Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance

Growing, retaining, and attracting businesses for Genesee County to advance the prosperity of all residents

The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance leads the business development efforts of the Group. This includes marketing Flint & Genesee to attract new companies, supporting established local businesses in their growth, and assisting startups in launching and thriving. In 2024, these efforts translated into billions of dollars in potential investment, millions in new payroll, and additional critical resources for small businesses and job creators.

Attracting major investments

In 2024, the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance responded to 15 Requests for Proposals, putting Genesee County in the running for more than $1.6 billion of potential investment in available sites and land. The team also reached 124 unique companies through retention visits and attraction meetings with current and prospective companies.

A major highlight of the year was NanoGraf Corporation’s decision to expand in Flint, marking a transformative investment in the region. The Chicago-based company announced plans to build a $175-million advanced manufacturing facility at the Flint Commerce Center, establishing one of the world’s largest silicon anode production sites. This milestone will play a critical role in advancing U.S. efforts to onshore the battery supply chain while improving the performance of domestically produced lithium-ion batteries. The project is projected to create 152 new jobs in Genesee County and boost the county’s annual payroll by $6.3 million.

Perhaps one of the year’s biggest projects was the ongoing work to prepare the Advanced Manufacturing District of Genesee County for development. The division secured over $259 million in site readiness dollars via Michigan Strategic Fund approval and legislative transfer, and purchased over 1,000 acres of property.

The site, unlike any other in the state, is well-positioned to be home to an advanced manufacturer that will create thousands of new jobs and pump millions of dollars into the local economy. It represents a major step forward in strengthening Michigan’s manufacturing sector, enhancing Genesee County’s competitiveness, and laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.

Empowering small businesses

In April, the Economic Alliance launched the Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub, one of 27 hubs established through Michigan’s Small Business Support Hub program. The hub – which is also supported by partners Doxa Development, Metro Community Development, and the Michigan Small Business Development Center – takes a holistic, customized approach for each client.

In its first year, the hub established monthly office hours open to the public and three satellite locations at Berston Field House, the Fenton & Linden Chamber of Commerce, and Swartz Creek Municipal Building. The team met with 221 businesses in that time, providing data-informed business counseling, capital access coaching, personal finance mentorship, and connections to resources to grow a business.

Additionally, the hub facilitated various opportunities to access capital by partnering with corporate sponsors. This included the fifth round of the General Motors-funded Moving Flint Forward small business grant program, which awarded $205,000 to 24 small businesses in Flint. It also included the Two-Lane Fast Pitch Competition, sponsored by The State Bank, which awarded $30,000 in prizes to six Flint businesses.

In addition to hosting multiple training and networking events, the hub held the first-ever Immerse Entrepreneurial Summit. The day-long event included motivational talks, multiple breakout sessions, and opportunities to network with local resource providers, bankers, and fellow entrepreneurs.