October 2020 Issue

The Silver Tsunami: Local businesses that stand to grow as the boomer population ages

By Craig Manning

According to the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan (AAANM), baby boomers now account for 30% of the northwest Michigan population – more than any other generational cohort. Thanks to the region’s reputation as a popular retirement destination, the boomer population will likely only continue to grow in the years to come.

And while the area’s boomer-heavy demographic will eventually place major demands on local healthcare providers, nursing homes and retirement communities, there are many other businesses in northern Michigan that stand to boom as boomers age.

Here, we’re taking a closer look at a few local business sectors …

The Growing Season: How I Built a New Life — and Saved an American Farm

By Chris Wendel

Published by Ballantine Books, 2019; 251 pages, $27

Reviewed by Chris Wendel

Is entrepreneurial success more luck or hard work? I couldn’t help but wonder how Sarah Frey, the founder of the large Frey Farms, would answer such a question. In her memoir “The Growing Season,” Frey made her own luck in taking a family farmstead and building a business that today sells millions of melons and pumpkins in more than 15 states.

Early chapters …

Making It in Northern Michigan: Hayes Manufacturing

By Clark Miller

Not all business marriages work. However, the purchase nearly a year ago of Hayes Manufacturing in Fife Lake by the much larger CK Power in St. Louis seems to be doing just fine.

There are concrete reasons for that. First, this is not a case of one company buying – then stifling – a competitor.

“CK Power is one of our long-time customers,” said Hayes' president Penny Challender, whose company designs and makes power transmission …

What Is Fiduciary Investment Advice and Why Does It Matter?

By Eric Braund

Is all investment advice equal? Seems like an easy question to answer, right? We assume that someone who is providing financial advice knows what they’re talking about.

The problem is that isn’t always the case. In fact, there is no educational requirement for those who provide financial services. So, it falls on investors to know what to look for in a financial advisor.

There is a term used since the 1940s to describe the highest …

'Selling Inventory as Fast as We Can Get It': Dealers say service, sales are setting records

By Todd VanSickle

Easy Money: Online banking shift from shutdown is now 'permanent'

By Rick Haglund

Retirement Stories: Whether dabbling in beer or diving into dog care, these retirees tap new passions

By Ross Boissoneau

New freight plan to guide policy on transportation, bicycles, pedestrian traffic and more

By Craig Manning

'The Need is Not Going To Go Away': Resiliency Fund helps soften pandemic's grip

By Amy Lane

Creative Coast Website: A space for newcomers, new talent and new ventures

A highlight of this summer for me was walking the pedestrian-only section of Front Street. I loved the excitement, energy – and yes, even the visitors – whose most common comment was, “This place is fantastic!”

Our new and returning visitors this summer looked at our region in a whole …

By Warren Call

Take a Stand TC: Enable essential workers to vote

I was raised a Milliken Republican. Most of us in TC supported our hometown governor. I learned from his words that honesty, fairness and representing all people, including those who did not vote for you, was of utmost importance.

Attending Central Grade School, we were taught about voting. As real …

By Katie Horvath

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