Mattawan Business Association
Meeting Minutes
June 14, 2006
 
The meeting was held at Main Street Pub. Many attendees enjoyed lunch while networking and participating in the MBA meeting.
 
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lori Anthony of Lori’s Web Design, Jean Gregory of Gregory-Newell Insurance, John Jeannot of John Jeannot Financial Services, Dawn Kobreek of Rhino Refrigeration; Kristine Kounelis of Access First Federal Credit Union, Mike Miner of Java Joint, Dr. Kayla Ranger-Dean of Mattawan Chiropractic, Jennifer Scholtz of Family Relocation, Dr. Theresa Seim of Mattawan Family Eye Care AND HER GUY?????,
 
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom Brown of Mattawan Hardware, Barry Cook of Pre-Paid Legal Services
 
MEMBERS/GUESTS: Amanda Von Eitzen, Brian, Manager of Super 8 in Paw Paw
 
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 12:10 PM by MBA President Lori Anthony after attendees took time to order lunch.
 
AGENDA
MSC to approve the Agenda.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MSC to approve the May 3, 2006, MBA Minutes.
 
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Mike Miner distributed reports of the Treasurer for review. He also announced additional MBA members from this past month which include Freightliner. 
 
NEW BUSINESS
The Manager of the Super 8 in Paw Paw introduced himself. He is also involved with the Red Arrow Country group. He is looking to be more involved, and also stated that he is willing and able to support events by donating a gift certificate for an overnight stay at the Inn. He stated that many people like to win the Certificate not for themselves but for family, friends, guests that come into town as a free means to “put them up for the night” in such a nice way.
 
OLD BUSINESS
President Anthony reviewed with attendees the Red Arrow Country joint marketing effort of six communities along Red Arrow highway. These communities shared the costs to market their communities for tourism and are linked through their common web site at www.redarrowcountry.org which Anthony encourages everyone to visit. Each community can post Calendar of Events and again has a link to their community’s web site too. Much discussion and comment ensued as each community is supposed to have two seats for the Board of Red Arrow Country; however, some business owners in these communities want more seats. Much still needs to be resolved to get the Red Arrow Country Board up and working. Anthony encouraged other business members to attend the meetings and get involved.
Anthony reminded businesses that MBA member businesses will be featured on our community’s web site http://www.mattawan.org/portal/ on a monthly rotational and random basis, so a “hat” drawing of MBA member businesses was held. The next month’s featured business will be Mattawan Family Pet Center! Check out the site each month to se if your business is featured!!!
 
President Anthony stated that the schedule for the "Blast From the Past… 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s" Mattawan Days Festival and the Festival guide is being completed!!! NOW IS THE TIME TO at least verbally commit to a sponsorship of the Festival in order to have your business advertised and to obtain a booth space at the Park. Again, payment plans may be set up. The front and back cover are taken by Major Sponsors. EPC is a Major Sponsor, hosting McGruff the Crime Dog along with kids’ id kits. Access First Federal Credit Union is a Major Sponsor, bringing the 5K back -- both a walk and a race, the Wildcat Classic. MPI is a big sponsor as well. EVERY SPONSORSHIP COUNTS, so please get your involvement in the community cemented now with a commitment to the Festival! In addition, the Saturday night FIREWORKS show is again in place from the same Anonymous Donor AND IT”S FOR MORE FIREWORKS THAN LAST YEAR’s show which was SUPER!!!! MBA members and attendees are very appreciative of the donor!!! The fireworks show was spectacular at last year’s Festival, so a bigger show this year is just amazing! Thank you fireworks show donor!!!!
 
President Anthony reiterated that she is waiting for the Parks & Recreation Committee of the Village of Mattawan for the list of names, titles, and service info., etc. to order the bricks as Memorials and Honorariums at for the Village of Mattawan Park. Also, businesses who donated to the stage/park improvements will also receive a brick in recognition of their donations. A brick with the business name on it will be placed. Other business who would like bricks may place orders from the Mattawan web site. Now is a good time to do so in order to get your brick placed promptly with the first initial order. The brick order form along with prices may be obtained from the site. Larger bricks for more space for text or for placing a business logo may be purchased too. Please check the order form on the web site for details and pricing.
Council Liaison John Jeannot stated that the Village Council had such a full agenda at this past month’s meeting that agenda time was not allowed for discussion of bringing back a shared newsletter with the MBA that the Council had previously asked the MBA about doing. Jeannot will forward our comments about the shared newsletter opportunity at a future Council Meeting.
 
Discussion of new developments and businesses in the area followed (Mattawan, Paw Paw, Lawton). Kristine Kounelis reminded attendees about the recent meeting discussing Mattawan’s growth and development, hosted by Village Manager Heath Kaplan along with the Lacota Group (hired by the Village through a paid private donation), which some Mattawan business owners and residents attended. The Lacota Group has been hired to complete a study of Mattawan to give direction for future growth and development of our community. Input by guests was given verbally as well as through completing a short questionnaire. The Village office has the “surveys” available for pick up and they may be submitted with your ideas/comments to the Lacota Group.
 
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
 
COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS/GUESTS
None. Comments/opinions given as items discussed.
 
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next meeting will be postponed one week due to the 4th of July holiday falling so close to it. Thus, the next MBA Meeting will be Wednesday, July 12. Also, it will be held at Main Street Pub once again.
 
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.