Midland Business Alliance

Thank you to everyone who attended our State of the City Address earlier today at the Great Hall. It was wonderful to reflect on all the positive developments in our community over the past year while looking forward to a brighter future. A special thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible: - Three Rivers Corporation - Dow Gardens - Michigan Sugar Company Please tag and share these photos. We look forward to seeing you at our next WakeUp! Midland event on April 11th!

J & C Media: Capturing Midland’s Stories with Heart and Excellence Josh and Chynna Eckman, the husband-and-wife creative team behind J&C Media, are redefining storytelling right here in Midland. Operating out of their studio in Ashman Plaza in Midtown, the Eckmans have brought their passions for videography, photography, and podcasting together to help individuals and businesses share their stories in powerful, authentic ways. Josh's journey into media production began with an appreciation for great content—stories that evoke deep emotions. “I always tell people I want to make something that makes people weep,” he shares. “Creating something so meaningful that it resonates on an emotional level is the goal behind everything we produce.” His commitment to quality storytelling pushes him to continuously raise the bar, never taking shortcuts. Chynna’s passion complements Josh’s perfectly, as she focuses her talents on capturing life’s most cherished moments through photography. “It’s an honor to be invited into people’s milestones—weddings, engagements, graduations, welcoming a new baby,” Chynna explains. “When you look back at a photograph, it’s not just an image—it’s a memory, a story, something timeless and invaluable.” Since becoming parents themselves, Josh and Chynna have gained an even deeper appreciation for the power of photographs to preserve life’s most meaningful experiences. Together, their business also serves as a unique platform for the Midland community. Through their podcasting services, J&C Media gives local voices a way to share stories and ideas widely. Josh describes their podcast studio as "a megaphone" for businesses, nonprofits, and leaders, enabling them to effectively communicate with their audiences. “People have important stories to tell,” he explains. “But navigating the complexities of podcasting or video production can feel overwhelming. We provide the tools and support so our clients can focus solely on their message.” Integrity, character, and a commitment to excellence drive every project they undertake. Josh frequently draws inspiration from a favorite Steve Martin quote: “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” He believes strongly that creating content of undeniable quality naturally attracts attention. “We never want to put out something that’s just ‘good enough.’ Everything we do, we strive to do with excellence,” he explains. Continue to follow the MBA as we highlight more of our amazing members and their stories in Midland!

Come to Midland City Hall today to talk to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about legacy flooding and your ideas for the future. Open to the public from 10 a.m. to noon and from 3 to 6 p.m. today (March 20). Come and go as your schedule allows. Move around the room to different “information stations” and talk to experts from the Corps of Engineers, City and County staff, the MBA Advisory Committee on Infrastructure, and local nature/conservation organizations. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gERkNXxG

This Thursday, March 20, come to a community open house on legacy flooding and the General Investigation (GI) study, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the MBA Advisory Committee on Infrastructure, City of Midland, and County of Midland. There are two public open house sessions: from 10 a.m. to noon and from 3 to 6 p.m. Come and go as your schedule allows. Visit the “information stations” that match your interest. Share your flood stories and your ideas for reducing the frequency and severity of flooding in the future. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gERkNXxG

We are excited to announce our new Economic Development Executive Assistant, a familiar face to many MBA members! Angie Baxter has been our Administrative Assistant for the past five years, providing invaluable support in various capacities, from assisting members and processing payments to handling office needs and daily activities. In her new role, Angie will serve as the Executive Assistant to our Economic Development team, where she will use her exceptional organizational skills to facilitate activities and programs related to economic development here in Midland. The MBA is currently in the process of hiring for the Administrative Assistant position, and we will provide more updates on that soon. Welcome, Angie! The MBA is thrilled to have you in this new role.

WakeUp! Midland – April Edition After spring break, shake off the last of those winter blues and join us for our April WakeUp! Midland on Friday, April 11th, at the Great Hall Banquet & Convention Center. This month, we’re bringing A Splash of Spring, where soft pastels meet bold hues to brighten your morning. Show off your most colorful spring attire and enjoy exceptional programming, meaningful networking, and an engaging talk show. Special Feature: Our talk show will feature a conversation on the Midland Public Schools Facilities Improvement Bond Proposal, which will be on the ballot on May 6th. Learn from community leaders on how this initiative aims to enhance our schools and invest in Midland’s future success. Why Attend? With 300+ attendees regularly, WakeUp! Midland is an unparalleled networking opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, business leaders, and community members. Register now at the link below – we look forward to seeing you there! https://lnkd.in/gxPMjpC6

Ribbon Cutting Celebration! We are excited to announce the grand opening of Tommy's Express Tommy's Express Car Wash at 1303 South Saginaw Road! As a new business in the Midland community, Tommy’s Express looks forward to providing an excellent car wash experience and partnering with local residents. This weekend, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Arc of Midland, so please consider stopping by for a car wash that benefits a great cause. Welcome Tommy’s Express to the community!

At the Midland Business Alliance, we are incredibly proud of our ambassadors and all they do to represent us in the business community. From assisting with ribbon-cutting ceremonies to setting up and supporting our events, their dedication is truly appreciated. ?? We’d like to take a moment to congratulate our outstanding January Ambassador of the Month: ?? Roger Thornton! Roger has been an ambassador for the MBA for over 20 years, dedicating his time and expertise to supporting businesses in our community. As a Marketing Director for his company for the past 24 years, he brings valuable insight and experience to his role. Beyond the MBA, Roger is an active volunteer, giving back to Midland through various programs! Please join us in celebrating Roger’s incredible contributions to the MBA and the Midland community! ???? Congratulations, Roger! And to all our ambassadors, thank you for all you do!

?? Level Up Your Professional Growth! ?? Our Good Work Professional Development series is designed to challenge your thinking, spark meaningful discussions, and help you grow as a professional. Don’t just take our word for it—hear from past attendees: ?? "I loved being asked very thought-provoking questions. They really made you think a little deeper!" ?? "Goal setting should be considered a tool in challenging yourself and your team in reaching a higher potential than you dare to dream. Even if you fail, there are lessons learned along the way!" Join us for our next session, "Negotiating With Yourself," led by Jason Story and hosted by the MBA at the end of March. ?? Bonus: Attend these workshops throughout the year and earn a Professional Development Certification by the end of 2025! It’s not too late to start. ?? Register now: Good Work - Negotiating With Yourself https://lnkd.in/gy8i9MdN ?? Invest in yourself—sign up today!

We love celebrating our new members at WakeUp! Midland! Join us in welcoming our newest members from February: Bay Shores Cleaning Company Rose Construction LLC SNW Data Analysis LLC The Moody Foundation Thank you for joining the Midland Business Alliance! We’re excited to have you as part of our thriving business community.