So much of the Flint & Genesee Group’s focus is on the community we aim to grow. But to grow, we also need to find ways to connect with new audiences to bring new visitors, talent, and investment. In doing so, we can strengthen the region while better ensuring its sustained prosperity.
In 2023, the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance responded to 25 requests for proposals from businesses looking to make location decisions. Their work put Genesee County in the running for more than $18.5 billion of potential investment in available sites and land. But it was through the combination of meeting with both local and prospective companies – 160 in total – that the division closed five major business development projects by year’s end.
Those projects, which will result in $244.4 million of private investment and the creation of 458 new jobs for Genesee County, include:
Flexible Automation, which has been doing innovative work in robotics and automation for over 35 years. In 2023, the Burton-based company expanded its production floor for automation integration in Atlas Township.
Miller Industries, a family-owned manufacturer that specializes in custom steel fabrication. It opted to expand its Fenton Township headquarters over new, competing sites in Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Goyette Mechanical. The long-time Flint company has experienced significant growth in its out-of-state operations and, as a result, expanded its warehouse, office, and sheet metal fabrication operations in Flint.
Plastic Omnium. The fuel-cell vehicle supplier will establish what is projected to be the country’s largest hydrogen storage manufacturing plant in Grand Blanc Township.
J.P. O’Sullivan Distributing, which broke ground on a 200,000-square-foot headquarters in Grand Blanc Township. The new facility will allow the company to meet increased demand and introduce more brands to its offering.
The division also continued to support the redevelopment of the former Buick City site. In fact, the Economic Alliance was recognized alongside the City of Flint for their collaborative work in marketing the property to developer Ashley Capital during the 2023 RACER’s Edge Awards. Today, construction is underway for Phase 1 of the Flint Commerce Center, which will ultimately provide 3.5 million-square-feet of state-of-the-art light industrial space.
Additionally, as advanced manufacturers are seeking large-scale sites with strong infrastructure, the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance has secured options on more than 1,000 acres in Mundy Township. Much of 2023 was spent marketing this parcel of land – the Advanced Manufacturing District of Genesee County – to companies with transformational projects that would bring thousands of good-paying jobs to Flint & Genesee.
Explore Flint & Genesee, Genesee County’s convention and visitors bureau, worked diligently to bring new events and visitors to the region in 2023. In addition to partnering with staple events like The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren, Back to the Bricks, Gus Macker 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, HAP Crim Festival of Races, and the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic, the team secured and supported multiple new events for the region. These included, for example, the Mott Lake Regatta, Wings Over Flint Airshow, Region 3 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and the Midwest Open Geocaching Adventure competition. Group business secured by Explore Flint & Genesee resulted in an estimated economic impact of $12 million.
Meanwhile, as Explore Flint & Genesee worked to boost travel to the region, the division intentionally looked for ways to make the visitor experience more inclusive for all. The Explore team assessed existing barriers, researched best practices around accessibility, and sought out opportunities to host new audiences, including the National Federation for the Blind.
To help our region put its best foot forward for new and returning visitors alike, the Explore team also continued to invest in the Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) program, which teaches frontline employees and volunteers how to turn every visitor encounter into a positive experience. This included implementing a blue star designation for the CTA program, awarded to any organization in Genesee County with 50% or more certified staff. The designation, noted in the region’s visitor guide and on the Explore Flint & Genesee website with a simple blue star, is acknowledged by the national CTA program and sets a new best practice for other destinations.
The Flint & Genesee Group also made great efforts to attract and retain a skilled and diverse workforce. This included launching Make Your Move in early 2023. The new talent attraction program markets our region to prospective residents, helping them see how they can build a meaningful career, community, and life in Genesee County, while also connecting them with local employers and opportunities.
And it’s working. In its first year, the Make Your Move website was visited 25,300 times and 116 people signed up to learn about living and working in our community. By year’s end, the program resulted in five direct hires – two of which relocated to work in Flint & Genesee.
The Group also made a concerted effort to market the region to area college students with a third round of Flinterns. This year, the program partnered with 17 employers, helping a collective 48 interns form local connections and explore and experience the region. As program participants from the last three years began graduating from college, Flinterns saw its first five hires within Flint & Genesee in 2023.
