Courtesy photo Chamber Board Member Dave Fix of Northern Insurance presents a check to Vickie Micheau, executive director of the Delta Chamber representing the dividend payments totaling $38,549.55 which are being distributed to the over 60 Chamber members participating in the Chambers Accident Fund Group Program. Also pictured are Associate Director Sheila Krueger and EDA Director and Chamber Board Member Ed Legault.

ESCANABA –“It pays to belong” is a catchy phrase that can be used to describe the advantage of membership in the Delta County Chamber of Commerce. This month, quite a few fortunate Chamber members discovered that not only Chamber membership pays, but so does workplace safety.

More than 60 member businesses participating in the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America’s workers compensation program, earned a 7% dividend, for a total of $38,549.55 – surely a positive boost to their bottom line.

This member benefit, a share in the dividends based on safe work practices of the group, is in addition to competitive rates on an otherwise expensive but necessary coverage. In many instances, the dividend more than covered the annual Chamber dues investment. The Accident Fund of America also gives a 5% discount on workers compensation premiums to clients who belong to the Chamber of Commerce.

Initiated by the Delta County Chamber, this member benefit was created because of a cooperative effort of 17 U.P. Chambers who established an insurance “group” in August 2000. Through this groups pooling power, small to mid-size businesses can have access to dividends that they would not have otherwise obtained on their own. Chamber member insurance agencies promoting both the program and workplace safety include Garceau Insurance, Melton-McFadden Insurance, Northern Insurance and Taylor, Lord & Hughes Insurance.

Encouraging safety in the workplace while offering a Chamber member-only plan that can provide real money back is definitely a win-win situation. The Accident Fund Workers Compensation Program is one of many innovative strategies we have put in place to help our members more effectively control their costs.

If you are interested in learning more about this or any of the many other benefits offered by the Chamber, please contact us at 906-786-2192. We are as committed as you are to improving profitability and success of our business community on the waterfront.

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Sheila Krueger is associate director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce