February 2020 Issue

Giving It a Shot: Traverse City Whiskey's whirlwind growth means operations expansion

By Craig Manning

It all began as a hobby.

In 2012, Traverse City Whiskey Co. was launched by three friends who shared a love of whiskey and a disenchantment with corporate life.Eight years later, the company is the largest craft spirits distillery in the state of Michigan. 2020 promises even more growth, including a new distilling facility on Leelanau Peninsula and expansions to at least three new markets.

Co-owner Chris Frederickson, who founded TC Whiskey with his business partners, Jared Rapp and Moti Goldring, still can’t quite believe the meteoric rise his brand has seen over the past eight years.

“We were just …

NMC Helps Backfill Job Gaps: College links students to difficult-to-hire positions

By Craig Manning

Partnerships between Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) and several local businesses are helping employers fill crucial job gaps in their ranks.

According to Jason Slade, the academic chair for NMC’s technical academic area, the college has been in the process of linking students to local employers. NMC students benefit by getting hands-on work experience and perhaps a pathway to well-paying job prospects. On the other side, the partner businesses benefit by being able to fill difficult-to-hire …

Great Lakes Potato Chip's double-digit growth sparks $1M expansion

By Amy Lane

When Great Lakes Potato Chip Co. adds a new building this spring to boost warehouse space, it won’t be the first expansion for the 10-year-old company. And it probably won’t be the last.

The chip manufacturer has been on a growth trajectory through many of its years, expanding geographical reach, sales and operations.

Inspired by CEO Ed Girrbach's favorite snack, he and son Chris Girrbach, president, launched the business venture in 2009. Their goal: To …

Perk Up: How area employers use perks and corporate culture to drive recruitment and retention

By Craig Manning

In October, the national unemployment rate hit 3.5% – its lowest point since May 1969. While some economic experts have suggested that a slowdown or even another recession might be on the horizon, the economy is booming at the moment and job opportunities are plentiful.

In this so-called “job-seeker’s economy,” how are employers staying competitive with both their recruitment efforts and their employee retention strategies? The Traverse City Business News sat down with a few …

Traveling Through Heartbreak

One of the focuses in this month's TCBN is on travel, meetings and events. After a tragic and life-changing experience three years ago, I have personally discovered the powerful and healing benefits that traveling can offer. Today I live with a renewed focus on creating happy, long-lasting memories, especially gained …

By Connie Deneweth

Commissioners, It's Time to Approve New Airport Authority

Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is one of Northern Michigan’s true gems. A modern, convenient and high-quality transportation hub, TVC is a key regional asset and considered a tier one, critical component of the state transportation system. The airport produces roughly $1 billion of annual economic impact, ranking behind only Detroit …

By Warren Call

Up, Up and Away: As economy booms, so do local aviation services companies

Much of the recent news coming out of Cherry Capital Airport has been about the expansion of commercial passenger service to new locations, including cities in California, Florida and Texas.

But there is a lot of activity happening in the private business travel and personal aircraft segments.

“People are seeing …

By Rick Haglund

Food, beverage producers expand operations, products in 2020

Coming soon near you: more foods and beverages featuring new and exciting ingredients, spaces and trends.In the brewing industry, Benzie County’s third brewery, Five Shores Brewing, opened in downtown Beulah. It joins Lake Ann Brewery and Stormcloud Brewing in Frankfort.

Owners Matt Demorest and Oliver Roberts had home brewed since …

By Ross Boissoneau

Hunting High and Low: Area recruiters use old-fashioned techniques in tight labor market

As a rookie recruiter, Chris Rigan learned a hard lesson after a candidate he had referred showed up to the interview in slippers.

The candidate interviewing for a quality assurance engineering job at a manufacturing company, she was qualified for the position ... but didn't quite put her best foot …

By Todd VanSickle

Before the Next Recession: Three things HR pros should do before an economic downturn

In September of 2008, Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy. By the end of 2008, the effects of the economic collapse had reached all corners of the economy. The Great Recession caught many companies off guard. For human resource professionals, this meant having to quickly make difficult staffing decisions, often without …

By Anders Gillis

A Decade's Worth of Business Books

By Chris Wendel

It’s the beginning of a new decade; time to both reflect and look ahead. It’s also been close to 10 years since I began reviewing business-related books for the TCBN. It was recently suggested by local SCORE mentor Ed Ketterer that I put together a top 10 …

By Chris Wendel

PAST ISSUES

View this Issue in Archives