Issue 2 | February 6, 2019

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Nearly 1,000 job openings: A welcomed sign of the economic times

Recent news that Lansing-based Peckham, Inc., is looking to hire up to 200 sewing machine operators at its new facility in Flint Township was roundly applauded by area business and community leaders. And for many, it is welcomed a sign of the economic times. The apparel manufacturer and vocational rehabilitation organization is one of a number of companies in Flint & Genesee looking for talent. With the county’s unemployment rate at 4.6 percent (as of December – the most data available – and the lowest since 2000), there are nearly 1,000 job openings with various local companies here. READ MORE

Gov. Whitmer's “Home for Opportunity” tour swings through Flint & Genesee

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Feb. 19 stopped by the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce to learn more about what’s happening in our region, as part of her “Home for Opportunity” tour across east Michigan. Whitmer, who spent much of the meeting talking about the importance of higher education and its relationship to the continued economic growth of Michigan, discussed her aggressive goal for boosting post-secondary education attainment in the state. As of 2016, only 44 percent of residents had a higher-education credential. She wants 60 percent of Michiganders to have a post-secondary degree or skills certification by 2030. READ MORE

Volunteer judges needed for student 'Shark Tank' competition

Starting in mid-March, YouthQuest students participating in YQ Biz will begin sharing their business plans in hopes of being one of 32 teams selected for the business expo in May. Over the last few months, these "youthpreneurs" have been learning about creating business plans, developing prototypes and practicing their pitches, which they will deliver before a "Shark Tank"-style judging panel next month. Each panel will consist of three local professionals who will be given grade-specific rubrics to evaluate each business.  READ MORE

Digital AND wins a Silver ADDY Award

AND , the bimonthly business magazine of the Flint & Genesee Chamber, received a Silver ADDY Award for the publication’s digital version ( and.flintandgenesee.org ) from the American Advertising Federation Greater Flint. The AAF Greater Flint’s “Evening of Excellence,” held Feb. 22 at the Northbank Center, recognized the work demonstrated by Flint-area advertising professionals and students, and honored three individuals – the 2019 AAF Silver Medal Award recipient, Dale Keipert; the 2019 AAF Greater Flint Hall of Fame recipient, Lou Blessing; and the 2019 Hall of Achiever recipient, Dr. Nicole Wax. READ MORE

FACES of Flint & Genesee: Ryan Garza & Courtney Simpson, Pop Mod Photo

Fifteen years ago, Courtney Simpson and Ryan Garza were working independently as photographers. Garza worked for the Flint Journal and Simpson was operating her own photography business and teaching classes at the Flint Institute of Arts. One day, they decided their efforts would be better together and joined forces to become Pop Mod Photo.   This past summer, the photography team took root in downtown Flint in the Flint Ferris Wheel – a building that works as a meeting space for clients, a studio for photo shoots and a classroom for photography lessons. READ MORE

UPCOMING EVENTS Feb. 28 – After Hours Wine Down Host: The Gym Fitness Center Mar. 5 – Cyber Security 101 Q&A: Ron Thatcher on small business cyber security Mar. 13 – Chamber Luncheon Featured presentation: Allegiant's Government Affairs team

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