Advocacy in Action

The Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II sent an update from Lansing for West Coast Chamber Members in November of 2021.

Promoting a Business Friendly Environment

We put advocacy into action working for our members. The West Coast Chamber serves as the region's advocate for business at the local, state and federal levels, representing the combined strength of our diverse industry sectors.

We listen carefully to your concerns and find ways to make connections and facilitate conversations on key issues that impact our community.

We call this "Advocacy in Action".

2021-2022 Advocacy Priorities

2021-2022

INFRASTRUCTURE

Modern, up-to date infrastructure must be maintained for our community and state to effectively compete in the global marketplace.

Encourage the deployment of internet technologies that are ubiquitous and affordable to support the development, attraction, and growth of technology-based businesses and jobs
Advocate for the development of energy policies that ensure reliable and economical energy supplies while maintaining environmental responsibility
Support Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan infrastructure needs including dredging and port projects
Endorse efforts to ensure a clean and viable water system
Support the West Michigan Regional Airport and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Maintain and grow the commitment to fix Michigan’s roads and bridges
Support the development and funding of a long-term strategy that includes asset management to modernize and maintain Michigan’s critical economic development infrastructure

A TALENTED MICHIGAN

To compete in the 21st Century economy and to continue to grow as a state, Michigan must attract, grow and retain a highly-skilled workforce.

Continue investment in early childhood development through programs such as Ready for School, which results in improved student outcomes, enhanced academic achievement, and decreased social service costs
Support rigorous K-12 reforms standards that prepare students for success in the 21st century economy
Support effective workforce training programs like the Skilled Trades Training Fund
Enhance career counseling with the focus of helping students and adults explore career options, whether that pathway is early/middle college, apprenticeship, community college or four-year universities, and provide guidance on setting a path to a career
Support market-based approaches for affordable housing including efforts of Housing Next in our community
Support efforts of Public Transportation in our community
Support reasonable criminal justice reform that would reduce barriers of employment

TACKLING UNFUNDED LIABILITIES

Michigan is making headway to address legacy costs. Retiree benefits must be addressed to resolve the problems hamstringing too many local units of government.

Encourage transparency of the real obligations facing units of government, using realistic assumptions
Support appropriate funding plans and/or move to a defined contribution for retiree income
Support appropriate funding plans and/or move to a defined contribution for retiree healthcare

PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE

We must work to institutionalize a culture of good governance in Michigan.

Promote the civility in political discourse
Encourage responsible, timely, long-term budgeting at the state and local level
Encourage regular review of programs to determine they are efficient and effective
Support consistent and smart regulatory environment that avoids duplicative and costly regulation
Support efforts that encourage the sharing of services and cooperation between local governments

ENVIRONMENT

The Chamber must work to ensure that environmental regulations encourage and support a growing economy while balancing and protecting our quality of life.

Encourage control of invasive species
Support efforts to continue to achieve our region’s air quality attainment status
Support Project Clarity and efforts to improve Lake Macatawa Water Quality

HEALTHCARE

The rising cost of health care directly impacts business. The Chamber will provide information and tools to help member businesses control health care costs.

Endorse efforts to control the rising cost of health care through expanding flexibility, transparency, competition, and choice in the health insurance marketplace
Support Medicaid reform as long as it does not adversely affect health care costs.

Advocacy Partners

As a part of the West Michigan Chamber Coalition (WMCC), we lend our voice to that of the Grand Rapids, Muskegon Lakeshore, and Grand Haven/Spring Lake/Ferrysburg Chambers of Commerce. The WMCC speaks with a voice of over 6,000 members when lobbying legislators in Lansing on behalf of West Michigan business. The WMCC and its members will also participate in advancing the directives of the Regional Policy Forum.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, and advocates for pro-business policies that create jobs and grow our economy. Key issues range from smart tax policy and regulatory relief to legal reform and trade promotion.We are recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a 5-Star Accredited Chamber.

Elected Officials