Businesses and Community Groups Connect at Waterford Showcase
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 18, 2025)
Waterford, MI – In the 35 plus square miles that make up Waterford Township there are countless stories to be told of ambitious entrepreneurs, dedicated volunteers, and those who simply want to be part of the community and make life better for their neighbors.
The Waterford Showcase event, held May 8 at Waterford Mott High School and hosted by Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce, was a chance to bring many pieces of the community together.
Liz Waun and Kim Wilcox are librarians at the Waterford Township Library. They were excited to share info with visitors about the Summer Reading Program for adults and kids that kicks off June 2. “Literacy is important to everybody,” said Wilcox, who is a children’s librarian. “That’s what summer reading is all about, to make sure that no one slips backwards.”
The Library doesn’t just have books. Waun shared that the library also has video games and movies for people to check out, plus those with a library card can access books and movies for free online. “You don’t even need to set foot in the building,” she said.
Also there to serve the community is a nonprofit called Fueling Kids’ Future, formerly known as Blessings in a Backback. The organization changed names, but the mission is still the same – to make sure kids in Waterford don’t go hungry on the weekends. Robin McGregor is the Chairperson of the group, and she was on hand to let people know about the opportunity to donate. Currently the group provides backpacks full of food to 220 students across three elementary schools – Knudsen, Donaldson, and Riverside.
“Our goal is expanding to middle school and high school students,” McGregor said. “We want to make sure kids have nutrition to be able to come to school prepared. When they have what they need, they can do more. And we want all our kids to succeed.”
Another organization with a presence at the Expo was ABATE – American Bikers Aiming Towards Education, Michigan Chapter. Bill Stewart and Hess Bates have been dedicated to raising awareness of motorcyclists – and pedestrians and bicyclists – for decades.
“I just want people to watch out for us,” Stewart said. “It’s gotten worse with texting and driving. People just don’t pay attention.”
In addition to attending events and putting out signs to watch for motorcycles, ABATE keeps up on legislation that impacts motorcyclists. “No fault insurance reform is a big one,” Stewart said. “Senate Bill 1 of 2019 has caused us huge problems.” He said that if a motorcyclist is injured in a crash, their ability to have medical needs met depends on what level of insurance the driver buys.
Stewart said ABATE works with legislators, including State Representative Brenda Carter, to lobby for changes that better protect motorcyclists. “Brenda Carter is a friend of ABATE and we appreciate her efforts.”
In addition to giving organizations a chance to reach residents, the Waterford Showcase gave businesses a chance to connect with visitors, and with each other.
“Before we opened to the public, they gave the businesses a chance to meet and network.” Said April Forbes, proprietor of April’s Famous Bakes. “That’s one thing the Chamber is really good at, we’re all so busy in our own world, but they find ways to help. I like the intentional connections.”
Forbes opened a storefront location in Waterford four years ago, but most of her time is spent at farmers markets, including the Oakland County Farmers Market where she operates a café. She’s also growing her catering opportunities, offering sandwiches and boxed lunches in addition to her selection of baked goods.
Another Waterford-based business is Mammoth Door and Construction. April Jones and her husband Chris started the business in 2002. Chris is a fourth generation carpenter, and April handles bookkeeping. By owning their own business it gave them a chance to spend more time with their children. “I loved being able to work with the kids playing in the office,” she said. “We can make our on schedules so there’s time to volunteer, time go on field trips with them.”
The business allows them to put their family first, and the Jones’ return that good will by putting their customers first. “We’re upfront and honest about pricing, and we make sure people know all the information before we start working,” April said. “We believe in treating people how you want to be treated.”
The policy has helped them build a business with good reviews, repeat customers, and referrals.
Andrew Little of Waterford Concepts LLC also loves working with clients. Little is an engineer who spends his days in the automotive industry, and runs his business on the side, helping people bring innovative ideas to life.
“When you’re an engineer, you get into a bigger company and you focus on one little thing,” he said. “With Waterford Concepts I can work on a variety of things.”
He can help a client bring an idea to fruition, design prototypes, or do small runs of products. One of his favorite successes is working with Bridgemate, which is a product that makes billiards and snooker accessible to people with disabilities, even at the professional level. The products are now used in competitions worldwide.
“I’m surprised with what someone comes up with, and how it turns out for them. You don’t know what will be popular or what will work. It just feels good to figure it out and see what happens,” Little said. He can produce small runs of product, create molds, solve design and engineering problems, create parts for machines and bigger projects, make promotional materials and more.
Even Waterford Township itself had a booth at the Showcase, with Amy Williams and Korenda Schaeffer of the Development Services Department on hand to answer questions, and share what they love about the Township. One big project now is the creation of a business district in the Drayton Plains neighborhood.
“It’s an up and coming community,” Schaeffer said, “with so many lakes and lots of green space and parks. We have new and exciting businesses and it’s a great place for families.”
The Expo was hosted by the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about the Chamber at https://waterfordchamber.org/.
