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Bay Future | Bay Future Focus: July 2023

July 14, 2023

Michigan Business Network

President & CEO’s Message

Between the high temperatures, numerous community events, and investment and development announcements, it’s been a HOT summer in Bay County! In this month’s newsletter, we highlight those recent announcements.

Mersen USA Expansion of $81.2 Million and 115 Jobs in Michigan- $70 Million+ and 70 new Jobs in Bay City
Wenonah Park to Receive a $900,000 Grant for Improvements
Bay Carbon, Inc., Investing $1.6 Million to Expand
Uptown Drive Development, LLC. Investing $1.2 Million

We know each of these projects creates a significant impact on the employment opportunities for our friends and neighbors and improves the quality of life we experience here in Bay County. So, please help to share the good news of these announcements on social media and through your conversations and in your travels this summer!

We’re looking forward to the continued growth of these opportunities and appreciate the support of our investors and community members to Drive. Bay County Forward!

Happy reading,

-Trevor Keyes, EDFP

President & CEO

Bay Future, Inc.

Featured Content

NEW INVESTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Mersen USA Expansion of $81.2 Million and 115 Jobs in Michigan, with $70 Million and 70 New Jobs to Bay City!

Global advanced materials manufacturer Mersen USA is expanding in Bay City and Greenville, MI. The state-wide project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $81.2 million and create 115 jobs in semiconductor and silicon chip materials manufacturing, with $70 million invested and 70 new jobs created in Bay City!

Mersen USA GS Corp. is a subsidiary of Le Carbone Lorraine, a France-based global leader in electrical specialties and advanced materials for high-tech industries. Mersen employs a total of 304 team members at its Michigan locations. The company has seen dramatic growth and increasing demand for its graphite products that are used to manufacture silicon chips and semiconductors, given the rapidly expanding electrification and technology involved in electric vehicles. Due to this growth, Mersen is increasing its production capacity and product offerings.

The company plans to expand at its Bay City facility at 900 Harrison St by acquiring more than five acres of land and constructing four new buildings that will house new manufacturing space. In addition, four buildings at this location will be rehabilitated and expanded and will include the addition of a technical center. The company chose Michigan for the project over a competing site in Tennessee because of the quality of the materials currently being manufactured at its existing Michigan facilities.

Read Press Release

Wenonah Park Receives $900,000 for Park Improvements

Bay Future, Inc., The State Theatre, Bay City DDA, and the City of Bay City are pleased to announce the continued improvements of Wenonah Park with the award of a $900,000 Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program grant. The four entities collaborated to secure grant funding made available by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Read Press Release

The State Theatre is responsible for managing the project which includes four components:

Component A is the addition of a sprinkler irrigation system in Wenonah Park

Component B is the addition of icicle lights hanging from the trees in the north and south plaza areas at the east end of Wenonah Park.

Component C is the addition of sound and lights to the newly renovated Wenonah Park, World Friendship Shell Stage.

Component D is the replacement of the square box lights from the 1970s in Wenonah Park with updated LED Arlington lights

The Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program is intended to spur investments that will address the inventory of vacant, underutilized office, commercial, and community spaces due to the pandemic by supporting efforts to repurpose them for the community to enjoy. Approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund to support MEDC’s strategic focus on innovative placemaking and continue to help communities recover from the impacts of COVID-19, the RAP program utilizes $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan dollars to support investments in projects that promote population and tax revenue growth to proactively address negative economic impacts of COVID-19 in traditional downtowns, social zones and public spaces. One of the goals of the program is to deploy federal American Rescue Plan funding to support investments that will create the environment necessary to attract and retain talent, add new housing options, enable business creation and attraction and provide resources for Michigan citizens and communities.

NEW INVESTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Bay Carbon, Inc, Investing $1.6 Million to Expand

Bay Future, Inc. (BFI) is excited to announce Bay Carbon, Inc. is expanding its facility with a $1.6 Million investment. The investment will include an additional 10,000 square foot building to the company’s property in Bay City and the creation of 20 new jobs, which will enable the company to meet the increasing demand of their products from customers.

“The last year has been monumental for our growth as a business as we work with industries experiencing explosive growth. It’s critical that we’re able to expand our physical footprint to show our commitment to satisfy the needs of our customers and we appreciate the support of those who have helped make this project happen,” said Thomas Clare, President of Bay Carbon, Inc.

The expansion consists of a $1,100,000 investment in the building and $500,000 for equipment. Construction is slated to begin later this year on a stand-alone building adjacent to the company’s current location at 800 Marquette Ave, Bay City. The project will double the company’s workforce as well as increase internal opportunities for current employees.

Read Press Release

NEW INVESTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Uptown Drive Development, LLC Investing $1.2 Million

Uptown Bay City continues to expand with the additional investment of $1.2 Million. Construction on a 4,000 square foot, two-tenant building on the corner of Mckinley Avenue and Saginaw Street at the foot of Veterans Bridge is slated for completion in August of 2023. The building will serve as the future site of Starbucks and create 20 new jobs in Bay City. A secondary tenant will be sought for the remainder of the space.