January 2024 Issue

What to Watch: What will make headlines in 2024

By Art Bukowski and Craig Manning

It’s January and that means it’s time for the TCBN’s list of happenings in and around Traverse City as we head into the New Year. Here are previews of the people, products, places, and policies that business owners and influentials should be watching in 2024, ranging from the massive Grandview Parkway reconstruction to the plan to develop the region into a freshwater research epicenter to pending elections, and much more.

Grandview Parkway

Traverse City is no stranger to gridlock. In the past five years alone, summer traffic patterns in and around town have been disrupted by downtown bridge replacements, a complete …

The STEM Surge: How leaders are addressing education gaps

By Kierstin Gunsberg

TCAPS students will have more hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education opportunities at the end of 2024 – that’s when their brand-new Manufacturing and Innovation Centers are slated for completion on the West Senior High and Central High campuses. The facilities are a response to the growing need for not only STEM-skilled students but a STEM-skilled workforce.

Each 7,000 square-foot building will offer students the space to expand their knowledge in areas like …

Strategizing Success: The power of planning and KPIs in northern Michigan's business landscape

By Jody Lundquist Trietch

With nearly 900,000 small businesses in Michigan employing nearly half of its workforce, their success is critical to growing our local communities.

During the pandemic, small business growth surged in our state. These businesses, like all new businesses, are subject to the same forces that all small businesses face – half of them will fail in the first five years. With this sobering knowledge, why then, if businesses with a formal business plan are 2X …

High Tech: Local tech leaders talk artificial intelligence, remote work and more

By Art Bukowski

Technology is often at the center of the news cycle, with plenty of attention paid to devices, services or innovations that are destined to change our lives for the better.

But what if it’s also the thing that’s going to end humanity as we know it?

Such is the current debate with artificial intelligence, arguably the hottest tech talking point in recent months. And while the jury’s still out on the existential threat (or lack …

High-Speed Internet Coming: State grants $25.6 million in broadband internet funding for five-county region

By Craig Manning

Traverse City Business Legends Hall of Fame: Meet the new inductees

By Art Bukowski

Hearts and Soles: Gauthier's Shoes and Repair ties past with present

By Art Bukowski

Where Banks Fear to Tread: CDFIs rush in to finance startups and small businesses

By Rick Haglund

Forward Facing: AI and its impact on the future of HR

By Jennifer Ewing

From the Desk Of: Sam Brickman, founder and owner of Bubbie's Bagels

By Art Bukowski

Caution Ahead: Tips for a digitally secure new year

By Eric Anderson

Book Review: Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things

By Chris Wendel

Cherry on Top: TVC sets new passenger record in 2023, continues expansion plans

By Luke Haase

GT Machine manufacturers precision-machined components for various industries

By Clark Miller

Newsmakers

BANKING & FINANCE

Deann Jennings, operations manager for Prout Financial Design in Traverse City, recently passed her life & health insurance exam.

HEALTH CARE

Abigail Bobbitt has joined Munson Healthcare Great Lakes Plastic Surgery & Skin Care in Traverse City as a physician assistant. She brings a background in plastic …

By Lynn Geiger

Briefly

By Lynn Geiger

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