New Chamber Executive Director
By Mark McAlpine, Contributing Writer
The Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce (ERACC) has welcomed a new Executive Director to lead its continuing efforts to develop and maintain a vibrant and growing community. Chad Honeycutt, a Michigan native and Bowling Green State University graduate, brings over 20 years of experience in business management and community development to the position.
With a busy summer calendar ahead of him, Honeycutt is running hard to acclimate himself to the Elk Rapids area, meet ERACC members and prepare for his first board meeting. According to Honeycutt, his top priority is to work with the board and members to build an organized path for the future. “My top job is to serve our membership,” Honeycutt said. “The Chamber needs to make decisions as to where we are going. We need to orient ourselves for the future. I am interested in developing a long-term plan.”
Honeycutt is not new to collaborating with community leaders to develop those plans. For over five years, he served as Executive Director for the Northalsted Business Alliance, a chamber of commerce in a busy north Chicago community with an impressive array of shops, parks, restaurants, cafes and bars, events, and the waterfront Belmont Harbor. Prior to that experience, Honey-cutt specialized in organization management in Chicago and restaurant and bar redevelopment in the Detroit metro area. His experience matched the needs of the ERACC as advertised for the non-profit leadership position. “The ideal candidate will have the vision to help move the organization forward to ensure the Chamber remains relevant in the changing business landscape and the community of the Elk Rapids region.”
Honeycutt quickly realized that the post-Covid Elk Rapids community landscape might be a difficult environment. His first challenge was trying to find a place to live in the Elk Rapids area at an affordable price. With the help of a local real estate agent, he found a rental home across from the County Day Park. As an outdoor enthusiast, Honeycutt made the walk through the day park after settling in and had his first Elk Rapids surprise. He was not expecting the quality and quantity of the artwork residing in the park. It immediately made a positive welcome to his impression of Elk Rapids.
With more local feedback from residents and chamber members, Honeycutt began his process of diagnosing the community and business needs that require change. It did not take long to hear about the need in Elk Rapids for another breakfast and lunch restaurant and more business and housing development. Honeycutt knows that finding answers for the community needs will not be easy and will take time. He plans to bring an organized and consultative approach in the first couple of months. “I am coming in at a time where it is important to understand what makes sense for Elk Rapids and our regional partners,” Honeycutt said. “We need to find ways to attract more consumers to Elk Rapids and keep them on the streets for an extra hour. We have an incredible amount to go through to make that happen.” He is not afraid of the challenge. “I am starting to prioritize. I am here to do good work.”
With the summer months bringing a busy calendar for the ERACC, Honeycutt will have a fast-paced Elk Rapids learning experience. He brings an excitement for the opportunity and a passion to move forward and not get caught up in the past. As the public face for the ERACC, he welcomes the opportunity to get resident input on behalf of his membership and the community.
The Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce (ERACC) has welcomed a new Executive Director to lead its continuing efforts to develop and maintain a vibrant and growing community. Chad Honeycutt, a Michigan native and Bowling Green State University graduate, brings over 20 years of experience in business management and community development to the position.
With a busy summer calendar ahead of him, Honeycutt is running hard to acclimate himself to the Elk Rapids area, meet ERACC members and prepare for his first board meeting. According to Honeycutt, his top priority is to work with the board and members to build an organized path for the future. “My top job is to serve our membership,” Honeycutt said. “The Chamber needs to make decisions as to where we are going. We need to orient ourselves for the future. I am interested in developing a long-term plan.”
Honeycutt is not new to collaborating with community leaders to develop those plans. For over five years, he served as Executive Director for the Northalsted Business Alliance, a chamber of commerce in a busy north Chicago community with an impressive array of shops, parks, restaurants, cafes and bars, events, and the waterfront Belmont Harbor. Prior to that experience, Honey-cutt specialized in organization management in Chicago and restaurant and bar redevelopment in the Detroit metro area. His experience matched the needs of the ERACC as advertised for the non-profit leadership position. “The ideal candidate will have the vision to help move the organization forward to ensure the Chamber remains relevant in the changing business landscape and the community of the Elk Rapids region.”
Honeycutt quickly realized that the post-Covid Elk Rapids community landscape might be a difficult environment. His first challenge was trying to find a place to live in the Elk Rapids area at an affordable price. With the help of a local real estate agent, he found a rental home across from the County Day Park. As an outdoor enthusiast, Honeycutt made the walk through the day park after settling in and had his first Elk Rapids surprise. He was not expecting the quality and quantity of the artwork residing in the park. It immediately made a positive welcome to his impression of Elk Rapids.
With more local feedback from residents and chamber members, Honeycutt began his process of diagnosing the community and business needs that require change. It did not take long to hear about the need in Elk Rapids for another breakfast and lunch restaurant and more business and housing development. Honeycutt knows that finding answers for the community needs will not be easy and will take time. He plans to bring an organized and consultative approach in the first couple of months. “I am coming in at a time where it is important to understand what makes sense for Elk Rapids and our regional partners,” Honeycutt said. “We need to find ways to attract more consumers to Elk Rapids and keep them on the streets for an extra hour. We have an incredible amount to go through to make that happen.” He is not afraid of the challenge. “I am starting to prioritize. I am here to do good work.”
With the summer months bringing a busy calendar for the ERACC, Honeycutt will have a fast-paced Elk Rapids learning experience. He brings an excitement for the opportunity and a passion to move forward and not get caught up in the past. As the public face for the ERACC, he welcomes the opportunity to get resident input on behalf of his membership and the community.
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