No internet access in the home. A lack of technological equipment in general. Having to care for younger siblings while a parent works. No transportation. Those barriers to education had long existed for many Flint-area youths before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. But for many students, they suddenly became what seemed like insurmountable roadblocks when schools Continue Reading
Key forward-looking indicators of construction activity up sharply from 2020 levels It’s the height of construction season, the annual period when the local landscape is altered for the next several years. Drive around the community and you’ll see various multimillion-dollar projects that are certain to become anchors or mainstays in their neighborhood or commercial district, Continue Reading
For decades, Hubbard Supply Co. has prided itself on serving as an integral cog in its widespread customer base’s supply chain. During the COVID-19 pandemic, with material and product shortages disrupting various industries, the Flint-based distributor of industrial MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) and safety supplies has taken on an even more important role. “Today Continue Reading
Ask Brianna Mosier to cite reasons for people to move to Genesee County, and she’ll readily list a few — a low cost of living, cultural amenities that are the envy of even larger metro areas and a choice of rural, suburban or urban settings. “We have a whole county of options available for you Continue Reading
What do you call an organization that helps boosts its community’s business, economic development, education and tourism sectors? Now it’s the Flint & Genesee Group. That’s the name of the rebranded Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, a moniker that still exists but now as one of four distinct divisions under the Flint & Genesee Group umbrella. Continue Reading
They’re now operating under a new name, but they’re still pursuing the same mission — to promote economic prosperity in Flint and Genesee County. Each of the newly created divisions under the Flint & Genesee Group umbrella — Flint & Genesee Education & Talent, Flint & Genesee Chamber, Explore Flint & Genesee and Flint & Continue Reading
Monica Weaver’s determined march toward entrepreneurism led her to Flint. Last July, Weaver — through her Carmel Hill Acquisitions holding company — acquired TGI Direct, a direct marketing company that employs nearly 100 people between its headquarters in Flint and a facility in Ann Arbor. The company began in 1964 as a print and mail Continue Reading
See how some area businesses are responding to the new challenges You might call it an existing condition that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers that were contending with a tight labor market even before the virus arrived are still finding it hard to fill out their workforces despite higher numbers of jobless people. Continue Reading
Hiring new workers is just one part of workforce management, of course. Just as important is keeping existing employees satisfied and engaged — a particular challenge during a period in which a pandemic is raging and political tensions are high. “A lot of companies are realizing we really need to structure work differently,” said Julie Continue Reading
Working remotely poised to enter a new era Talk to area businesspeople about the current and future state of working in an office, and you’ll hear a lot of similar words. For example, there’s “pivot,” a reference to how some office-centric companies tweaked their business model in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then there Continue Reading
