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Bay Future | Bay Future Focus: February 2023

February 7, 2023

Michigan Business Network

President & CEO’s Message

A core tenet to our economic development strategy at Bay Future, Inc. (BFI) is to drive expansion of businesses currently operating in Bay County. Business expansions allow us to assist in the growth of our community by supporting those businesses that are already here to increase their productivity, to invest more into their businesses, and to hire more people. In the past two years alone, BFI has worked with Bay County businesses that have invested over $100 million in the expansion of their operations, while also creating and retaining hundreds of jobs.

Our team proactively meets with growth-focused business owners looking to expand either the physical footprint of their current location or who need assistance in finding a new building or property in which to grow from. These businesses vary across industries, vary in size, and in scope. From those we as community members like to frequent daily or weekly, like our new favorite cookie store or small boutique, to large manufacturers that provide employment opportunities with good-paying jobs to our friends, family, and neighbors.

This month, we were honored to have been invited to participate in General Motors’ announcement of $216 million being investment in the General Motors Powertrain Plant in Bay City. The investment is part of a larger plan of General Motors to expand the production of V-8 engines. General Motors is putting $918 million dollars in to four facilities including the Bay City Plant. The Bay City Plant will be building camshafts, connecting rods, and machine blocks for the new V-8.

General Motors investment in Bay City plant is one of the largest in years

Watch Video!

The investment of $918 Million will be spread across 4 facilities including two in Michigan:

Bay City GPS in Michigan – GM will invest $216 million to prepare the facility to build camshafts, connecting rods, and block/head machining supporting future V-8 production at Flint Engine Operations.

Flint Engine Operations in Michigan – GM will invest $579 million to prepare the plant to assemble GM’s sixth generation family of Small Block V-8 gas engines along with the related block, crank and head machining. Work at the facility will begin immediately. Flint will continue building the 3.0L turbo-diesel during the facility renovations. GM’s 3.0L diesel is used in a variety of light-duty truck applications.

Defiance Operations in Ohio – GM will invest $55 million in the Defiance facility. $47 million will be invested to prepare the facility to build a variety of block castings to support future V-8 engine programs. In addition, the investment includes $8 million to build a casting development cell for castings to support future EV strategies.

Rochester Operations in New York – GM will invest a total of $68 million in the Rochester facility. $12 million will be invested to prepare the facility to build intake manifolds and fuel rails for the future V-8 production at Flint Engine Operations. In addition, the investment includes $56 million for the production of battery pack cooling lines for EV production.

General Motors has a long and integral history in Bay City, originally opening in 1892 as the National Cycle Manufacturing Company which produced innovative bicycles that replaced the older high-wheel style bike. In 1918, General Motors purchased the bike plant and added it to their portfolio. Currently, General Motors Powertrain Plant in Bay City has 422 employees which hold $46.7 million dollars in wages. In the last 10 years, GM has announced more than $385 million in investment at the site.

We thank General Motors for their investment and commitment to our community and congratulate the City of Bay City, UAW, our UAW Local, and the hard-working employees of Bay City GPS for their dedication in creating a culture of business friendliness, commitment, and innovation that has allowed for this achievement and investment to occur.

As General Motor’s slogan goes, “We stand together to drive the world forward.” Bay Future, Inc. stands together, with our partners and local industry, to continue to Drive our community Forward!

Happy reading,

-Trevor Keyes, EDFP

President & CEO

Bay Future, Inc.

Featured Content

Investment at Marketplace Corporate Center

Want an update on what’s happening in Marketplace Corporate Center just off of US-10 and Mackinaw Rd.?

Over 13 acres in Monitor Township are currently being developed for a future tenant! The anticipated investment is over $13 Million with an expected job creation number over 70 new opportunities.

Bay Future, has worked diligently with partners from the public and private sector, over the last 18 months, to secure this investment and project to our community. Look for the announcement coming in Q2!

Investor Spotlight

PNC Bank – Meet Lee Kilbourn

“Bay Future is a great organization, they’re made up of the finest people that we have in the county… They look at the different needs that are in the community… I believe in the vision, I believe in the cause of Bay Future Because it (Bay Future) makes a better community for us all to live in.”

Learn more about Lee Kilbourn, Bay Future, Inc. Board of Director and Mayor of the City of Auburn

www.auburnmi.gov

Featured Event

Bay Future, Inc. 2023 Annual Meeting

Featured Program

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

1. Submit the Employer Interest Form (opens in new window)

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

To see a full list of available trainings visit https://mmdc.org/training/

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 JReaume@BayFuture.com

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