Monthly Archives: December 2024

On December 19th at their monthly board meeting, The MLK-CIA announced the latest winners of the Entrepreneurial and Real Estate Fund Grant. This group of recipients represents the third tranche of winners selected by the MLK-CIA.  The total amount awarded in this tranche is $384,993. Angel of Mine Homecare Chelsea Cakes DUCTZ Hammond Hardware New Smiles New Beginnings Pryor’s BBQ S & G Mini Mart Strawberry’s Play Den The MLK Corridor Entrepreneurial & Real Estate Fund is a grant program to support property and business owners within the MLK Corridor Improvement Authority’s target area. This fund addresses the critical need for equitable access to capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs and will promote business development along the MLK Corridor. Funds can be used for real estate enhancements, business coaching, accounting, marketing, product development, and more.

County National Bank Announces Branch Leadership Updates Joseph R. Williams, President and CEO of County National Bank, is pleased to announce that Amanda Carpenter has rejoined CNB as Branch Officer for the main office in Hillsdale, and Rachel Garrett has been promoted to Branch Officer for our Horton Road office in Jackson. Amanda Carpenter has 16 years of experience in banking and holds an associate’s degree in Office Administration from International Business College. Since joining CNB in 2015, Amanda has taken on multiple roles, including training front-line associates and serving as a branch manager, all while delivering outstanding client service. Amanda is active in the community, serving as a Board Member for the Hillsdale Business Association and a volunteer for Junior Achievement. Rachel Garrett joined CNB in November 2023 as Branch Manager of our Horton Road office in Jackson. Rachel has over 21 years in financial services and has held a range of positions within the industry, such as lending specialist manager, relationship banker, certified lender, assistant branch manager, and mortgage processor. Rachel holds an MBA from Spring Arbor University and is a graduate of the Jackson County Jackson Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Jackson program. Rachel Emery, VP – Retail…

New Southern Michigan Bank & Trust branch office on the corner of Weatherwax and Horton.  Courtesy photo. (December 20, 2024 10:56 AM ET) Southern Michigan Bank & Trust  today announced the opening of its newest full-service branch at 3970 Weatherwax Drive in Jackson. The new branch is designed to offer a modern banking experience with convenient features, including teller pods operated by Universal Bankers, a self-service coin machine, safe deposit boxes, and a three-lane drive-thru, including a lane equipped with a Personal Teller Machine (PTM). The PTM allows customers to conduct transactions and interact with a live teller until 7:00 PM on weekdays and serves as a 24/7 ATM. Regular Operating Hours: Lobby & Drive-Thru Hours Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PTM Hours Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM ATM Access: 24/7 Sara Walz, Jackson Branch Manager, will oversee both Jackson branch locations: Jackson Summit and Jackson Downtown. Additionally, Craig Talbert, Vice President, Mortgage Loan Officer, will maintain an office at the new branch to assist with all mortgage lending needs. “As soon as we began expanding into…

(December 20, 2024 10:32 AM ET) Residents traveling for the holidays can have extra peace of mind about leaving their house behind by participating in the Jackson Police Department’s Vacation Watch Program. By submitting a form through the City website, residents inform the department about when they will be away so patrol officers keep an extra eye on their home. Since 2014, Jackson police have accepted hundreds of watch requests from residents. The Vacation Watch Request Form has residents submit basic details about their home and other important information they want officers to know. After verifying the submission with the homeowner, patrol officers will periodically check on the house for signs of a problem. The information remains confidential and can only be accessed by the police department. Residents may also print the form from the City website for a mail or drop-off submission. Elmer Hitt, Director of Police and Fire Services, says his department offers this program year-round but it’s important not to overlook home security during the holidays. “Our officers are on duty 24/7 and these checks are an important part of their daily patrols,” Hitt said. “We hope this program will be a simple thing we can do…