FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 26, 2024

CONTACT: Amy Bailey, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, abailey@byrumfisk.com

Site readiness grant essential to position Advanced Manufacturing District as premier location for new business

FLINT, Mich. — The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance is applauding a vote today by the state Senate Appropriations Committee to approve a grant awarded by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board (MSF) aimed at helping to attract a new job-creating project to the Advanced Manufacturing District (AMD) of Genesee County.

Approval by the Senate budget panel follows last week’s vote for the transfer by the House Appropriations Committee and is the final approval needed for the MSF Board’s $250 million grant to be awarded to the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, a division of the Flint & Genesee Group. The funding will support the organization’s efforts to purchase land needed to fill out the 1,000-acre AMD.

The site, located in Mundy Township, is well positioned to be home to an advanced manufacturer that will create thousands of new jobs, pump millions of dollars into the local economy and help bring the supply chain back to the United States.

“Today’s vote shows the global business community that Michigan is serious about providing a turnkey site for an advanced manufacturer,” said Tyler Rossmaessler, the executive director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance. “We’ve seen a lot of interest in this site because of its unique qualities, including its close proximity to a skilled workforce. We are excited to keep our foot on the accelerator of efforts to attract new opportunities to Genesee County.”

The site also is attractive to companies because it’s close to a railroad, Bishop airport and I-69 and I-75 as well as three great local colleges: Kettering University, Mott Community College and the University of Michigan-Flint.

“With the support of our state leaders and elected officials, the AMD is exceptionally well positioned to create a wide range of opportunities not only for our graduates but for our entire community, region and state,” said Dr. Robert McMahan, president of Kettering University. “Advanced manufacturers generate a vast range of rewarding spinoff career opportunities. Such a project here would help fuel exciting new innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities across our entire community.”

Nearly 30 organizations and businesses in Genesee County, including the Randy Wise Automotive Team, the Hurley Foundation and the Flint Cultural Center, have signed a public letter of support for efforts of local and state leaders to attract an advanced manufacturer to the region. The letter is on the alliance’s website at GeneseeJobs.org.

“Having a new advanced manufacturer in Genesee County is a win-win,” said Christopher Wise, vice president of the Randy Wise Automotive Team. “It will help bring our supply chain back to the United States and bring back jobs that have been lost to foreign companies in the past.”