The Sleeping Bear Gateways Council (SBGC) will host its annual meeting as a virtual event on Zoom at 5:00 p.m. August 21. The session will feature updates on the group’s projects as well as comments from leadership of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. All individuals and businesses with interest in the Sleeping Bear area are invited to join the meeting using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84209660456?pwd=dStxNFBHMGgySDVtZm1GcWJSNEFadz09
SBGC is a non-profit organization that works to foster information-sharing and collaboration among communities impacted by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where seasonal tourism supports the local economy, but also raises concerns about such issues as traffic, infrastructure, employee recruitment/housing and environmental protection.
“National Lakeshore visitation has shown an increase over 2022 and continues to challenge our Gateway communities, especially in the growing deficit for BOTH seasonal and permanent housing,” said SBGC President Bill Witler. “The annual meeting is a great opportunity to communicate with our members and the public.”
In the past year, the council has continued to address the area’s shortage of seasonal employee housing; initiated a series of face-to-face meetings among local elected leaders and National Lakeshore administrators; and coordinated an effort to study the potential for a Benzie visitor center.
