President & CEO's Message
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As we say a bittersweet goodbye to the warm days of summer, we welcome back our regular routine and adjust to the new change of pace, with an eye toward the announcement of autumn, harvesting efforts that will produce a bountiful yield for our community.
This month, we are highlighting events that shine a light on key aspects of our local economy and how we can continue to grow it (no pun intended). Agriculture is a major and vital industry in Bay County and Michigan Sugar Company is a top employer within that industry. The importance of this industry sector to our local economy cannot be overstated and will shortly be seen with the increase in large vehicle traffic throughout the county and region. We appreciate the continued investment of Michigan Sugar in Bay County and their support of our economic development efforts. Read further to learn more about the company’s rich history in our September Investor Spotlight and join us September 27
th
for Bay Area on the Grow where topics on the agribusiness industry, how it functions within our community and abroad, and how we can be proponents to that, will be discussed.
I am also excited, this month, about the announcement of grants through the new competitive Michigan Build Ready Sites program facilitated by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Our team at Bay Future, Inc. has been working with numerous local partners on this initiative for the last year. This opportunity has allowed us to gather all of the pertinent information about a site in Bay County (a 200 acre land parcel) in order to overcome any barriers to development and building on that site. This is a critical element in our efforts to attract industries to Bay County. If a business wants to locate here, we have to offer an exceptional place for them to locate, that includes development ready land and buildings in our site portfolio.
This initiative is in keeping with our adopted Strategic Action Plan’s Tactics for Success in which we make
marketing of available locations and development ready sites a top priority. We truly believe this is a tactic that will increase our national competitiveness in sites being selected here in Bay County, in an effort to secure investments and create living wage jobs for residents. The $100,000 grant will allow us to fund the improvements that are needed on the site so that it meets the standards that site selectors and companies looking for a location are required. There will be more information to come on this program and grant and we appreciate the support of the community and our investors in these efforts.
Happy Reading!
-Trevor Keyes, EDFP
President & CEO
Bay Future, Inc.
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Bay Future, Inc. Awarded $100,000 for Economic Development Activities in Bay County
Bay County has been selected among 31 other Michigan communities to receive grant dollars aimed to bring properties with economic development potential a competitive advantage in business attraction and expansion projects by bringing available sites closer to “shovel ready” status.
Tuesday, August 27, the
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
announced 45 sites throughout the state had been awarded $3.3 million through the new competitive Michigan Build Ready Sites program, the targeted grant program of the Michigan Site Readiness Improvement program. The award to Bay Future, Inc. had been the maximum award possible.
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Discover Great Lakes Bay Coming Home Networking Mixer
–Register Today!
Last year the Great Lakes Bay Region hosted its first ever Coming Home Networking Mixer. The event brought together employers and young professionals in a relaxed atmosphere to encourage young professionals to take a fresh look at the region and the career opportunities that exist here.
This year’s Coming Home Networking Mixer is scheduled for October 11th at Mountain Town Station in downtown Mt. Pleasant, MI and you’re invited to participate. Whether you’re a Bay County business that’s looking to fill open positions at your company or someone passionate about your community, this event is for you.
Young professionals and individuals interested in attending can register and upload resumes online. Attendees will receive two complimentary drink tickets and enjoy a variety of complimentary appetizers at the event.
We are excited to offer another opportunity for our businesses to network and expand in the Great Lakes Bay region and hope you will join us in making this event a great success.
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Michigan Sugar
The death of the lumbering industry in the late 1800's helped bring about the birth of the sugar beet industry to the Saginaw Valley’s farming and food-processing economies.
After loggers had cleared the pine forests in the area, the land was virtually unusable due to the massive expanse of tree stumps left behind. State and local leaders were searching for a substitute for the jobs and money generated by now-departed lumber barons. A solution was needed that could be replenished each year, bringing a stabilizing influence on the economic base of the region.
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Going PRO Talent Fund
The Going PRO Talent Fund (Talent Fund), formerly known as the Skilled Trades Training Fund, makes awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by the Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.
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The Going PRO Talent Fund application period for Fiscal Year 2020 opens Thursday, Sept. 12 and closes Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 5:00 p.m.
For more information about the Talent Fund, review the following:
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Bay Future, Inc. has a New Location!
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Bay Future, Inc. is fully operating from our new location at 812 N. Water Street, formerly known as the headquarters for MLive/The Bay City Times. This transition will allow our organization to become a more visible, viable, and vital entity in our community and as a part of our transition we have co-located with the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
Our mission remains the same, we are dedicated to facilitating economic development strategies that promote and secure opportunities for business retention, growth, and the attraction of new industries that create quality jobs for community residents in Bay County, Michigan.
As Ryan Tarrant, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, recently stated “While the organizations will remain separate entities collaborating together on economic opportunities from one location will further enhance the services provided by both the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and Bay Future, Inc.”
By offering a “one-stop-shop” and capitalizing on synergies and shared resources we will be able to better service our business community.
Thank you to our investors and community members for your support!
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