Bay County, Mich. – Three economic development projects totaling over $17 Million in investment have been announced throughout Bay County to round out another banner year for private capital investment and capital formation before the end of 2023.

More than two years in the making the Kansas City, Missouri-based NorthPoint Development has announced completion of a brand new, Class-A, 102,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center on 14 acres of property. Located at the confluence of US-10 and Mackinaw Road, two miles west of I-75 in Monitor Township, it is adjacent to Fabiano Brothers, Marketplace Corporate Center, Valley Center Technology Park and the Monitor Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA). 

“Thanks to the relentless dedication of Bay Future, Bay County, and Monitor Township over the past two years, their streamlined processes and exceptional staff ensured a flawlessly executed project from inception to completion,” said Marc Werner, Regional Vice President, NorthPoint Development. 

The $16 million project will now be home to PepsiCo, Inc. and used as a warehousing and distribution facility for Frito-Lay products. The project expects to create nearly 50 jobs and hiring is underway. 

“Frito-Lay and PepsiCo have deep roots in Michigan and we’re proud to further expand our presence through this exciting new development. Uplifting the communities in which we live and work is a core value for Frito-Lay and we look forward to becoming a critical partner here in Bay County for years to come,” said Alison Benton, CEcD, Director, Economic Development, PepsiCo. 

Construction on the parcel began in Summer of 2022 after a thorough due-diligence process with NorthPoint Development, Bay Future, Inc., Northern Michigan Land Investments, LLC., Monitor Township, and PepsiCo, which began a year prior.

The final pieces of construction and new signs were installed on the building last week. 

Monitor Township supported the project by hosting pre-planning meetings and by approving the special use exemptions for use and height on the building through the Planning Commission and Board of Trustees.

Township Supervisor, Terry Spencer, stated, “We are pleased to work with developers like NorthPoint Development to welcome world-wide, leading companies, like PepsiCo to our community. Monitor Township is business friendly, and we are excited for them to be open for business and to succeed in our community.” 

If you are interested in applying for a career at the facility, please visit www.pepsicojobs.com. 

Future Technologies, Inc., headquartered at 2490 Midland Road in Monitor Township, is expanding its facility with just over a $1 million investment. The investment will include additional equipment systems, assembly and automation systems, additional real property updates, and alternative energy installation. 

Bay Future assisted Future Technologies with the tax abatement process and provided support, advocacy, and guidance to nominate and be awarded performance-based grant funds through the Michigan Business Development Program,

administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Monitor Township supported the project by approving a 50% tax abatement on the new investment. 

The global leak testing company provides support to major markets including the automotive, air conditioning, and refrigeration industries. 

Terry Spencer, Supervisor, Monitor Township, said, “This project is another great example of how working together can lead to mutual success. We are glad to see these types of businesses and jobs in our community and will support them in any way we can.” 

This expansion will allow the company to create 10 new high paying engineering jobs. 

If you are interested in applying for a career at Future Technologies, Inc., please visit https://futuretechnologies.com/careers. 

Bay City-based epoxy manufacturer Gougeon Brothers, Inc. has announced an investment of over $680,000 into their headquarters at 100 Patterson Ave. The reconstruction and modernization of the facility will create and retain a total of 20 jobs in the next two years and will allow for improved workflow throughout the facility. 

“We continue to be committed to growing in Bay City and appreciate the support of the City of Bay City and Bay Future. This investment will allow us to hire additional coworkers and provides us with state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of our customers,” said Alan Gurski, President & CEO, Gougeon Brothers, Inc. 

Over the last decade, this employee-owned, family-run, company has invested over $3 million into their facility located at the base of the west side of the Independence Bridge where they have been operating for more than 50 years. 

Bay Future, Inc. assisted the company with the tax abatement and permitting processes, as well as providing information and assistance with community resources. The economic development organization worked with partners at both the City of Bay City and at Bay City Electric Light and Power to secure the investment in Bay City. 

“We’re thankful Gougeon Brothers continues to call Bay City home and we look forward to witnessing the future growth of the company,” said Dana Muscott, City Manager, City of Bay City 

“We are honored and grateful to have worked with these companies to fulfill their needs for growth and expansion in our community. Without the coordinated support we demonstrate in Bay City and Bay County, these investments go elsewhere, these high-quality jobs go elsewhere, and these investment dollars go elsewhere,” said Trevor Keyes, President & CEO, Bay Future, Inc. “These final three announcements round out the total number of 10 economic development projects generating more than $343 Million in new capital investment to our community in 2023.” 

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Established in 2004, Bay Future, Inc. is a public-private alliance of government, business and other organizations that support economic growth in Bay County, Michigan and the Great Lakes Bay Region. Through the support of its investors, Bay Future is working to execute Bay Future: Drive. Forward., a five-year plan to drive existing business and entrepreneur development, new business recruitment and job growth, workforce initiatives, market available “shovel ready” locations and sites, and both local and regional communication and collaboration. These strategies are all in an effort to create quality jobs for community residents.