WTVB Business Beat

The Branch County Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Salute To Educators as part of its monthly After Business Hours in March. The event will take place Tuesday, March 9 at Martell’s Tavern on the Green at the Golf Club of Coldwater from 4 until 6:30 pm.

The Chamber says it’s a special night to say thank you to Branch County’s educators. Among the door prizes for the night are a flat-screen HDTV, portable DVD player, and gift cards. The March After Business Hours is sponsored by Century Bank and Trust.

The Chamber is also still accepting nominations for the annual Chamber Awards to be handed out Thursday, March 25. Awards are given for Citizen, Business, Outstanding Community Program, and Teacher of the Year. This event also symbolizes the changing of the guard to a new Chamber Board of Directors. More details are available at the Chamber’s website at www.branchareachamber.com

The Branch County Chamber of Commerce and the Hometown Competitive Initiative are sponsoring a series of “Brown Bag Webinars” over the next several months.  The next sessions are:

March 18, 2010 -- Plowing New Ground – Refreshed Leadership Development for Revitalized Economies – What does it take to refresh local leadership for community revitalization? This webinar will focus on practical and concrete strategies to identify new leaders, equip them for today’s leadership challenges and help them develop the confidence and the competence to move their communities toward more positive futures.

April 15, 2010 – Energized Youth – Energized Communities -- Craig Schroeder with the RURPI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, will discuss the tremendous revitalizing impact of young people upon rural communities, and key elements of strategic youth engagement practice, integrating entrepreneurial education and career development, youth leadership and community service, and adult mentoring with community investment in youth enterprise.

May 20, 2010 – People Count – Rebuilding Rural Communities with People Attraction Strategies -- Craig Schroeder and Don Macke with the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship will be presenting information on an exciting new resource supporting people attraction as a development strategy. This webinar will present new research and strategy insights based on Kellogg Foundation funded work from last year.

The webinars are free from 1 pm-2 pm at the Henry L. Brown Municipal Building in Coldwater, but you’re asked to RSVP to the Branch County Area Chamber of Commerce. 

There will be an open house for City Manager Bill Stewart in the second floor rotunda at the Henry L Brown building Friday February 26th from 2 – 4 pm. Bill is retiring after 20 years of service to the city of Coldwater.

Monarch Community Bank will be accepting donations in memorial of Melanie Collins, age 32 who lost her life on January 23rd life to pulmonary embolism unexpectedly. Melanie left behind two children, ages nine and three.

The donations made at Monarch Community Bank will go towards the care and education of her children. Collins was married to her husband John for 10 years, who is left to provide for his young family. For questions about donating, please call the Hillsdale branch at 517.439.1790

The Monarch Community Bank branch in Hillsdale is located at 1 W. Carlton. Monarch also has branches in Union City, Coldwater, and Marshall.

Broadcast engineers work diligently to ensure the integrity of our airwaves. For those who have exercised their skills and innovations for the advancement of technology, this is our opportunity to say "you're outstanding". Two awards are given each year - one to a radio engineer and one to a television engineer.

Candidates for the Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award must have been an employee, officer, or owner of any company, subsidiary or division whose primary business is broadcasting, or is directly in support of radio or television station in Michigan.

One award for radio engineering and one award for television engineering will be awarded. The size of the organization with which each candidate is affiliated is not a determining factor. The merits of the contributions to broadcast engineering are the sole factors to be taken into account.

Radio Winner: Ed Trombley, Field Engineer/RF Expert, Munn-Reese, Inc, Coldwater, Michigan. Ed Trombley is the Field Engineer and RF Expert Extraordinaire at Munn-Reese, Inc. He began his broadcasting career as a student at Lake Superior State College in the Electronic Engineering Technology program. Upon graduating Ed worked as a contract engineer for several years at numerous stations across Lower Michigan.

In 1984 Ed took on the position of Chief Engineer and Technical Director of Telecommunications at WSAE/KTGG at Spring Arbor College. After a decade of service at Spring Arbor College, Ed made to the move to Munn-Reese, Inc. in Coldwater, MI to work as a field engineer conquering the most complex of radio engineering issues.

Since his move to Munn-Reese, Ed has become quite the Engineering celebrity throughout the state known for his problem solving and uncanny way of communicating with the finickiest of machinery.

In addition to his professional work, Ed is known for his garage full of old broadcast parts and equipment supplying the local theatre with period props not to mention the numerous Engineers who have been helped in a pinch because of his garage full of goodies. Ed is married to his lovely wife Mary and the couple has four children.

The Branch County Area Chamber of Commerce has a number if upcoming events, including the monthly After Business Hours Tuesday, February 16 at the Southern Michigan Bank and Trust Conference Center in Coldwater from 5-7 pm.

Monarch Community Bank has announced the Employee of the 4th Quarter for the bank. Jerry Yoder, vice president and REO and special projects manager. Yoder was chosen by his co-workers for the award. He has worked at Monarch for 33 years.

Yoder started his career at Monarch Community Bank, formerly Branch County Federal Savings and Loan, as a loan officer. He has served in many positions over the years and has worked at seven different locations. Most of his past experience has been in residential and commercial lending.

Yoder graduated from Westview High School in Topeka, Indiana and graduated with his BS degree from Tri-State College in General Business. When asked what he likes most about his job he said, “the varied challenges and duties in my position.” Jerry resides Ovid Township with his wife Teresa.

Don Denney, Monarch Community Bank’s President and CEO was pleased to announce Yoder as the recipient at a recent employee meeting and said, “Jerry has certainly earned this award through his dedication and commitment to Monarch over the years. We’re glad to have him on our team”.

Monarch Community Bank has over 90 employees located in branches throughout Coldwater, Hillsdale and Calhoun counties. For more information about Monarch Community Bank products and services, go to www.monarchcb.com or call your local branch.

Ice Fest 2010 turned out to be a very chili day in more ways than anticipated. With eight downtown businesses participated for this year’s in a Chili Tasting there was plenty of ways to get your fill of Chili. Downtown visitors walked to the businesses and tasted chili from the Tail Gators Sports Bar and Grill, Lamplighter Lounge, North Woods Coffee, Jeanie’s Diner, Lefty’s Lounge, the Siren’s Bar and Grill, Ponderosa and Stoagies Family Cafe. The winner for the 2010 Downtown Best Tasting Chili was Siren’s Bar and Grill with Jeanie’s Diner a close second.

Comments from this year’s Chili Tasting were very positive remarked Tracy Kelley of Edward Jones who helped organize the event. “Almost every one participating commented that they thought this was a great idea. The chili was great and to make sure to continue the tasting as a part of Ice Fest each year.” noted Kelley.

Winner of the $50 DBA gift certificate for participating in this year’s event was Candace Shedd from Sturgis.

The 2010 Ice Fest would not be possible without the support of major sponsors. This year’s major sponsors are Michigan Gas Utilities, Wal-Mart Distribution Center 6043, GOKOH Coldwater Incorporated, Wal-Mart Transportation Center 6843.

Rick Herman, Bryan Massey and Bryan Smith, employees of the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities, recently passed Michigan DEQ examinations for certification as a drinking water operator. Mr. Herman has successfully completed his S-3certification, Mr. Smith completed the S-2 certification and Mr. Massy has reached the S-1 certification level. The "D" certifications are for water treatment, while the "S" certifications are for water distribution. Operators must meet educational qualifications, experience qualifications, and receive an examination score of 70% or better.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the CBPU, Director Beckhusen congratulates Mr. Herman, Mr. Massey and Mr. Smith for successfully obtaining these certifications. These accomplishments speak highly of their work ethic and dedication to support the CBPU’s strong foundation for serving its customers.

After Business Hours will be held on Tuesday, February 9th at the Southern Michigan Bank Conference Center from 5 to 7 pm. Hor D’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. Sponsored by Branch County coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Branch County Community Foundation

In the spirit of a difficult holiday season for many people, the management at Monarch Community Bank decided that although Christmas gifts for customers are nice, this year they would put the money to better use. With the money that is usually spent on gifts, the bank made donations instead to area food pantries.

 A total of $750 was donated to the Branch Area Food Panty in Coldwater, Marshall Area Community Services in Marshall, and Kings Cupboard and St. Anthony’s Family Center in Hillsdale, where Monarch has branches. “We felt this year like our community could use the money better than our customers could use a small token of our appreciation,” said Don Denney, President/CEO. Monarch customers were notified that a donation had been made in their name to the food pantries in a holiday card that was sent. “It feels good to give back and we know our customers understand the need,” said Denney.

 Monarch Community Bank has branches located in Marshall, Coldwater, Union City and Hillsdale. For more information about Monarch Community Bank products and services, go to www.monarchcb.com or call your local branch.