It’s a two-fold event and should be beneficial to businesses of all sizes.

First, Peter Secchia, Chairman Emeritus of Universal Forest Products Inc., will present the keynote address.

Universal Forest Products is a $2.7 billion leading manufacturer and distributor of wood and wood-composite products with more than 10,000 employees who work at 100 facilities cross the Unites States, Canada and Mexico.

Mr. Secchia was honored in 1994 as Michigan’s Master Entrepreneur of the Year and recognized as the state’s outstanding self-made businessman.  In 1995, the Economic Club of West Michigan named him “Businessman of the Year.”

Following Secchia’s presentation, we will move into a panel discussion concerning the sunset on 12/31/07 and subsequent replacement for the Single Business Tax.

There has been relief in the business community the complicated SBT is going away, but trepidation about what tax will take its place.  The SBT produces $1.8 billion of revenue for the state.

Our panel will discuss proposed replacement plans by the legislature and special interest groups and potential impact on the business community.

It will be moderated by Michael Chevy Castranova, editor at Western Michigan Business Review.  Esteemed panel members include: Senator Cameron Brown; Representative Rick Shaffer: George Erickcek, Senior Economist at the W.E. Upjohn Institute; Charles Hadden, Vice President of the Michigan Manufacturer’s Association; and Robert McDonough, Pfizer executive and Vice Chair of the Board of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

We are still finalizing details with more information to come.  However, if you have an interest in reserving you spot early, please e-mail me at annisc@stjosephcountymi.org