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

In this episode of The Hey, Bay City! Podcast, join Ryan Boone, former principal and Prevention Education Coordinator at the CAN Council as he discusses his transition from a 26-year career in education to working on child abuse prevention and advocacy. Ryan shares his deep connection with the CAN Council and its mission to keep children safe from abuse and neglect in the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. The conversation covers his experiences, the importance of protecting kids, various CAN Council programs, and ways the community can get involved, including the upcoming Dine and Unwind event. Tune in to learn more about this vital work and how you can support it!   Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:39 Ryan Boone's Journey in Education 02:21 Transition to CAN Council 04:40 CAN Council's Mission and Programs 12:00 Community Involvement and Support 13:10 Dine and Unwind 16:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dr. Nick Mouawad of McLaren Bay Region was recently recognized by Newsweek as one of the top vascular surgeons in the NATION.  Join us as we sit down with Dr. Mouawad to hear about his upbringing in Dubai to his medical training in Ireland and his remarkable career here in Bay County. He provides an inside look at what it's like to be a surgeon and the heathcare innovations he has brought to McLaren Bay Region.   Don't miss this amazing conversation with one of the real-life heroes behind the scenes at McLaren Bay Region! Show Notes:   00:00 Introduction and First Meeting 01:19 Inside the Operating Room 04:39 Recognition and Awards 07:46 Journey to Medicine 10:20 Life in Bahrain 15:07 Vascular Surgery Insights 21:19 Introduction to TCAR Procedure 21:35 Choosing the Right Procedure 23:57 Surgeon's Perspective on Operations 26:27 A Patient's Story: Dennis Robbins 30:35 Personal Life: Marriage and Family 35:46 Advice for Aspiring Surgeons 37:18 Preventive Health Tips 39:33 The Culture at McLaren 43:55 Conclusion and Gratitude For more Bay County stories, information, and the HBC Job Board, head to www.heybaycity.com!

Chloe Cerva of Pretzel Prize is our special guest on the latest episode of the Hey, Bay City Podcast! We talk about her move out to Portland, moving back, being and entrepreneur, and of course...pretzels!   Watch the episode here, on YouTube or listen wherever you listen to podcasts!   Spotify: https://bit.ly/3VpFQPK Apple: https://apple.co/3vrgbz4 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-hey-bay-city-104129966/ For more Bay County stories, podcasts, information, and a job board, head to www.heybaycity.com!

In this episode, we get to talk "shop" with Jason Story, Director of Talent and Small Business Initiatives at the Midland Business Alliance! What attracts and retains people to a place? What are the challenges? What are the big plans and little steps that lead to growing, thriving cities?    We talk about all this and more in this very special episode!    Show Notes:    00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 00:39 The Importance of Attraction and Retention 01:23 Journey to Midland 02:17 Workforce Development and Community Engagement 04:12 Human-Centric Approach to Workforce 09:05 The Role of Aesthetics in Community Building 18:53 Community Identity and Unique Initiatives 23:23 Events and Community Pride 27:53 Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation 31:11 Midland's RADTalent Initiative 34:19 The Importance of Modern Communication in Communities 35:44 Adapting Communication to Audience Needs 37:19 Balancing Community Improvement and Communication 38:37 The Role of Media in Community Storytelling 39:52 Challenges in Community Attraction and Retention 40:43 Long-Term Vision and Immediate Actions 42:06 Creating a Welcoming Environment for Newcomers 44:53 The Continuous Effort of Community Growth 45:58 The Importance of Incremental Progress 52:39 Collaborative Community Development 01:02:48 Final Thoughts and Encouragement   For more Bay City stories, community information, and more, visit us on the web at 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!

Erin Patrice of The Breaking Bread Village recaps the most recent live show in the ncludingYOU series, a community conversation series in partnership with the Bay Area Community Foundation. In these events, a diverse group of participants from the Bay County community (as well as the audience!) discuss "big idea" topics like bias, judgement, empathy and tolerance.   The next show will be Tuesday, August 13th and will focus on honesty and transparency. There is no cost to attend, but you're encouraged to register here: https://bit.ly/4cdB7tK You can find more stories, podcasts, community information, and the Bay County 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.