News

GRANTS AWARDED TO OTSEGO COUNTY BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM ICE STORM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 19, 2025GRANTS AWARDED TO OTSEGO COUNTY BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM ICE STORMOTSEGO COUNTY, MI – In the wake of the devastating March 2025 ice storm, which led to a State of Emergency declaration by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a total of $50,000 in emergency mini-grants has been awarded to 70 small businesses throughout Otsego County to assist in their recovery and rebuilding efforts. The one-time emergency grants, ranging from $500 to $1,500, were designed to provide

Michigan Works! Secures $53,500 in Competitive Grants

Michigan Works! Secures $53,500 in Competitive Grants Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium has secured $53,500 in competitive training grants from the state of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund to help two local employers enhance their workforce. Awardees of the recent cycle of Going PRO funds are Alcona Citizens for Health in Alpena County (awarded $36,000) and Thunder Bay Community Mental Health Service, Inc. in Montmorency County (awarded $17,500). Throughout 2025, the team at Michigan Works!

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital Invests $2.7 Million for New MRI 

Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital Invests $2.7 Million for New MRI  Magnetom Sola MRI Provides more Efficient, Comfortable, State-of-the-Art Technology  A new Magnetom Sola MRI machine was installed earlier this month at Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital and is ready for patient use. This $2.7 million investment is part of Munson Healthcare’s Regional Care Transformation plan and commitment to expanding outpatient services in Grayling and its surrounding Northern Michigan communities.   The new

Northern Michigan’s Newest Water Park Opens in Gaylord

Administrative Declaration of a Disaster for the State of MICHIGAN

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FACT SHEET DISASTER LOANS MICHIGAN Declaration 21127 & 21128 (Disaster: MI-20034) Incident: SEVERE WINTER STORMS occurring: March 28 – 30, 2025 in Cheboygan County, Michigan; and the contiguous Michigan counties of: Charlevoix, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle Application Filing Deadlines: Physical Damage: August 8, 2025     Economic Injury: March 9, 2026  If you are located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for financial

Recovery Grant Opportunity for Public Serving Organizations affected by Ice Storm

  The Otsego Community Foundation (OCF) is pleased to announce a grant opportunity for public serving organizations (including nonprofits, schools and government entities) affected by the 2025 Ice Storm. This grant program aims to restore and strengthen the capacity of local public entities, ensuring they can continue serving the community effectively in both immediate recovery and long-term preparedness.  “Over the past five years nonprofits and other community organizations serving Otsego County have

The Smash Summer 2025

Five Northern Michigan employers recognized as “Champions”

Five Northern Michigan employers recognized as “Champions” for using Registered Apprenticeship Programs to train workers   GAYLORD— Five northern Michigan employers earned honors on Tuesday, May 28 in a ceremony following a panel discussion at the Otsego County Library aimed at recruiting more area businesses to offer Registered Apprenticeships to build the local talent pipeline.   Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, Talent Together, the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, the Michigan

Up North Dermatology is growing!

Up North Dermatology is growing! With three providers now on staff, we are accepting new patients for everything from routine skin checks to acne treatment and more. Located right in Gaylord. Learn more at www.upnorthderm.com/meet-the-team. 

Tick Talk: Smart Steps to Avoid Bites and Stay Healthy

Tick Talk: Smart Steps to Avoid Bites and Stay Healthy   The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) reminds residents to enjoy the summer outdoors—just don’t forget to take simple steps to prevent tick bites. With Lyme disease cases in Michigan rising 168% over the past five years, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS), awareness and prevention are more important than ever.     Michigan is home to more than 20 known species of ticks. Closely related to

Munson Healthcare Shares New Community Health Needs Assessment Priorities from Triennial Assessment

Munson Healthcare Shares New Community Health Needs Assessment Priorities from Triennial Assessment Access to care, economic security, and mental health identified as top focus areas – system to build on momentum of last three years.   Traverse City, Mich. - After 18 months of data research and gathering input from communities across 31 Northern Michigan counties, Munson Healthcare, in partnership with MiThrive, is announcing new priorities identified through the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment.

Power Your Business with Dodson Payment Solutions

The Annual Tackle Golf Tournament

Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce Funds Culinary Camp Scholarships for Gaylord High School Students

Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce Funds Culinary Camp Scholarships for Gaylord High School Students  GAYLORD, MI – June 9, 2025  The Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce it has provided scholarships for four talented Gaylord High School culinary program students to attend a summer culinary camp. These scholarships, totaling $1,000.00 were made possible through a percentage of ticket sales from the "Taste of Gaylord" event.  This initiative underscores the Chamber's commitment to fostering

Grand Opening of NCMC Early Learning Center Delayed

Grand Opening of NCMC Early Learning Center Delayed   WHAT: North Central Michigan College’s Early Learning Center grand opening, originally scheduled for Monday, June 9, has been postponed due to unexpected construction and inspection delays. The accompanying ribbon-cutting ceremony set for Tuesday, June 10, will also be rescheduled.   WHEN:New date to be announced later in June.   WHERE:NCMC Early Learning Center Pre-K Education Building 1421 Howard Street Petoskey, MI 49770   DETAILS: The

Northern Michigan Warhounds Bring a New Era of Semi-Pro Hockey to Gaylord

Northern Michigan Warhounds Bring a New Era of Semi-Pro Hockey to Gaylord Gaylord, MI —The Northern Michigan Warhounds are a new member and powerful addition to our community. Set to take the ice this fall at the Otsego County Sportsplex, the Warhounds represent more than just a hockey team—they embody a renewed vision for semi-professional sports in Northern Michigan. The Warhounds come as a part of the American Premier Hockey League (APHL) and will host home games on Saturday evenings and select Sunday

MSHDA Awards Grant to Help Attract Healthcare Workers to Northern Michigan

MSHDA Awards Grant to Help Attract Healthcare Workers to Northern Michigan Munson Healthcare among seven employers across the state to be chosen for the pilot initiative.    Traverse City, MI – The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has announced that it has approved and awarded a $500,000 Employer-Assisted Housing Fund (EAH) matching grant to Munson Healthcare.   The EAH Fund is backed by $10 million in state funding and offers direct support to employers that contribute matching

Otsego Memorial Hospital Parking Lot Partially Closed Due to Crane Work

Otsego Memorial Hospital Parking Lot Partially Closed Due to Crane Work Gaylord, MI — Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital would like to inform patients and visitors that a portion of the main entrance parking lot is temporarily closed due to necessary crane work. A fenced-off area has been established to ensure safety during this project, which is expected to last approximately two weeks. This work is part of the $33.6 million investment in renovation and expanding Otsego Memorial Hospital. In

Emergency Mini-Grants for Ice Storm Recovery

Otsego County Economic Alliance and the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce Announces Emergency Mini-Grants for Ice Storm Recovery [Gaylord, MI] – The Otsego County Economic Alliance and the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce that small businesses in Otsego County that were impacted by the March 2025 ice storm are now eligible to apply for emergency mini-grants to aid in their recovery. This initiative is made possible by a grant from the Disaster Response Fund (DRF) of the Otsego

NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE OPENS INNOVATIVE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE OPENS INNOVATIVE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Ribbon Cutting Scheduled for June 10 at 10 a.m.   PETOSKEY, MI — North Central Michigan College (NCMC) is proud to announce that its Early Learning Center (ELC) will open on Monday, June 9, 2025, bringing a new standard of high-quality, full-time childcare to families in Emmet County. Located in the Pre-K Education Building on NCMC’s Petoskey campus at 1421 Howard Street, the center will serve up to 12 infants, toddlers, and young