President & CEO's Message |
Happy New Year!
There's always a sense of excitement and anticipation as one year ends and a new year begins. When I think back to the growth and the progress of 2022, I brim with pride in reflecting on what we have been able to accomplish and the results it has brought to our community. I'm proud of our team at Bay Future, I'm proud of the partners we work with each day, I'm proud of the businesses who choose to call our community home, and I'm proud to live in Bay County.
In 2022, we determinately continued our efforts to Drive Forward. We aggressively increased engagements with businesses of all sizes (entrepreneurs to multi-million dollar, multi-national companies) through our Business Retention Program. We helped support more than 140 small businesses through the Bay County Small Business Grant Program. We supported multiple business expansion and attraction projects. And looked to attract more businesses by submitting and completing multiple requests for proposals/requests for information received through our network of site selectors, corporate real estate brokers, and through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Through these efforts, our team has continued to set the foundation for growth in Bay County that will most assuredly continue to produces results in 2023.
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) defines economic development as "the intentional practice of improving a community’s economic well-being and quality of life. It includes a broad-range of activities to attract, create, and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth tax base and an inclusive economy. The practice of economic development comprises of a collaborative effort involving industry, government and myriad community stakeholders."
This is precisely what the Bay Future, Inc. team, along with our partners, has done and will continue to do in to the new year and beyond. We're thankful for our partners who provide resources, technical assistance, and expertise to help current (and future) Bay County companies make that decision to invest in our community. And we're eternally thankful to our investors who make this work possible.
2022 was a fantastic year and with the committed support of economic development efforts in our community, 2023 will prove to continue to Drive Bay County Forward!
Happy reading,
-Trevor Keyes, EDFP
President & CEO
Bay Future, Inc.
|
|
Hey, Bay City! is a collaborative county-wide effort to connect people in the community to each other and Bay County with the rest of the world. It focuses on keeping local talent in Bay County, as well as attracting employees to the area. The website and social media channels includes stories, podcasts, and community information as well as a Bay County job platform for businesses to post open positions and job seekers to find the best fit.
Hey, Bay City! is a part of the Talent and Attraction effort made possible and supported by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the City of Bay City and Bay County.
|
|
Hey, Bay City! Episode 1 Is Live |
|
Marlana and Phil chat about the story behind HBC!, give a sneak peek at how it works...and kick things off with a little Third Wind Distilling Co.! |
|
Make sure you check out Hey, Bay City's Social Media Pages. Website Coming soon! |
|
PNC Bank - Meet Wayne Barber |
|
"We're very proud of what Bay Future, has done with the area, and what they've been able to bring into the market, the workforce, the attractions, the businesses coming into the area, it's all very important"
Learn more about Wayne Barber, Bay Future, Inc. Board of Director and Vice President and Relationship Manager at PNC Bank
|
|
SAVE THE DATE! Bay Future, Inc. 2023 Annual Meeting |
|
Regional Talent Initiative - FREE Training |
|
What is RTI?
The Regional Talent Innovation Program provides FREE, short-term training in areas related to advanced manufacturing. Trainees can select up to 40 hours of trainings from the 30 courses being offered through Delta College.
Who can benefit?
Anyone who has been impacted in any way by COVID-19 and lives OR works in the following Michigan counties: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, or Saginaw can receive FREE training.
Customized training plans for Employers
If you're an employer, you know the needs of your company and how those can be met through upskilling your current employees. Through RTI, you can connect with Delta College for a free consultation to develop a training program and sequence of courses that meets some of those needs.
Your customized training plan can be scheduled at times that work best for your business and that works around your production schedule. The courses and materials are free, and your business will not be billed for services. This is not a reimbursement program. No matching funds are required to participate in the program.
When does the program run?
Applications are now open and trainings will be offered through April 2023.
What are my next steps?
Employers looking to customize training programs for their employees start by reaching out and letting us know your needs and ideas.
The process is as easy as 1,2,3
2. Delta College will connect with you to create a training series and course schedule that fits your needs and your business
3. Your employees complete and submit Application Forms and the required verification materials
What trainings are available for free?
Participants can select up to 40 hours worth of trainings that will be 100% FREE. Materials and supplies will also be FREE! Training is offered in the following categories:
- Supervisor, Operations, and Business
- Safety
- Robotics
- Manufacturing Skills
- LEAN
- Computer Skills
- Basic Manufacturing and Shop Skills
Don’t hesitate to get in line for this first come, first serve training. Click the “Training Request Form” link below to express your interest for FREE training.
Want to speak with someone directly? Contact Jim Reaume [email protected] or 989.892.1400
|
|
Great Lakes Bay Region 5 Good News |
|
|
|
Great Lakes Bay Region 5 is an economic development partnership that covers Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw Counties.
The county-wide and multi-countywide economic development organizations collaborate on talent attraction and retention, site location, asset development, business attraction and more. Below are recent regional good news stories and information.
|
|
Bay Future, Inc. Platinum Level Investors! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
