Resilience & Relief: How Michigan's Hospitality Industry Banded Together When Ice Blocked Business
In Northern Michigan, hospitality is a four-season engine of the economy. Humming
year-round with activity, the ski slopes and snow mobile trails draw adventurers in the snow-covered seasons, and the fall colors of the forest are an autumnal attraction, but the lakes, beaches, dunes, and charming downtowns of “up north” are a quintessential part of the Michigan summer experience, and for most hospitality businesses, summer is when rooms book out and sales soar.
For a few months in the spring, however, restaurants and hotels in both peninsulas have space to prepare for that all-important summer season. This year, those preparations were brought to an abrupt halt. The ice storm that struck northern Michigan in the spring of 2025 was historic in size, scale and severity. More than 90,000 homes and businesses in 12 counties were left without power, some for weeks on end. Trees snapped. Roads and driveways were blocked. State parks shut down. Restaurants and hotels shuttered. Food spoiled. Paychecks stopped. For many hospitality
workers, the loss of income was immediate and devastating, as well as the loss of power amid bone-chilling temperatures. But in the storm’s wake came something powerful: compassion and action from the very industry that took the hit.
year-round with activity, the ski slopes and snow mobile trails draw adventurers in the snow-covered seasons, and the fall colors of the forest are an autumnal attraction, but the lakes, beaches, dunes, and charming downtowns of “up north” are a quintessential part of the Michigan summer experience, and for most hospitality businesses, summer is when rooms book out and sales soar.
For a few months in the spring, however, restaurants and hotels in both peninsulas have space to prepare for that all-important summer season. This year, those preparations were brought to an abrupt halt. The ice storm that struck northern Michigan in the spring of 2025 was historic in size, scale and severity. More than 90,000 homes and businesses in 12 counties were left without power, some for weeks on end. Trees snapped. Roads and driveways were blocked. State parks shut down. Restaurants and hotels shuttered. Food spoiled. Paychecks stopped. For many hospitality
workers, the loss of income was immediate and devastating, as well as the loss of power amid bone-chilling temperatures. But in the storm’s wake came something powerful: compassion and action from the very industry that took the hit.
In times like these, you realize hospitality isn't just what we do. It's who we are.
- Barry Owens, General Manager of the Treetops Resort
A Lifeline in a Time of Need
Beth Deck was only a few months into a new life when the ice storm disrupted her plans. Deck had recently quit her corporate job, relocated her family to northern Michigan, and was working to turn her culinary ambitions into reality.
"When we moved to Petosky so I could pursue my dream of becoming a chef, I never imagined our first year would bring a devastating ice storm, a week without power and no income," said Deck, a matre d' at Brandy's Harbortown in Bay Harbor.
While the restaurant was shut down, Deck found relief with an essential grant from the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund, which she says allowed her to keep the lights on - and her career moving in the right direction.
"The relief fund gave us breathing room when things felt impossible, and it allowed me to keep going in my new career path. I'm so grateful," Deck remembers.
But Deck was by no means the only hospitality worker in northern Michigan facing extreme uncertainty - and she wasn't the only one who found relief thanks to the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund, an emergency grant program founded specifically to support the people in Michigan's hotels and restaurants in times of need.
Administered by the Michigan Hospitality Foundation (MHF), the Fund provided relief to hundreds of workers in northern Michigan in the weeks following the ice storm. With support from generous partners, the MHF distributed more than $95,000 in direct aid to hospitality workers., including $75,000 in emergency relief checks and $15,000 in Meijer gift cards thanks to donations from the Allen Foundation. Every applicant who was impacted by the storm received a $500 check from the fund along with a $100 Meijer gift card.
Beth Deck was only a few months into a new life when the ice storm disrupted her plans. Deck had recently quit her corporate job, relocated her family to northern Michigan, and was working to turn her culinary ambitions into reality.
"When we moved to Petosky so I could pursue my dream of becoming a chef, I never imagined our first year would bring a devastating ice storm, a week without power and no income," said Deck, a matre d' at Brandy's Harbortown in Bay Harbor.
While the restaurant was shut down, Deck found relief with an essential grant from the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund, which she says allowed her to keep the lights on - and her career moving in the right direction.
"The relief fund gave us breathing room when things felt impossible, and it allowed me to keep going in my new career path. I'm so grateful," Deck remembers.
But Deck was by no means the only hospitality worker in northern Michigan facing extreme uncertainty - and she wasn't the only one who found relief thanks to the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund, an emergency grant program founded specifically to support the people in Michigan's hotels and restaurants in times of need.
Administered by the Michigan Hospitality Foundation (MHF), the Fund provided relief to hundreds of workers in northern Michigan in the weeks following the ice storm. With support from generous partners, the MHF distributed more than $95,000 in direct aid to hospitality workers., including $75,000 in emergency relief checks and $15,000 in Meijer gift cards thanks to donations from the Allen Foundation. Every applicant who was impacted by the storm received a $500 check from the fund along with a $100 Meijer gift card.
The hospitality industry is the backbone of Michigan's economy, and its people are the heart of our communities.
- Amanda Smith, Executive Director of the Michigan Hospitality Foundation
More Than Money
In Gaylord, one up-north resort opened its doors, seeing that community members needed immediate support. For more than a month after the storm, Treetops Resort stepped up to invite community members to a safe place to sleep, where they could enjoy a hot shower or meal or whatever else they needed, residents and Treetops staff alike.
Meanwhile, as the leaders of the MHF kept reading the storm relief applications, which just kept coming, they realized that more than funds was needed.
"We heard from many individuals who shared that they lost all of their freezer contents, food items, they heavily relied on," said Amanda Smith, Executive Director of Michigan Hospitality Foundation. "And that's where Buckhead Meats and Sysco of Michigan came in."
On May 12, the MHF and local volunteers parked a semi-truck full of supplies in the parking lot of Treetops Resort, where hospitality members could pick up replacements to spoiled food inventory. With food boxes stocked with premium meats and frozen goods donated by Buckhead Meats and Sysco of Michigan, the food giveaway became a symbol of hospitality at its finest and a tangible representation of unity.
Treetops General Manager Barry Owens recalled the overwhelming gratitude of employees and community members who pulled up to receive boxes of essentials during the resort's darkest days.
"When the truck arrived to distribute food, it was one of the most rewarding moments I've ever witnessed," said Owens. "Staff members and neighbors were overwhelmed with gratitude. Some couldn't believe it was really happening. The Relief Fund didn't just fill pantries. It strengthened bonds, built loyalty and reminded all of us why being part of this industry matters so much."
And what was so incredible was the care these individuals had for other members of thier community, not just in survival mode for themselves.
Jim Woolsey, Director of Business Specialist at Sysco Michigan, was amazed by the generosity he witnessed at the food giveaway.
"The service industry is like a family," he said after the giveaway. "When one person is hurting, everyone steps up. That's what we saw when we donated food boxes. People weren't just grabbing boxes for themselves They were asking to bring extras for coworkers. That kind of community is what makes this industry so special."
In Gaylord, one up-north resort opened its doors, seeing that community members needed immediate support. For more than a month after the storm, Treetops Resort stepped up to invite community members to a safe place to sleep, where they could enjoy a hot shower or meal or whatever else they needed, residents and Treetops staff alike.
Meanwhile, as the leaders of the MHF kept reading the storm relief applications, which just kept coming, they realized that more than funds was needed.
"We heard from many individuals who shared that they lost all of their freezer contents, food items, they heavily relied on," said Amanda Smith, Executive Director of Michigan Hospitality Foundation. "And that's where Buckhead Meats and Sysco of Michigan came in."
On May 12, the MHF and local volunteers parked a semi-truck full of supplies in the parking lot of Treetops Resort, where hospitality members could pick up replacements to spoiled food inventory. With food boxes stocked with premium meats and frozen goods donated by Buckhead Meats and Sysco of Michigan, the food giveaway became a symbol of hospitality at its finest and a tangible representation of unity.
Treetops General Manager Barry Owens recalled the overwhelming gratitude of employees and community members who pulled up to receive boxes of essentials during the resort's darkest days.
"When the truck arrived to distribute food, it was one of the most rewarding moments I've ever witnessed," said Owens. "Staff members and neighbors were overwhelmed with gratitude. Some couldn't believe it was really happening. The Relief Fund didn't just fill pantries. It strengthened bonds, built loyalty and reminded all of us why being part of this industry matters so much."
And what was so incredible was the care these individuals had for other members of thier community, not just in survival mode for themselves.
Jim Woolsey, Director of Business Specialist at Sysco Michigan, was amazed by the generosity he witnessed at the food giveaway.
"The service industry is like a family," he said after the giveaway. "When one person is hurting, everyone steps up. That's what we saw when we donated food boxes. People weren't just grabbing boxes for themselves They were asking to bring extras for coworkers. That kind of community is what makes this industry so special."
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A Safety Net for Michigan's Hospitality Community
Before it provided ice storm relief, the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund was created to aid workers who needed help during another crisis that left restaurants closed and hotels struggling. The Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund was first launched at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Michigan Hospitality Foundation, distributing emergency funds to displaced hospitality workers. Since then, it’s become a permanent part of Michigan’s hospitality safety net responding not only to health crises but also to injuries, natural disasters and personal hardships, offering up to $1,500 in support for essential needs like rent, groceries and emergency expenses.
“When restaurants closed in March of 2020, thousands of employees instantly lost their livelihoods, and we knew we had to step in,” said Jeff Neely, CEO of Inspired Concepts Management LLC and the former Chair of the Michigan Hospitality Foundation when the Fund was born. “The Fund was created to provide immediate help during that crisis, and it has since grown into a permanent safety net for hospitality workers across Michigan.”
For Neely, the mission is deeply personal. He recalls an employee whose husband was tragically killed in a car accident, leaving her to raise two children alone. “One call to the Foundation, and we moved quickly to get her the support she needed,” Neely shared. “The system works with integrity. There are checks and balances in place, but at the end of the day, it’s about people helping people in their time of need. I’ve been in this industry for more than 45 years, and I can tell you: this fund is one of the most important things we’ve ever done.”
Contributions to the Fund have been largely industry-driven. Powered by private donations, corporate sponsors and a network of industry employers, the Fund has helped employees weather challenges such as catastrophic accidents, housing issues and more.
“For recipients of the fund, the relief offers more than financial aid,” said Smith. “It brings peace of mind, dignity and the reassurance that the hospitality community stands with them in their time of need.”
Before it provided ice storm relief, the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund was created to aid workers who needed help during another crisis that left restaurants closed and hotels struggling. The Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund was first launched at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Michigan Hospitality Foundation, distributing emergency funds to displaced hospitality workers. Since then, it’s become a permanent part of Michigan’s hospitality safety net responding not only to health crises but also to injuries, natural disasters and personal hardships, offering up to $1,500 in support for essential needs like rent, groceries and emergency expenses.
“When restaurants closed in March of 2020, thousands of employees instantly lost their livelihoods, and we knew we had to step in,” said Jeff Neely, CEO of Inspired Concepts Management LLC and the former Chair of the Michigan Hospitality Foundation when the Fund was born. “The Fund was created to provide immediate help during that crisis, and it has since grown into a permanent safety net for hospitality workers across Michigan.”
For Neely, the mission is deeply personal. He recalls an employee whose husband was tragically killed in a car accident, leaving her to raise two children alone. “One call to the Foundation, and we moved quickly to get her the support she needed,” Neely shared. “The system works with integrity. There are checks and balances in place, but at the end of the day, it’s about people helping people in their time of need. I’ve been in this industry for more than 45 years, and I can tell you: this fund is one of the most important things we’ve ever done.”
Contributions to the Fund have been largely industry-driven. Powered by private donations, corporate sponsors and a network of industry employers, the Fund has helped employees weather challenges such as catastrophic accidents, housing issues and more.
“For recipients of the fund, the relief offers more than financial aid,” said Smith. “It brings peace of mind, dignity and the reassurance that the hospitality community stands with them in their time of need.”
I've been in this industry for more than 45 years, and I can tell you: this Fund is one of the most important things we've ever done.
- Jeff Neely, Former Chairman of the Michigan Hospitality Foundation
The Spirit of Hospitality
This spring, northern Michigan businesses faced an uphill climb to open for the summer season. Crews worked around the clock to get power lines back up and roads cleared in enough time to offer travelers the memorable up-north experience that defines summer. And, in a stunning example of tenacity, when summer arrived with its tourists and out-of-town visitors, Michigan hotels and restaurants were ready for them.
Despite the hardships of the past winter, northern Michigan tourism thrived this summer and the season closed on a high note, setting the stage for an autumn filled with vibrant color, relaxation and renewed energy for both travelers and the hospitality professionals who welcome them. At its core, the aftermath of the 2025 ice storm was a story not just of aid, but of the industry’s resilience. Of community members helping one another without hesitation. Of leaders coming together in a shared mission. Of hotels turning into local hubs. Of restaurants passing along gift cards. And a shared understanding that the work of hospitality isn’t over when the doors close.
“The hospitality industry is the backbone of Michigan’s economy, and its people are the heart of our communities,” said Smith.
As northern Michigan winds down from another busy tourism season, the workers who power the hotels, restaurants and resorts do so with a little more security and a lot more community thanks to the spirit of relief and the generosity of the industry’s own. Yet the ice storm of 2025 is an experience that northern Michigan hospitality leaders won’t forget anytime soon, both for the awful uncertainties and the positive reasons.
“In my nearly 40 years in hospitality, I’ve never experienced anything like it,” said Owens. “The ice storm shut us down. No power, no phones, no way to reach people, but it also brought out the best in our community. Neighbors checked on each other, churches opened their doors, and we
at Treetops became a place where families could come to stay and warm up and simply feel safe. In times like these, you realize hospitality isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are.”
This spring, northern Michigan businesses faced an uphill climb to open for the summer season. Crews worked around the clock to get power lines back up and roads cleared in enough time to offer travelers the memorable up-north experience that defines summer. And, in a stunning example of tenacity, when summer arrived with its tourists and out-of-town visitors, Michigan hotels and restaurants were ready for them.
Despite the hardships of the past winter, northern Michigan tourism thrived this summer and the season closed on a high note, setting the stage for an autumn filled with vibrant color, relaxation and renewed energy for both travelers and the hospitality professionals who welcome them. At its core, the aftermath of the 2025 ice storm was a story not just of aid, but of the industry’s resilience. Of community members helping one another without hesitation. Of leaders coming together in a shared mission. Of hotels turning into local hubs. Of restaurants passing along gift cards. And a shared understanding that the work of hospitality isn’t over when the doors close.
“The hospitality industry is the backbone of Michigan’s economy, and its people are the heart of our communities,” said Smith.
As northern Michigan winds down from another busy tourism season, the workers who power the hotels, restaurants and resorts do so with a little more security and a lot more community thanks to the spirit of relief and the generosity of the industry’s own. Yet the ice storm of 2025 is an experience that northern Michigan hospitality leaders won’t forget anytime soon, both for the awful uncertainties and the positive reasons.
“In my nearly 40 years in hospitality, I’ve never experienced anything like it,” said Owens. “The ice storm shut us down. No power, no phones, no way to reach people, but it also brought out the best in our community. Neighbors checked on each other, churches opened their doors, and we
at Treetops became a place where families could come to stay and warm up and simply feel safe. In times like these, you realize hospitality isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are.”
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association is proud to stand with the hospitality community in times of need by supporting the Michigan
Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund. The Fund continues to grow since its inception in 2020, and the MHF is grateful for the support from
all donors including the Wisne Foundation, whose generous annual contributions have been the fund’s largest source of support. If you’re inspired by the stories of recovery and resilience, consider donating to the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund. Your contribution helps keep the heart of Michigan’s hospitality industry beating strong no matter what storm comes next.
The MHF is a 501(c)3.
Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund. The Fund continues to grow since its inception in 2020, and the MHF is grateful for the support from
all donors including the Wisne Foundation, whose generous annual contributions have been the fund’s largest source of support. If you’re inspired by the stories of recovery and resilience, consider donating to the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund. Your contribution helps keep the heart of Michigan’s hospitality industry beating strong no matter what storm comes next.
The MHF is a 501(c)3.
