community organizations, and medical/health providers.  Also represented are real estate services, contractors, care providers, education, automotive, and utilities.

Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett also spoke at the event, giving updates about construction and Township ammenities.  He touted the Township motto, which is “Where Living is a Vacation,” noting that creating a space where people want to be – complete with parks and recreational opportunities – helps attract residents and businesses.  He thanked the Chamber members for their part in helping the community succeed.

“I love to watch the ribbon cutting videos because it’s amazing to see the investment that continue to happen over and over every year in our community. That’s in large part to you,” Supervisor Barnett said.  “On top of that, to hear success from the local business overs that just moved here – that chose Orion to plant their flag – to hear a month or two months after their ribbon cutting that some of their best customers are repeating customers and referred clients are members of the Chamber that attended the ribbon cutting, and are part of the Ambassadors team.”

The spirit of support continues into the new year as The Chamber prepares for including the Small Business Networking Mixer on Feb. 15, the Bagels and Brew morning Mixer on March 5, and the Orion Women Leaders Networking Luncheon on March 8.

Learn more about Orion Area Chamber of Commerce events and activities at http://www.orionareachamber.com