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MADISON HEIGHTS/HAZEL PARK — The role of the Madison Heights/Hazel Park Chamber of Commerce is to help its member businesses grow by providing them networking opportunities, skill-building workshops and other support services. Now, the chamber has a new figure at the helm who might be familiar to long-time residents of the two cities.
Linda Williams is the chamber’s new executive director. She spent the last four years in the private sector as vice president of business development at Simiron Road Division, an industrial business based in Madison Heights. Prior to that, she served for nearly 12 years as the economic and community engagement supervisor for the city of Madison Heights, and before that, she worked in a similar job for the city of Hazel Park.
Her past roles as economic coordinator helped her establish relationships with many local businesses that range in size from small mom-and-pop shops to major big-box brands. Williams also has a degree in political science from Oakland University and was recognized in 2016 as one of Oakland County’s “40 Under 40” recipients.
Williams described her vision for the chamber as one that’s more proactive.
“Some of the common feedback I received from local businesses is that they felt disconnected from the chamber and the community. We are looking to change that mindset,” she said in an email. “The highest priority is communicating the value-added services we can bring to our local businesses. We are looking to build the reputation of being a trusted resource for small businesses on many topics such as workforce, supply chain, marketing efforts, quality member referrals, greater networking activities, etc. There will be far greater community engagement events and activities with both communities, as well.”
As one of her first actions, Williams has brought back the Entrepreneur Lounge, or E-Lounge, an informal coffee chat with business owners and aspiring ones, usually featuring a presentation on a topic relevant to growing a business or brand. At press time Nov. 2, the first event was scheduled to take place Nov. 3, at the Biggby Coffee on John R Road in Madison Heights, where the tradition began back when Williams was the city’s economic coordinator. The plan is to rotate between that location and a local coffee shop in Hazel Park (a new business there, Hazel Perk, has already agreed to host). The events are tentatively set for the first Thursday of each month.
In terms of other initiatives, “We will focus heavily on the food or restaurant businesses, as well — it was identified as the highest growth opportunity for (chamber) membership,” Williams said. “Citizens can expect rotating chefs and restaurants to highlight different cuisines and restaurants, similar to the ‘Around the Globe in Madison Heights’ taste festival we have done in the past.
“Introducing these types of events can help bring our businesses and community closer together,” she added. “Inviting members and future members to the food table is an easy way to break the ice, and a far more inviting and comfortable way to start a dialogue. It also serves to educate our business community about the diversity of cultures that make up both communities.”
Madison Heights City Councilman Mark Bliss and Madison Heights Mayor Roslyn Grafstein said in emails they are happy to see Williams working again with the greater business community.
“The Madison Heights/Hazel Park Chamber of Commerce has the potential to make a big impact in our recent push for economic development,” Bliss said. “Over the past few years, we’ve set records with development in our city, and Linda Williams’ appointment can only be a benefit to those efforts. She knows the city inside and out, and will be able to take the chamber beyond meet-ups and social posts into some major creative initiatives that will truly help our local businesses to thrive. I’m very much looking forward to seeing how she will reinvent the chamber by leveraging her depth of knowledge of Madison Heights, and her strong desire to innovate and try new things.”
Grafstein agreed.
“Linda Williams was a force in the city for a decade. During her time with us, she was involved with many initiatives in the city,” the mayor said, recounting how Williams spearheaded the “Spirit of Madison Heights” art contest, assisted in the Oakland County Manufacturing Diversification Summit aimed at helping Michigan’s auto industry diversify into military robotics, and more.
Grafstein was particularly impressed with the E-Lounge.
“With so many people working from home and setting up side businesses, the E-Lounge is a great opportunity for our residents who want to look at expanding their home-based businesses, or who have a business idea but aren’t sure what their next step should be,” Grafstein said. “As we continue to come back from the pandemic, we once again face uncertain economic times, so it is crucial for all stakeholders to partner and work together. With her long history with the businesses in both Madison Heights and Hazel Park, Linda has this necessary experience, so this new role is a natural fit for both her and us.”
For more information on the Madison Heights/Hazel Park Chamber of Commerce, visit MHHPChamber.com, or follow the chamber on Facebook at facebook.com/MHHPChamber.
