Orion Area Chamber Breakfast Highlights Community Successes

(Crystal A. Proxmire, March 2, 2026)

Lake Orion, MI – The Orion Area Chamber of Commerce brought business owners and community members together for their annual Member Appreciation Breakfast. The event touted Chamber successes, as well as gave local officials a chance to share updates.

The Chamber celebrated 75 years in 2025. Chamber President and CEO Joyce Donaldson shared that last year the organization held 110 events, including 30 ribbon cuttings, and 14 networking mixers. There were 73 new members, bringing the total to 345 members by the end of the year.

Fourteen percent of those members are in the health and wellness industries. This realization led the Chamber to launch the Health and Wellness Peer to Peer Group. This gives members in those areas a chance to network and connect. This follows the previous creation of the Trades and Builders Peer to Peer Group, which represents the second most common business type in the Chamber.

So far in 2026, there are seven new members: Kids Tooth Team, Operation Breast Density, Paramount Roofing, Rise Lounge, Soteria Security Solutions, Tommy’s Express, and Twice Blessed Consignment Resale.

2026 Board Chair Theresa Doan talked about the value of attending Chamber events. “How do you decide what events to go to?” she said. “Look at the list and see where you fit. Who do you want to meet?”

“You never know who’s in the room. You never know where that conversation is going to lead to. You just gotta come out and find out.”

The event included updates from local officials, including Lake Orion Schools Superintendent Heidi Mercer.

Mercer noted the value of collaborating with the Chamber, saying “I’d like to thank the Chamber of Commerce for the vital role you play in supporting the economy and the community. Strong schools and a strong business community go hand and hand.”

Lake Orion Village President Teresa Rutt talked about several projects that are in the works, including work on 16 sewer lift stations, sidewalk improvements, neighborhood street resurfacing on the west side of M24, redoing the basketball court at Atwater Park, and replacing the bridge in Children’s Park.

She shares in the frustration of residents who view infrastructure projects as an expense that’s hard to see the benefits of, such as the sewer lifts. But they’re a necessary part of keeping the city functional. “Infrastructure is invisible when it works,” she said. “And it’s unforgettable when it doesn’t”

The Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority (DDA) also is investing in projects that keep the community thriving. “We reinvest in all of you, and we get great joy in that,” said DDA Director Matt Gibb. “The DDA is focusing its resources on how do we create the most welcoming place.”

For 19 years the DDA has been a nationally-accredited Main Street, following a program that has proven success in downtowns across the country, and using best practices that have helped keep Lake Orion a place people want to visit, to invest, and to live.

The most notable project of the past few years has been the transformation of the former lumberyard property into a vibrant multi-purpose gathering space with a mix of businesses, recreational use, and event space. A giant historic barn is being renovated into an event space, and the former stalls for lumber and mulch are providing the framework for a farmers market. And a small boutique hotel is anticipated. And improvements at the trailhead are already attracting pedestrians and bicyclists to the area.

The transformation also has a focus on historic preservation, and public art. “You’re going to be able to hang out at the lumberyard,” Gibb said.

Gibb recognized new businesses in the Downtown, including Michigan By The Bottle, Waterside Social, and Moceri. He also acknowledged the volunteers who put in so much time and effort to help Lake Orion Thrive. Recently the DDA held their Illuminators Award ceremony to recognize some of those who are involved.

“Illuminators shine a light on all the good we do,” Gibb said.

That idea of promoting “Illuminators” carries forward into the work of Orion Township, with Supervisor Chris Barnett focusing on the newest effort for community positivity.

“Every single community is dealing with the same thing,” he said. “We all have keyboard warriors… But you have the power. You see the posts. My challenge for you today, if you see the negativity, don’t be afraid to jump in and respond… stick up for each other… You are an Illuminator.”

Orion ONTV captured the event, which can be viewed on the ONTV You Tube page.

Learn more about Orion Area Chamber of Commerce at https://www.orionareachamber.com/

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