Thanks to the coordination efforts of the Cheboygan Economic Development Group (CEDG), Downtown Cheboygan’s maple trees will soon be lit with white twinkle lights… just in time for the festive holiday season!   This concept has been bandied about for some time, but it was the efforts of Charlene McClurg, CEDG beautification chairperson who got this proverbial ball rolling. Char solicited donations from private citizens to fund the lighting of 16 trees on Main Street. Currently the plan includes lighting the trees from State Street to Elm Street, but Char advises that more trees can be lit when donations are secured.

Bud Darnell, CEDG President, coordinated efforts with local companies, Cheboygan Cement, Cheboygan Lumber Company, Chip Drake Masonry, Ground Level Masonry, and Straits Electric. These companies donated their time to wire the electricity so the trees could have an outlet to plug into. This work is still in the process of being completed, but it is likely it will be completed soon. The lights will be connected to the power source located next to the trees which in turn generates power from the lampposts. The lights will be set to the lamppost timers so when the lampposts illuminate light, the trees will illuminate light as well.

The Downtown Tree Lighting project was presented to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors in October by the CEDG. The DDA Board unanimously approved the project and agreed to absorb the costs of ongoing maintenance and electrical. This project goes to show the positive effects of a partnership between public and private groups. Holiday Lighting Service, Inc. provides annual service to St. Ignace so it was economically beneficial to coordinate service on both communities at the same time.

If you would like to sponsor a tree or donate to the Downtown Tree Light project, please send $150 to the CEDG, c/o Chris Sangster, CEDG Treasurer, 123 North Huron, Cheboygan, MI 49721. This is a nice opportunity for businesses or families to contribute to a worthwhile project.

This project could not have come at a better time. The DPW crew is readying the holiday garland to decorate the downtown area and the added twinkle lights will enhance the overall scheme on Main Street. Citizens National Bank even got bit by the “twinkle light fever” by adding the same type of lights to the trees in front of their parking lot. When you are downtown in the evening, be sure to check out these lights. This will definitely be quite a sight to see when the entire project is complete.

With the Main Street construction complete, it appears as though we have a brand new downtown.  This is the perfect time to start a downtown business.  I know some of you are probably scratching your heads right now.  Yes, the economy as a whole has seen better days.  Michigan especially is dealing with some challenges, but with challenges, come opportunities. 

If you are serious about starting a business in Downtown Cheboygan, it is important to note that there are many resources at your disposal.  The Downtown Development Authority (www.cheboygan.org), Cheboygan Economic Development Group (www.cheboyganedg.com), Chamber of Commerce (www.cheboygan.com), and Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (www.northernlakes.net) are good places to start when investigating the possibility of starting your own business.  These groups have their fingers on the pulse of the local economy and are aware of the challenges and opportunities facing the local business climate.  To help educate yourself on the Cheboygan community, I urge you to check out the websites of each of these groups. 

 Speaking of websites… the DDA website has a tab entitled “Business Opportunities.”  This section lists vacant properties for sale and for lease.  This area also identifies the types of businesses that the local community would like to see in Downtown Cheboygan, and also the community demographics.

The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) is a fantastic resource for anyone in the market to open a new business or even for those who already own businesses.  The NLEA recently opened a Business Resource Center in the Cheboygan Public Libarary (www.cheboyganlibrary.org).   The Business Resource Center offers a wide variety of print and electronic guides and reference materials covering many relevant business topics, as well as suggested federal, state and local websites to assist with business formation and business planning.  The NLEA is able to offer this valuable resource as a result of a partnership effort with local libraries, chambers of commerce, Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-sbTdc), and Northwest Michigan Works, among others. 

Educating yourself about starting a new business is the key to successful business planning.  Free and confidential business counseling is available from sbTdc certified business counselors.  One-on-one counseling is a free service for individuals who want to improve, revitalize or expand their companies, or develop a new venture.  Also, the NLEA offers informative and relevant business workshops targeted for small businesses.  Theses workshops are coordinated in conjunction with local chambers of commerce.  To schedule a business counseling appointment or to learn more about the business workshops, simply call the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce  – 627-7183. 

Starting a new business can be an overwhelming process, but it doesn’t have to be if you educate yourself.  There are many resources right here in Cheboygan that can help you with your prospective endeavor.

www.cheboygan.org

www.cheboygan.com

www.cheboyganedg.com

www.northernlakes.net

www.cheboyganlibrary.org

Kirsten Guenther is the Downtown Enhancement Administrator for the City of Cheboygan.  Kirsten can be reached at kguenther@cheboygan.org. 

Downtown Cheboygan is a proud sponsor of Riverfest!  Check out the following events and activities that will take place during the Annual Riverfest event:

August 15:
Churchill Classic 5k & 10k Race/1 Mile Walk – 8:00 a.m*  www.cnbismybank.com
Vietnam Veterans Food & Beverage Tent – Noon-7:00 pm*
Motorcycle Show – Pre-registration – Noon-2:00 pm*
Motorcycle Ride In Show – 2:00-5:00 pm*

August 18:
Totally Teen Night – 7:00-11:00 pm*

August 19:
Entertainment & Beverage Tent – 4:00-11:00 pm*
Fish Cook Off – 5:30-6:30 pm*
Waiter Races – 6:30-7:30 pm*
River Idol – 7:00 pm*
DJ Jamie Hollopeter – 5:00-11:00 pm*

August 20:
Entertainment & Beverage Tent – 4:00-11:00 pm*
Beautification Party – 5:00-7:30 pm*
Eddy King Band – 7:30-11:00 pm*

August 21:
Author Author at the Gildner Gallery – 1:00-6:00 pm
Eagle Fish Fry – 5:00-8:00 pm*
Entertainment & Beverage Tent – 5:00-Midnight*
Billy Jewell – 5:00-8:00 pm*
The Blitz – 8:00 pm-Midnight*

August 22:
Kayak/Bicycle Biathlon at City Beach- 9:00 am
Jaycee Duck Races at City Beach – 10:30 am-Noon
Craft Show in the grassy area next to Mulligans – 11:00 am-7:00 pm
Old 27 Car Show on Water Street- Noon
Entertainment & Beverage Tent – Noon-Midnight*
Food provided by the Cheboygan Historical Society – Noon-10:00 pm*
Kids Day in Washington Park – 1:00-4:00 pm
Boat Parade on the Cheboygan River – Dusk

* Activities take place in the Riverfest Tent in the Water Street Parking Lot

Please contact the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce for more information – 627-7183 or visit their website:  www.cheboygan.com

Downtown Cheboygan Sidewalk Sales will be held August 6-8, 2009.  Don’t miss the deals your local retailers offer during this special 3 day event. 

You will find some additional activities at the Sidewalk Sales this year:

• On Thursday, Michigan’s #1 live statue will be here from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  This bronze statue will move throughout downtown entertaining shoppers.  He is certainly someone you won’t want to miss. 
• On Friday plan on having lunch at the Citizens National Bank parking lot.  Employees from CNB will have a hot dog sale on Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with all proceeds going to the Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity.  DJ Jerry Cannell will provide musical entertainment as well. 
• On Saturday, “The Intoxitones” will hold an acoustical performance on from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the grassy area next to Mulligans. 

 Enjoy the shopping convenience of your Downtown Cheboygan merchants this summer.  For more information, please contact the Kirsten Guenther, 627-9931 or kguenther@cheboygan.org.

Garrison Keillor has lost his famous red shoes and it is up to the shoppers of Downtown Cheboygan to find them!

Garrison Keillor, host of Prairie Home Companion, is coming to town on August 1 to perform two benefit concerts for the Cheboygan Opera House.  Before he arrives, his famous red shoes will be here to offer a prize to downtown shoppers.  Garrison always wears his famous red shoes when he does his weekly radio show.  Sixteen businesses in the downtown area will have posters in their window with Garrison’s shoes on them.  Each day one of these businesses will have the red shoes in their store.  If you find the shoes, fill out the entry form to register to win two tickets to the 2:00 pm Matinee on August 1 and two tickets to the evening on-stage party after the evening performance.

The contest started on July 14, but it will continue through July 30.  If you haven’t had a chance to stop by the retail stores to hunt for the missing shoes, it’s not too late to join in on the fun.  You are allowed to enter the drawing once a day for the duration of the contest so you have multiple times to be entered into the drawing.  The winner will be drawn on Friday, July 31 – just in time to see the show on August 1.

Downtown eateries have developed Garrison Keillor-inspired appetizers, entrees, deserts and beverages based on his shows, books, and music.  Check out the Downtown restaurants to see what kind of treats they have come up with.