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August 10, 2023 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 3

CANTON - INKSTER
CANTON - INKSTER

Chamber of Commerce office building to be sold

The decision to sell the Canton to build our own building within a shame to see it end this way. What
Chamber of Commerce building defined target area of Canton i.e. ” about all of the people who spon-
on Hanford Road has met with between Ford and Warren and No one donated money to build this structure so sored the wall, and the brick
some strong opinions on social between Haggerty and roughly paver porch? All of the people
media. Canton Center which at the time that it could be liquidated to pay salaries or rent. who have lifelong supporters. All
One commenter, Mike Gerou, was the heart of Canton's small of that goes away?”
noted that the chamber has exist- business community. The idea In the letter to members,
ed since 1972 to promote local was to get the building paid off in ship has “dwindled to about 300 rent. board members explained that
business. He posted that he and short order through some specific members so the plan is to down- “No one donated money to the decision to sell the building
his brother joined the chamber in fundraising events to create a size. Businesses cannot spend build this structure so that it was “not made lightly” but that
1987 and that many of the pillars permanent home in the commu- more than their revenue and con- could be liquidated to pay they believed the move would
of the community contributed nity with low operating costs tinue to exist. A non-profit organi- salaries or rent. That money “enable us to better allocate our
their time, talent and treasures to going forward. Unfortunately, that zation formed to promote busi- should be put in trust to promote resources and fulfill our mission
the organization. never materialized.” Gerou post- nesses in Canton should emulate businesses and business activities more effectively.” The board
Chamber officials explained ed on Facebook. good business practices. Either in the Canton Community. The assured members that the sale
the proposed sale of the 2,482 He added that while times increase membership (revenues) CCC should be providing fishing and change of office location
square foot building at 45525 have changed and perhaps cham- or decrease expenses (salaries poles for local business not buy- would not alter the mission of the
Hanford Road in an email to bers of commerce are now less and rent),” he posted. ing fish dinners for its employ- organization.
members. “After careful consider- relevant, membership is well Gerou noted that while it may ees,” Gerou posted. “Our commitment to fostering
ation and strategic planning, the below half the peak membership. be necessary and a good business He suggested that members of a vibrant business community
board of directors has made the “I would like to thank all of the decision to sell the building, the the community who agree with remains steadfast and our utmost
decision to put our current office people who spent countless hours sale of the building is a valuable his position contact the members focus,” the letter stated.
building on the market for sale, on the building committee asses that exists “only because of of the chamber board and The letter assured chamber
the email stated. “This move is marching through the snow to the hundreds of hours of volun- express their opinion regarding members that updates would be
driven by our unwavering dedica- explore potential locations, make teer time and thousands of dol- the use of any funding generated forthcoming regarding the pro-
tion to enhance our services and a selection, buy the land and then lars of donations by generous from the sale of the building. posed sale and transition to a new
support for our valued members get the building built as well as all members from year's gone by.” One commenter, identified as location, “ensuring that our serv-
and the broader community we of the generous donors to this He suggested that none of the Bartley J. Patterson, agreed with ices remain accessible and effi-
serve”. project. It was a worthy effort,” funds generated from the sale be Gerou. He posted, “Too many cient.”
Gerou noted in one Facebook his post continued. spent on operational expenses of people worked like dogs and built More information is available
post that “The original plan was He said the chamber member- the chamber, such as salaries and something very unique. It's a at cantonchamber.org.
County Porch Repair project seeks qualified homes

A program of the Wayne gram can complete an online
County Land Bank to enroll ” application at
Inkster residents in a porch https://waynecountylandbank.co
repair program is still under The project cost m/.../05/NEP8-Application.pdf.
way. is not to The application can be emailed
The program is accepting or mailed back to the land bank
applications from residents in exceed $10,000 . as soon as possible. Applications
the area between Michigan will be reviewed on a first come,
Avenue and Annapolis Road and first served basis, officials said.
between Middlebelt Road and Incomplete applications will not
Inkster Road is being funded by be considered. Email the appli-
the county and the Michigan family homes that are in good cation to
State Housing Development standing with property tax and jrusel@waynecountry.com or
Authority. The program will pro- mortgage payments. The project mail to Wayne County Land
vide repairs to the front of quali- cost is not to exceed $10,000 and Bank, 500 Griswold, Suite 2800,
fying homes, including but not the property owner must agree Detroit, Mi 48226.
limited to roofing, steps and rail- to live in the home for five years For more information, contact
ings. The porch repair program following the repairs. Joe Russel at the email address
is for owner-occupied, single- Those interested in the pro- above or phone (313) 967-0031.