Boosting collective success and community pride

As the Flint & Genesee Group works to create a thriving region, we recognize that no one organization can succeed alone. Thankfully, our greatest asset is our network. From our employees to our members to our many local, regional, and state partners, we’ve facilitated connections that have resulted in shared success.

Building Networks 

From the perspective of our Flint & Genesee Chamber division, our member network grew considerably in 2023. For the first time since before the pandemic, the Chamber surpassed 1,000 members. The division also saw up to a 20% increase in registration and participation for its 2023 events. 

What’s more, the Chamber’s committees gained momentum. October saw the re-launch of the Disability Works Committee, and both the Flint & Genesee Chamber Ambassadors and Young Professionals reported strong participation throughout the year. Additionally, the African American Advisory Committee continued to grow, reaching more than 160 participants, and hosting new events like the first-ever Black Business Brunch.  

The Flint & Genesee Group and our divisions also hosted several events and programs designed to bring key groups of people together. This included the Business Bridge Minority Business Contracting Expo; APEX Accelerator’s Meet the Buyer, which was held in person for the first time since 2019; and recurring Talent Tours hosted by the Economic Alliance. The Talent Tours initiative — which turns the concept of a job fair on its head by bringing job applicants to employers – was recognized by the International Economic Development Council with a 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award in the category of Innovation Programs & Initiatives. 

The Education & Talent division also supported connections between local employers and the workforce through its summer programming. In fact, 175 TeenQuest graduates put their training into action as they worked for one of 26 Summer Youth Initiative employers. In addition, 19 Flint students secured outdoor jobs through the Summer Youth Employment Program, offered in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  

Thanks to the support of a grant from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s Child Care Innovation Fund, the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance convened a coalition of organizations from Genesee, Lapeer, Shiawassee, and St. Clair counties in a study exploring the successes and challenges of the local childcare space. The team will use the findings to make recommendations for changes to business and policy practices in 2024.

Partner Recognition

To shine a spotlight on some of the region’s top workplaces and help position the region as a destination for top-tier talent, the Flint & Genesee Group rolled out our first-ever Top 10 Employers recognition program. This program has confirmed what we already knew – Flint & Genesee is home to a wide variety of outstanding businesses and organizations in all types of industries. The honorees, who share a commitment to things like employee voice and recognition, professional development, and work-life balance, were highlighted in the September/October 2023 issue of AND magazine. 

Later in the year, the Flint & Genesee Group and its divisions teamed up to recognize excellence and community pride during the ninth annual Art of Achievement Awards. The event was attended by over 500 community members who joined together to celebrate over 200 nominees and 17 award winners. It also included the introduction of a new award named in memory of the late Bryant “BB” Nolden, recognizing an individual or organization who improves Flint & Genesee through community collaboration, advocacy, and engagement.