MUSKEGON COUNTY -- Dozens of local manufacturing companies will be using a new logo on their product packages and promotional brochures with the message "Quality Made in West Michigan."
The Muskegon Chamber is leading the "Quality Made in West Michigan" campaign, making the logo available to area manufacturers. They hope hundreds will join the promotional campaign.
Cindy Larsen, president of the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, said the logo will spread the word about West Michigan's proud manufacturing heritage.
"If just 100 West Michigan manufacturers participate in this program, for virtually no cost, it will send a strong message around the world about the quality of manufacturing here," Larsen said.
Larsen said her organization is making the logo available to other West Michigan chambers of commerce. She said the Grand Haven, Holland and White Lake chambers will make the logo available to manufacturers in their areas.
Janessa Stroud, vice president of government affairs for the Muskegon chamber, said she is excited about the program.
"It will send a unified message out on products made in West Michigan to bring attention to this side of the state and the quality products that are being made here," she said.
Harbor Front Interiors of Muskegon is one of the first companies to use the logo.
"We send our products all over the United States," said J.R. Duncan, the company's president. "Why not include a message about West Michigan and send it to all our customers?"
The Muskegon chamber is making the logo available on its Web site -- muskegon.org. The logo is free and can be sent to companies in JPEG format, Stroud said.
"The companies then find the most cost-effective ways to incorporate the logo into their packaging, invoices, labels or brochures," Stroud said.
