Issue 121 | August 15, 2018

(Photo: Lear Corp.; mural by Flint artist Kevin Burdick )

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Lear Corp. cuts the ribbon on its new Flint facility & recent FGCC-member grand openings

Lear Corp. on Aug. 11 welcomed the community to its new $29-million, 156,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, built on the site of the former Buick City administration building on Hamilton Avenue in Flint. Employment at the facility, which will supply seating for General Motors' Flint Truck Assembly plant, is expected to grow 600 when it reaches full capacity by 2019. READ MORE

CEO Blog: Genesee County residents vote ‘Yes’ on millage proposals

I want to thank Chamber members who voted for the Genesee County millage proposals in the Aug. 7 primary election. By now you know that voters approved all three of the countywide millages that were endorsed by the Flint & Genesee Chamber. The Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment millage will provide free or deeply discounted admission to local art institutions, including the Flint Institute of Arts and Sloan Museum. It would also provide $500,000 to the Greater Flint Arts Council for arts programming grants to other nonprofit or governmental arts and cultural institutions in Genesee County. READ MORE

Goyette's Construction Division moving to downtown Flint

Downtown Flint is picking up a new business resident. Goyette Mechanical is moving its Construction Division to 307 E. Court St. and will transition about two dozen employees to the new location. The company expects to complete the move by late September. "We could not be more excited to be a part of the revitalization of the downtown area and look forward to supporting our fellow downtown businesses," said Tom Halligan, Goyette’s construction sales manager. READ MORE

Satisfaction with Michigan economy at an 'all-time high' among small business owners

The latest Michigan Future Business Index (MFBI) report shows that more than eight-in-ten small to mid-sized business owners in the state are satisfied with the economy. Nearly 43 percent of respondents indicated wages have increased over the past six months, a seven-point rise over December 2017. Additionally, 38 percent showed a growth in profits, up from 32 percent. The results of the survey reaffirm Michigan's comeback, with economic growth strong throughout the state.  READ MORE

Joanie Hales on 'The Art of Giving Great Service'

Earlier this year, Zingerman’s Delicatessen was named a finalist for a James Beard Award in the category of “ Outstanding Service .” While Zuni Café in San Francisco ultimately received the 2018 award, when it comes to recognition from the prestigious James Beard Foundation – a national nonprofit that celebrates, nurtures and honors America's diverse culinary heritage – it’s an honor to just be nominated. So, what’s the Ann Arbor-based restaurant’s secret?  READ MORE

What you need to know about Chevy Commons

Formerly called Chevy in the Hole, the manufacturing center for Chevrolet Motors in the early 1900s and location of the historic Flint Sit-Down Strikes, Chevy Commons has gone through some big changes. In 2015, work began to redevelop and regreen the area with plans to convert the grounds into a 60-acre park. Located along the Flint River, Chevy Commons is situated blocks away from downtown Flint and adjacent to Kettering University and University Avenue, Mott Park and Carriage town. READ MORE

SIGHTS & SOUNDS

Hard working teens take day off to volunteer in Flint Three hundred high schoolers from across Genesee County participated in a city-wide clean up in Flint. Each volunteer was taking part in the 2018 Summer Youth Initiative, a six to eight week program that coordinates part-time summer jobs for the teenagers. (Courtesy of ABC-12)  PLAY VIDEO

UPCOMING EVENTS Aug. 14-18 – Back to the Bricks Aug. 16 – Hot Dogs & Hot Rods Cookout Aug. 22 – What to Expect When Joining a Board Sept. 12 – Chamber Luncheon

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Updates on people on the move