January 2024 Economic Development Update

New Saginaw Future Senior Vice President

Tim Dempsey is the new Senior Vice President at Saginaw Future Inc. Prior to working with SFI, Tim was Vice President of the community and economic development team at Public Sector Consultants. Tim worked with clients at the local, regional, and state levels to develop actionable strategies and programs. Tim previously served as director of the Department of Planning, Building, and Development as well as deputy city manager for the City of East Lansing.

In these positions, he oversaw the department’s planning and zoning, community and economic development, building, housing, and downtown parking divisions. Tim also worked for the City of Saginaw as its Director of Development and is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Saginaw. Tim’s expertise includes economic development incentives, business district revitalization, tax increment financing, public-private partnerships, and business incubators. Tim holds a BA in Geography from the State University of New York at Geneseo, with an emphasis in Planning and Urban Studies, and an MA in Geography from Miami University, with an emphasis in Market Analysis and Urban Planning.

Saginaw Future 32nd

ANNUAL AWARDS Luncheon

Join us Friday, March 1st for a time of celebration! We will be recognizing local businesses and projects that have contributed to the economic growth within our communities.

This is also a time to recognize the fantastic opportunity that the Canadian Hockey League 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow will bring to Saginaw and the entire Great Lakes Bay Region.

March 1, 2024

Saginaw Valley State University

Curtiss Hall

Check-in: 11:00 am

Lunch: 11:30 am

Program: 12:00 PM

The program begins promptly at 12:00 pm and will be emceed

by our very own WNEM TV5 News!

Thank You Event Sponsors!

Grant Opportunities

Consumers Energy Foundation is currently seeking letters of intent from nonprofit organizations and municipalities for the 2024 Planet Awards! The Planet Awards will provide as much as $250,000 to two or more Michigan organizations aiming to make a positive impact on the State’s land, water, or air. The letter of intent is the first step in a two-step application process that will result in the award of up to $250,000 in funding per recipient ($500,000 total).

This year, Consumers Energy is accepting letters of intent to support projects improving Michigan’s environment in the following categories:

Land. The Consumers Energy Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that aim to protect, preserve, and restore land in Michigan, which includes protecting and improving Michigan’s natural beauty and wildlife habitat.
Water. Our freshwater and lakes demand great care. Therefore, we support nonprofit organizations seeking to preserve and improve water quality in our Great Lakes, and our freshwater bodies that flow into them.
Air. We support nonprofit organizations seeking to reduce carbon in Michigan’s air and improve air quality.

The Consumers Energy Foundation’s Planet Awards are the first of three $500,000 grant rounds in 2024, totaling $1.5 million. Additional requests for proposals will be announced later in the year for the People Awards and Prosperity Awards. Examples of previous Planet Award recipients include:

2023 – The Nature Conservancy
2023 – Genesee Conservation District
2022 – Green Macomb Urban Forest Partnership
2022 – Oshtemo Township
2022 – Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority

Applicants can access the letter of intent on the Consumers website at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/community/foundation/planet. Please note that the deadline for submitting a letter of intent for the 2024 Planet Awards is 5:00 PM on February 9, 2024.

Put Your Town On the Map

The Consumers Energy Foundation is offering grant opportunities to help put your community on the map. They are seeking innovative ideas that will energize your town and create momentum that builds a stronger sense of community. If you are selected, you will be invited to submit a video or PowerPoint to be presented to a panel of judges

during the Small Town & Rural Development Conference. Apply Here!

T-Mobile Hometown Grants

T-Mobile is investing $25M in 500 rural towns over 5 years to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. Help upgrade tech at your local library, build new hiking trails, revitalize historic buildings, and so much more. Apply Here!