Bay Future Hires Economic Development Manager
BAY CITY, Mich. – Bay Future, Inc., the countywide economic development organization responsible for business retention, attraction, and expansion efforts throughout Bay County, is pleased to announce its recent hire of Mark Hitchcock (right), who will join the team as Economic Development Manager.
In his new role, Hitchcock will work closely with President & CEO Jim Reaume to market the services of Bay Future, Inc. (BFI), increase awareness of the organization’s initiatives, assist companies with expansion opportunities and development activities, and collaborate with municipal officials to best serve both potential and existing businesses in Bay County.
“I look forward to contributing to the continued economic growth of Bay County by supporting businesses in their efforts to expand and thrive,” said Hitchcock. “My goal is to help create an environment where both new and existing companies can succeed, driving sustainable job creation and long-term community development.”
Jim Reaume, President & CEO of Bay Future, Inc., said Hitchcock brings a valuable combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, and deep regional understanding to the role. “Mark’s specialized skills in operations and business process improvement, combined with his familiarity with Bay County, make him uniquely equipped to support the evolving needs of our business community,” said Reaume. “His homegrown perspective and demonstrated commitment to this region are exactly what we need to help drive strategic growth and retain talent here.”
Hitchcock brings a wealth of professional acumen to his new position, with extensive experience in executive leadership, client-facing customer service roles, and as an economic developer.
A native of Bay City, Michigan, Hitchcock is a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran and earned both his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration from Northwood University.
HL Mechatronics Announces Bay County Expansion
HL Mechatronics is announcing their plans to purchase two 140,000-square-foot facilities in Williams Township to accommodate engineering offices and research and development testing capacities for growth to meet current and future customer needs.
It is anticipated that the acquisition and buildout of these two facilities will result in a total capital investment of $8.5 million and create up to 43 new jobs with an average wage of $56.40 per hour plus benefits, substantially greater than the Regional Median Wage of $19.09 per hour. In an effort to keep this Michigan-based business here in the state, support from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) was provided through a Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant in the amount of $473,000.
HL Mechatronics, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Bay City, is a North American subsidiary of HL Group. The company is a state-of-the-art research and development facility that is committed to the design of electronics, embedded systems, and magnetics for use in many precision motor control applications. Focusing on the designing and testing of steering, brakes, and propulsion technology to final production, the company’s portfolio of customers includes top automotive companies and many global automotive distributors. The company currently employees 98 Michigan residents.
“Retaining HL Mechatronics in Bay County is a huge win locally but also for the State of Michigan. We are thankful and excited to be working with partners like Consumers Energy, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Williams Township on this project,” said Jim Reaume, President & CEO, Bay Future, Inc. “Based on the historical growth of the business locally and existing industry opportunities, we believe HL Mechatronics will prosper in their Williams Township location.”
The company did consider leveraging current
In addition to MSF support, the company partners with Michigan Technological University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Saginaw Valley State University to recruit, retain, and grow talent at the internship level, as well as for full-time entry-level positions.
Bay Future, Inc. Launches Strategic Development Study Across Four Key Bay County Districts
Bay County, MI – Bay Future, Inc. (BFI) has initiated a comprehensive study aimed at assessing current conditions and uncovering future economic development opportunities across four vital districts in Bay County:
- Woodside Avenue in Essexville
- Wilder Road from Bangor Rd to N. Euclid
- Euclid Avenue from the M-247 split to Salzburg
- M-13 corridor encompassing Kawkawlin Township, Fraser Township, Pinconning Township, and the City of Pinconning
The project will deliver an actionable blueprint to drive meaningful growth in these areas.
This initiative involves a robust analysis of demographic and socioeconomic trends, commercial and industrial market data, locational analytics, and benchmarking against similar successful markets. It also includes strategic development plans such as SWOT analysis, site readiness assessments, and a focus on attracting high-wage industries.
These insights will guide real estate, infrastructure, and placemaking strategies to enhance Bay County’s economic vitality.
“We’re thrilled to begin this important work that will help shape the economic future of Bay County,” said Jim Reaume, President & CEO of Bay Future, Inc. “This project is about more than just data – it’s about transforming information into opportunity. We believe the impact will be deeply meaningful, not just for business growth but for the people and communities we serve.”
Bangor Township Supervisor Glenn Rowley emphasized the local significance of the effort: “This is a smart, forward-thinking investment in our community’s future. We’re proud to support BFI’s work in identifying new ways to bring growth and prosperity to our area.”
Bay County Executive Jim Barcia also praised the initiative, stating, “This comprehensive study shows Bay County’s commitment to proactive, data-informed planning. I applaud Bay Future’s leadership and look forward to the results that will help us better serve our residents and business community.”
Bay Future, Inc. continues to drive Bay County’s economic development strategy by identifying innovative opportunities, attracting investment, and fostering long-term sustainability across the region.
One-Day Interactive Blueprint Reading Class May 22
This one-day interactive course held at SVSU will help equip participants with the skills needed to read and interpret 2D prints. Participants begin to recognize forms and lines, cut away drawings, drawing conventions and features and dimensions. The issue of tolerancing is addressed with a short overview of statistical basics such as normal distribution and process capability. Pre-tests help participants evaluate current skills. Post-tests indicate realized gains from the day’s interactive exercises.
This course covers:
- The History of the Blueprint
- Projection of Works and Types of Lines
- An Introduction to Features and Dimensions
- Scale Drawings and Drawings in Section
- Special Part Features and Configurations – Part I and II
- Holes
- Threads
- A Quick Look at GD&T
- An Introduction to Welding Print Symbols
The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU.
