Bay County, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Wednesday in announcing approval of $87.5 million in grant funding for 18 projects across the state of Michigan through the Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) to support efforts to compete for and win transformative economic development projects.
Through this funding for strategic site readiness and collaboration with local, regional and energy partners, communities across Michigan will experience increased economic development opportunities to support in their business development efforts.
Bay Future, Inc., the county-wide economic development organization, prepared and submitted a successful grant application for the program, totaling an award of $4,161,500.
“With partners from the township, county, utilities, state, state elected officials, and landowners, efforts to bring the property at 3 Mile Road and Wilder Road in Monitor Charter Township to a developable level have been progressing for 7 years. Funding to bring much needed infrastructure to the site became a barrier that could not be overcome. In combination with the upcoming launch of ‘Build Ready, Bay County’, Bay Future’s vetted sites and property program, this funding provides a true path forward for site readiness efforts in our community,” said, Trevor Keyes, President & CEO, of Bay Future, Inc (left).
Applications for the grants were accepted from September 18th to October 30th, 2023. The MEDC received over 70 applications totaling $420 million in requested funding – more than four times the SSRP allocation – further demonstrating the significant need for advancing site readiness in the state of Michigan. Funding was awarded in nine of the state’s 10 prosperity regions, representing at least one grant for every region that submitted applications. To read more regarding the SSRP program and projects, sites, and communities that were funded, follow the link here: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/press-releases/2024/01/ssrp/.
Here is what those local partners had to say about the announcement and award:
“On behalf of Monitor Township, I am thrilled with the announcement of funding from the MEDC Strategic Site Readiness Program for the 3 Mile Road and Wilder Road site,” said Terry Spencer, Supervisor of Monitor Township. “This crucial funding will pave the way for the creation of development-ready sites, creating new opportunities for businesses to flourish and grow. As a township with limited resources, this support is a significant step forward. This will go a long way in making our area as competitive as possible not just for Monitor Township but for our neighboring communities as well.”
“Bringing infrastructure to this site is critical,” said Donald Scherzer, Executive Vice President at Spicer Group, Inc. “Infrastructure improvements include increasing utility capacity to the site. The Strategic Site Readiness Program has come at a perfect time to aid in this process. The SSRP award will support infrastructure improvements that are necessary in attracting new investment dollars not only to this site but surrounding areas.”
“This award shows that our region is a prime place for big economic development, and that’s great news for our residents and businesses,” said State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet (35th District). “I’m proud to support this project that will dedicate millions of dollars to boost Bay County’s local economy with infrastructure jobs, and position Monitor Township to win more private investment and job-creating projects.”
“I want to express my appreciation to the MEDC for providing the funding to help Bay Future and Monitor Township improve site readiness for the 3 Mile and Wilder Road Site. This money will go a long way in making Bay County and the Great Lakes Bay Region more attractive to investment,” said State Representative Timmy Beson (96th District).
“Bay County is a hub for high tech and manufacturing jobs, and we are proud of that legacy,” said Bay County Executive, Jim Barcia. “Development of these parcels is a tremendous opportunity in attracting more businesses to Monitor Township and Bay County.”
“Development on this site has been in the works since 2017,” said Jim Lillo, Engineer-Manager of the Bay County Road Commission. “All of us who were at the table from the very beginning are elated to see this funding come to Bay County. This award shows that vision and hard work can yield tremendous results.”
Contact: Trevor Keyes
P: 989.892.1400
Pictures included in the attached pdf. document:
3 Mile and Wilder Road Landscape
SSRP Grant Awards Map
Trevor Keyes, President & CEO, Bay Future, Inc.
Terry Spencer, Supervisor, Monitor Township
Donald Scherzer, Executive Vice President, Spicer Group, Inc.
Kristen McDonald-Rivet, State Senator (35th District)
Timmy Beson, State Representative (96th District)
Jim Barcia, Bay County Executive
James C. Lillo, PE, Engineer-Manager, Bay County Road Commission
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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.
