President & CEO's Message
Entrepreneurs are the catalyst who create, expand, and spark our economy, as they formulate their ideas and work diligently to design their products or services into functioning business. In order to continue to grow our economy, and advance technology, it will take the work of new entrepreneurs who are willing to take that leap along with the support of those business resources in our community to foster and grow those efforts.

We believe it is essential to have partners and resources available to new entrepreneurs in order to assist them in overcoming barriers to growth. One of the ways we’re working on providing those resources is through the Pitch a Dream: Innovate the Bay initiative. This year will be the second annual event where Bay County entrepreneurs have the opportunity to bring their ideas to life by pitching their business plans and products. Along with CMURC , Bay Area Chamber of Commerce , Bay County Growth Alliance , and the Eastern Michigan Council of Government , we urge you to join us Tuesday, November 12 th for MUSE: Insight for Entrepreneurs Luncheon. For additional details click here

As Chris Girard, President of Bay County Growth Alliance, said to Route Bay City , "It's really planting seeds for future businesses. If we run this for 10 years, hopefully every year we get three or four business that take root and grow. Think about 30 or 40 new businesses in our community."

Last year the top winners of the contest took home more than $50,000 in cash and prizes to assist their businesses.

When entrepreneurs are successful, communities grow. It is the real engine of job creation in any economy. New and young business create nearly all net new jobs in the U.S., and that also holds true at state and municipal levels.

We are happy to partner in these initiatives that will give exciting opportunities to entrepreneurs already in or looking to come to Bay County. But even more exciting than that will be the impact these innovators will have on the future of our local economy.

Happy Reading,

-Trevor Keyes, EDFP
President & CEO
Bay Future, Inc.
Featured Content
Discover Great Lakes Bay
Coming Home Event

Our 2019 Coming Home Event was a great success, welcoming well over one hundred graduating students and returning young professionals back to the Great Lakes Bay region. Attendees networked with 26 different companies and organizations from across the region at Mountain Town Station in downtown Mt. Pleasant. The event offered participants a unique way to connect with businesses and inquire about current career opportunities. To all our companies and participants from Bay County, thanks for helping us make this event a great success! Learn more about this event by watching the video below!

Total number of participants: 119 
Total number of businesses: 26
Total number of attendees: 146 
MiCareer Quest
Middle Michigan

Last week, October 30, Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! in partnership with Michigan Works! Region 7B hosted the first MiCareer Quest Middle Michigan at Saginaw Valley State University. This hands-on career exploration event drew over 10,000 middle and high school students, along with teachers, counselors, and career navigators from an 11 county region.

Students were exposed to 5 industry sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Construction, Health Sciences and IT. Employers from these sectors created hands-on, interactive exhibits that showcased occupations in a way that inspires and educates the students.

Thank you to those who assisted in planning and executing the event and the industry sponsors for your participation!
MEDC Strategic Plan

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has launched its new 5 year strategic plan that will outline the direction of economic development efforts within the state of Michigan. Jeff Mason, President & CEO, of the MEDC shared the plan at the 2019 Interlocal and Corporate Partners Annual Meeting.
Featured Event
Investor Spotlight
Fabiano Brothers

Fabiano Brothers, Inc. has been a family owned business since its inception. Based upon a firm foundation of tradition and integrity, the company continues to thrive under the leadership of the fourth generation of the Fabiano family.


We are thankful of the support of Fabiano Brothers, Inc. as investors of BFI and economic development activities in Bay County!  
Get to Know Bay County!
City of Essexville
Essexville: the Gateway to the Bay! The City of Essexville is best described today as a bedroom community. Essexville is primarily a residential community whose residents commute to job opportunities within the Saginaw-Bay City-Midland region.

The Saginaw River waterfront within the City of Essexville is utilized for bulk storage of petroleum products, cement, stone and agricultural products. Essexville is the closest port to the Saginaw Bay.

Population: 3,269

Hampton Township

Hampton Township is located in southern Bay County. Agriculture is the largest land use in the township taking up 54% of land. 

Population: 9,383

Fraser Township

Fraser Township's early history reflects on the natural resources of the area as it was a source of timber during the lumbering era in Bay County. Farming became the primary source of subsistence when the land was depleted of most of its trees and lumbering operations closed in the area. Today, farming remains an important economic factor in Fraser Township as does the Saginaw Bay.

Population: 3,016