The Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce has announced it’s moving into Bridgman, although that’s not really official.
The Harbor Country Chamber in a release this week said Bridgman is now being covered by its Harbor Country brand. Harbor Country Director Kimberlee Wendt says a group of Bridgman business owners were recently presented with a special declaration officially designating Bridgman a part of Harbor Country, adding that Harbor Country is excited to promote Bridgman.
However, this does not mean the city of Bridgman has changed its relationship with the Greater Bridgman Area Chamber and Growth Alliance or the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber.
We’re told the news out of Harbor Country came as a surprise to some in Bridgman. And Mayor Jan Trapani tells us the city just this month reaffirmed its partnership with the CGA and Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. She says she supports all efforts to strengthen local businesses, but nothing has changed.
Likewise, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber tells us there’s been a lot of momentum in Bridgman the last several years, and it can’t fault another organization for wanting to be a part of it. However, nothing has changed.
The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and the Bridgman CGA continue to develop new programs in the community and attract new businesses. The two have had an affiliation agreement for five years, while the CGA has had an official partnership with the city for 18 years.
We’ve reached out to the Harbor Country Chamber for more information but have not heard back.
