West Side

Marc and Laura Owczarzak are remodeling the former Hooters on Bay City's West Side into H2O's Waterside Grill. When it opens in 2023, it will be the Owczarzak family's fourth Bay County business. (Photo courtesy of H2O's Waterside Grill)

Difficult to pronounce but easy to recognize, the Owczarzak name means business in Bay County

For two generations, the Owczarzak family has been a part of the Bay County business community. Ambrose Sr. and Marie Owczarzak owned one bar. Today, their sons own three local eateries with a fourth restaurant to open in 2023.  

Some of the Chamber staff at the 2022 Golf Outing. From left, back row are Jodi LaMont, Magen Samyn, Marlana Cork, and Breanna Theisen. From left, front row, are Renee Schwartz and Leann Harrison.
Q&A with Magen Samyn, President & CEO of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

The Great Lakes Bay Region is in a time of leadership transition. This article is the seventh in an occasional series of Q&A articles with some of the new leaders in the area. 

One service the Arc of Bay County provides is serving as a Representative Payee for Social Security. Under that program, an Arc representative manages a person's Social Security income to pay for rent and other essentials.
Q&A with Annette Jeske, Executive Director of the Arc of Bay County

The Great Lakes Bay Region is in a time of leadership transition. This article is the fifth in an occasional series of Q&A articles with some of the new leaders in the area. 

Michigan Sugar Company President and CEO Neil Juhnke addresses grower-owners from the cooperative's East District during a Tool Shed meeting held in April 2023 at Maple Grove Acres in Ruth. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Sugar)
Michelle Judd joins MSBDC and Bay Future to help Bay County small businesses navigate challenges

New consulting position created exclusively for Bay County residents who want to start, grow or improve their businesses.  

The shop is located on Walnut Street near Bay City's Midland Street entertainment district.
Besom Apothecary offers spiritual healing as well as herbal teas and handmade items

The shop opened up on Bay City’s West Side in mid-September. For now, it’s open mostly nights and weekends but the goal is to expand hours.  

Less than a month after creating 200 bags of personal care items for teens in foster care, the high school students behind Project In The Stars are making plans for growing the project.
Project In the Stars, which helps Bay County teens in foster care, gets an assist from Just for Kids

Both Project In the Stars and Just for Kids Charitable Organization strive to meet the needs of youth throughout the community, so it may come as no surprise that they teamed up to provide personal items for kids in foster care.  

Bay City hopes that switching to wheeled bins will encourage more people to recycle household goods. The new bins debut in January.
Bay City hopes to roll up its recycling numbers in 2023 with new wheeled carts

If you live inside Bay City limits, changes are coming to the curbside recycling program. The city is distributing larger, wheeled bins and adjusting the pick-up schedule.

Give Local Bay 2025 raised more than $200,000 for 62 local funds supporting nonprofits.
More than 20 nonprofit agencies received ARPA funds through Bay County and the Community Foundation

American Rescue Plan funds are helping 22 local nonprofits recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restoration work on the Frank N. Anderson Nature Trail removed tree branches that had pushed bumps into the paved pathway.
Tour highlights success stories along the Saginaw River for a statewide audience

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board met in Bay City this week, so local officials took the opportunity to showcase recreation opportunities along the Saginaw River.

John Gillman, at left, and Operations Manager Bill Coppens, right, work together to make ATS Printing a preferred employer.
Monitor Township printer relies on a unique workforce to build its business

A Monitor Township custom printing business relies on non-traditional sources to recruit its workforce. Then, it uses creative methods to retain talented people.  

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