Driving Economic and Community Growth in Bay County: Insights from Bay Future and SBDC

This episode of 'Hey Bay City' centers on the vital efforts of Bay Future and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in fostering economic and community development in Bay County, Michigan. Jim Reaume, President and CEO of Bay Future, Inc., discusses the organization's critical role in the economce development of Bay County.

The conversation covers the challenges of housing and childcare shortages, the need for balanced and sustainable growth, and the significant economic impact of major investments like the Mersen project and Michigan Sugar's facilities. Collaborative efforts with educational institutions to equip the workforce, the availability of shovel-ready sites, and the success stories of businesses like Vantage Plastics are highlighted.

The SBDC, led by consultant Michelle Judd, is noted for its pivotal support to over 200 local businesses through expert consulting on setup, financial planning, and marketing.

This episode underscores the strategic planning and behind-the-scenes dedication necessary for maintaining community prosperity and economic stability.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome  01:04 Jim's Background and Journey  02:58 Role and Impact of Bayfuture  05:56 Challenges in Economic Development  18:43 Workforce Development and Training  24:23 Exploring Bay County's Shovel Ready Locations  25:54 Challenges and Opportunities in Site Development  29:01 Vantage Plastics: A Success Story  32:56 Michigan Sugar's Innovative Approach  36:12 Supporting Small Businesses with SBDC  43:48 The Importance of Economic Development

In this engaging episode, Jason Story from the Midland Business Alliance talks about his 7 step framework for attraction and retention. Jason and Phil explore how defining and understanding each step—Attract, Acquire, Integrate, Train, Develop, Retain, and Sustain—can shed light on effective strategies for community growth and workforce stability.

This conversation is filled with practical insights and thoughtful analysis, offering viewers a comprehensive roadmap to address these pivotal issues. Join them as they navigate through theory and real-life applications, aiming to foster a thriving, cohesive community.

00:00 Introduction and Continuity  00:31 Exploring Attraction and Retention  02:04 Defining Attraction and Retention  04:03 The Role of Community in Attraction  06:17 Marketing and Community Engagement  11:51 Acquisition Phase 19:05 Integration and Welcoming  28:45 Training and Equipping for Success  34:48 Business and Educator Partnerships  35:31 Understanding KSAOs: Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Attributes  37:55 Training vs. Development: Present and Future  39:26 The Importance of Retention  51:27 Sustaining Success Over Time  01:06:11 Practical Applications and Future Conversations

For more stories, podcasts, and communtiy information, head to www.heybaycity.com!

Join John Kaczynski from Saginaw Valley State University as he delves into the nuances of attraction and retention in the Great Lakes Bay Region! John shares his personal and family anecdotes to highlight the significance of quality of life and sense of community. From discussing historical migration patterns to the modern-day challenges of attracting college students, graduates, and retirees, John offers a comprehensive overview of strategies aimed at fostering a vibrant, welcoming community.

John talks about the importance of hospitality, the role of transportation and housing, and the collective effort needed to create a thriving regional identity.

00:00 Introduction  00:27 Exploring Attraction and Retention  01:01 Personal Stories and Community Ties  01:22 Historical Context and Family Roots  04:18 Sense of Belonging and Regional Identity 06:27 Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Education  17:27 Mobility and Infrastructure Initiatives  30:00 Creating a Culture of Hospitality  30:50 A Story of Hospitality in Indianapolis  33:49 The Power of Perception and Kindness  34:43 The Importance of Community Ambassadors  35:41 Designing Communities for All Ages  36:07 Telling Our Story: Media and Education  36:45 Celebrating Local Schools and Achievements  38:12 The Value of Regional Assets  46:50 Creative Solutions for Community Growth  52:09 The Role of Hospitality in Community Success  01:00:11 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements

Dr. Nick Mouawad of McLaren Bay Region was recently recognized by Newsweek as one of the top vascular surgeons in the NATION. 

For more Bay County stories, podcasts, information, and a job board, head to www.heybaycity.com!

In this episode of the Hey, Bay City! Podcast, we get to know HBC's Director of Workforce Development, Sara Parker!

Check out all our podcasts, stories, community info and the HBC! Job Board at www.heybaycity.com!

Miss Bay County is now the new MISS MICHIGAN! We chat with Jenae Lodewyk about working for the Pistons, competing for Miss Michigan, hear her perform, and more in the latest episode of the Hey, Bay City! Podcast!  For all our past episodes, stories, community information, and Bay County job board, head to www.heybaycity.com.