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Bay Future | Bay Future Focus: November 2023

08.21.19 -- BayFutureDriveForward.

President & CEO’s Message

Bay County has a diverse business community: from agribusiness, to advanced manufacturing, to thriving downtown areas which offer many consumer amenities.

It’s critical that we provide a local economic ecosystem equipped with tools and resources to assist those businesses, large, medium, and small, in their growth. This is one of the reasons we partnered with the Small Business Development Center and Bay County to offer a Small Business Development Consultant focused solely on small business and entrepreneurial growth in Bay County.

Michelle Judd has been supporting our small businesses and budding entrepreneurs directly since she began her role one year ago. We’ve seen a steady pipeline and demand for her services from the Bay County small business community.

I’m excited to share that tomorrow night, at 5pm at the State Theatre, a project Michelle and her team at the Small Business Development Center have been working on the last few months will come to fruition. We extend the invitation you to attend ‘Business by the Bay: Pitch Your Future’. This is a free event where five local entrepreneurs will present their business plans to a panel of industry experts.

The five finalists were chosen from candidates representing start-up or for-profit businesses in Bay County, that have been operating for two years or less, and have generated less than $1 million in revenue, are vying for cash awards ranging from $5,000 (grand prize) to $3,500 (second place) and $1,500 (third place).

I hope you will join us for the event and help support their businesses. Together we can help grow our community!

Keyes 2022
 
 
Happy reading,
 
-Trevor Keyes, EDFP
President & CEO
Bay Future, Inc.
 
  
 
 
Featured Content

Bay County Featured in Business Facilities Magazine

“SK Siltron’s Bay County production facilities are the only ones of its kind in Michigan,” said Matthew Gave, External Affairs, SK Siltron CSS. “Globally, only about 10 companies product silicon carbide wafers. I think our facility is a crown jewel and we are on the leading edge of brining high-tech manufacturing to Michigan. We want our customers, our suppliers and others in the semiconductor industry to come join us in Michigan.”

Bay County, Michigan: Evolves to Exceed Expectations

Bay County is Michigan-centered and exemplifies Midwestern spirit and grit. The community was built on the foundation of hard-working people and blue-collar industries that grew from the area’s abundant lumber, water, farming ,and energy resources. Today, Bay County retains its heart in heritage industry, while evolving to exceed the expectations of agribusinesses, advanced manufacturers, and pioneers in research and development who call it home. Continue Reading

Read Article in Magazine

UPDATE: Vantage Plastics, Inc. Growth in Bay County

In July, we had the honor of announcing a $30.9 Million investment by Vantage Plastics in Bay County. We’ve compiled additional updates and information on the project below:

Vantage Plastics is Expanding Operations Into Bay County, MI with Wilder Road Facility – Read More!

  • What the expansion means for our customers
  • What’s next for Vantage Plastics?

Gov. Whitmer Awards Funding to Make Infrastructure Upgrades in Bay County, Supporting 93 Jobs in the Area

The Bay County Road Commission was awarded a Transportation Economic Development Fund Category A grant by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to improve approximately one-half mile of Wilder Road between Patterson Road and Marquette Avenue, including paving road shoulders and concrete patching, bringing the road up to the all-season standards needed for Vantage Plastic’s operations at the site. The total construction cost for these road improvements is $480,000. The TEDF Category A share is 70 percent, up to $336,000. The Bay County Road Commission’s share is 30 percent, or $144,000. Read full Press Release

Vantage Plastics, Inc. is coming to Bay County! In Episode 42 of the Hey, Bay City! Podcast, we talk to Paul Aultman and Don Hale about their investment into a new facility in Bangor Charter Township: a $40 million investment and projected 93 jobs!

Bay County Highlighted in Area Development Magazine

Investor Spotlight

1st State Bank

Last week, 1st State Bank announced the appointment of Todd C. Gregory as 1st State Bank’s new President & CEO, effective July 2024!

With over 20 years of banking experience, Todd Gregory joined 1st State Bank in 2017 as Senior Vice President, Business Lending Manager and was promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer in 2020.

Committed to the Great Lakes Bay Region, Todd serves as Vice Chair of the Saginaw Community Foundation, and is a board member of Bay Future Inc. and the Saginaw Downtown Development Authority. He has previously served as Board Chair of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, board member of Ascension Health Mid-Michigan and on the Investment Committee of Saginaw Catholic Diocese.

Since 1st State Bank’s inception in 2004, 1st State Bank has promoted CEOs from within – from Rick Goedert to Jim Milroy, and now to Todd Gregory. This seamless transition of leadership ensures that CEO understands 1st State Bank, culture, employees, customers, shareholders, and the Great Lakes Bay Region Business Community.

Congratulations Todd Gregory, Bay Future, Inc. Board of Director!

 

Thank you 1st State Bank for your commitment to economic development in Bay County through your investment in Bay Future!

 

www.1ststate.bank

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