For the Flint & Genesee Group, 2023 was a year of building and strengthening connections. As you’ll read in this year’s annual report, we count as successes the connections facilitated for individuals and organizations in our community – connections to the resources needed for growth; to partnerships that made a positive impact; and to opportunities to invest in the future of Flint & Genesee.
As part of the larger picture, 2023 was also the culminating year of a three-year strategic plan. I am pleased to share that the team exceeded many of our goals for 2021-2023. For example, the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance projected $100 million in private investment and connecting jobs to 500 local workers over the three-year period. After 2023 year-end calculations, the division far exceeded these goals with $728 million in private investment and 1,568 job connections to local workers.
The Flint & Genesee Chamber aimed to further the success of small businesses to support a stronger local economy. Three-year goals were met by attaining 351 new members and reaching a membership retention rate of 88.3%.
Through Flint & Genesee Education & Talent’s efforts to promote educational and economic empowerment of young adults, the division served over 6,000 scholars through programs like TeenQuest, Flint Promise, YouthQuest, Summer Youth Initiative, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Summer Youth Employment Program.
Explore Flint & Genesee aimed to increase tourism and drive economic impact in the region. The division secured 21,912 hotel room nights and collaborated with various partners to host 93 meetings and conventions in Genesee County between 2021 and 2023.
To help attract and retain talent for Flint & Genesee over the last three years, the Group launched the Make Your Move talent attraction program, Flinterns, and numerous marketing campaigns. To support those hit hardest during the pandemic, including small and minority-owned businesses, we administered the Moving Flint Forward grant program, the Small Business Help Desk, the Flint & Genesee Business Bridge, and thousands of hours of APEX counseling. And to strengthen our organization, we updated our branding, put new governance structures in place, and furthered our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Looking back at 2023, I am proud to be a part of a team so truly committed to working together for the greater good, and of the connections made within our organization and alongside our partners in service of Flint & Genesee.
On behalf of our staff and Board of Directors, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. As we remain connected into the future, I know that we will continue to make a positive difference.
Tim Herman
CEO, Flint & Genesee Group
A message from the CEO
For the Flint & Genesee Group, 2023 was a year of building and strengthening connections. As you’ll read in this year’s annual report, we count as successes the connections facilitated for individuals and organizations in our community – connections to the resources needed for growth; to partnerships that made a positive impact; and to opportunities to invest in the future of Flint & Genesee.
As part of the larger picture, 2023 was also the culminating year of a three-year strategic plan. I am pleased to share that the team exceeded many of our goals for 2021-2023. For example, the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance projected $100 million in private investment and connecting jobs to 500 local workers over the three-year period. After 2023 year-end calculations, the division far exceeded these goals with $728 million in private investment and 1,568 job connections to local workers.
The Flint & Genesee Chamber aimed to further the success of small businesses to support a stronger local economy. Three-year goals were met by attaining 351 new members and reaching a membership retention rate of 88.3%.
Through Flint & Genesee Education & Talent’s efforts to promote educational and economic empowerment of young adults, the division served over 6,000 scholars through programs like TeenQuest, Flint Promise, YouthQuest, Summer Youth Initiative, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Summer Youth Employment Program.
Explore Flint & Genesee aimed to increase tourism and drive economic impact in the region. The division secured 21,912 hotel room nights and collaborated with various partners to host 93 meetings and conventions in Genesee County between 2021 and 2023.
To help attract and retain talent for Flint & Genesee over the last three years, the Group launched the Make Your Move talent attraction program, Flinterns, and numerous marketing campaigns. To support those hit hardest during the pandemic, including small and minority-owned businesses, we administered the Moving Flint Forward grant program, the Small Business Help Desk, the Flint & Genesee Business Bridge, and thousands of hours of APEX counseling. And to strengthen our organization, we updated our branding, put new governance structures in place, and furthered our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Looking back at 2023, I am proud to be a part of a team so truly committed to working together for the greater good, and of the connections made within our organization and alongside our partners in service of Flint & Genesee.
On behalf of our staff and Board of Directors, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. As we remain connected into the future, I know that we will continue to make a positive difference.
Tim Herman
CEO, Flint & Genesee Group
Impact
Flint & Genesee Group 2023 Impact by the Numbers
$
M
investment made in Genesee County economic development projects
jobs created through economic development projects
connections made between employers and job seekers
companies supported through retention and growth efforts
Small Business Help Desk meetings
businesses on the Flint & Genesee Business Bridge directory
$
K
awarded to 23 Flint-based small businesses through GM-funded Moving Flint Forward grant program
participants in professional development workshops; 201 employers represented
ribbon cuttings with Chamber members
APEX counseling hours; 104 new clients/companies counseled
$
M
in government contracts awarded to APEX clients
new Chamber members; 25% increase over 2022
%
Chamber member retention rate
attendees at Group events
TeenQuest graduates
career prep workshops for 1,680 high school students
Flint Promise Scholarship students, including 61 new scholars
Leadership Flint & Genesee graduates
students employed through SYI/MDNR
hotel room nights secured in Genesee County
$
M
in estimated economic impact from hosted groups
new Certified Tourism Ambassadors
positive stories on Flint & Genesee reaching an estimated audience of 62.9M
visitors each month to Group websites; 28% increase over 2022
M
advertising impressions
followers on Group social media
social media engagements
$
M
investment made in Genesee County economic development projects
jobs created through economic development projects
connections made between employers and job seekers
companies supported through retention and growth efforts
Small Business Help Desk meetings
businesses on the Flint & Genesee Business Bridge directory
$
K
awarded to 23 Flint-based small businesses through GM-funded Moving Flint Forward grant program
participants in professional development workshops; 201 employers represented
ribbon cuttings with Chamber members
APEX counseling hours; 104 new clients/companies counseled
$
M
in government contracts awarded to APEX clients
new Chamber members; 25% increase over 2022
%
Chamber member retention rate
attendees at Group events
TeenQuest graduates
career prep workshops for 1,680 high school students
Flint Promise Scholarship students, including 61 new scholars
Leadership Flint & Genesee graduates
students employed through SYI/MDNR
hotel room nights secured in Genesee County
$
M
in estimated economic impact from hosted groups
new Certified Tourism Ambassadors
positive stories on Flint & Genesee reaching an estimated audience of 62.9M
visitors each month to Group websites; 28% increase over 2022
M
advertising impressions
followers on Group social media
social media engagements