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Business and Industry

Both new and existing businesses are attracted to the many financial incentives offered in the community. In addition to monetary programs from the private sector, there is an assortment of assistance available through state and federal government funding in the forms of venture capital, industrial revenue bonds, fixed asset loans and numerous other sources such as Brownfield credits and tax-free zones.

The cost of construction materials and labor is low, with Bay County ranking 5 percent below the national average on material expenses and 9 percent under labor costs. Furthermore, the Bay Area is desirable for its many available spaces that can accommodate a wide range of needs. The area is home to two business parks and a variety of buildings in locations from industrial technology parks to Downtown Bay City.

Numerous centers of commerce and trade are easily accessible from the Bay Area. Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis, Toledo, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville, Pittsburgh and the Canadian cities of Montreal, Ontario and Toronto are all within 500 miles of Bay City. Outstanding highway structures, railroads, air routes and waterways provide easily accessible and cost-effective means of transportation.

Several Fortune 500 companies are some of the Bay Area’s top employers, while small and medium-sized companies incite economic growth and diversification. Large corporations in the region include The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Corning, General Motors and S.C. Johnson and Son. The Bay Area’s workforce is skilled and educated, and mid-Michigan was ranked in the top 30 percentile for number of engineers per capita by Forbes magazine. Furthermore, the cost of living is low—the region was listed as the number two metro area for cost of living by Forbes.

The Bay Area is home to a diverse manufacturing base. Top manufactured products include roofing systems, precision machining, test equipment, aerospace mechanisms and medical devices. Industries are varied and growing as well. The automobile industry, science services, tourism and the health sector play key roles in the area’s development.Agriculture

Agriculture

Known as the “Bread Basket of Michigan,” the fertile earth of the Bay Area has bestowed generations of farmers with plentiful harvests. Navy beans, corn, pickles, potatoes and more have provided sustenance for people locally and throughout the world.

Agriculture is a continually growing area of business with annual production estimated at over $170 million. Diverse foods are grown in the area; placing among the top 10 in Michigan are soybean, sugarbeet and hay producers. Many agricultural companies in the region have become well-established throughout the years and give back to the community in a multitude of ways. One of the area’s principal crops, sugarbeets, led to the formation of Michigan Sugar Company’s headquarters and processing plants. A valuable area employer, Michigan Sugar has devoted millions of dollars toward local community programs.Another rising industry in the Bay Area is agritourism. The Bay Area celebrates the past, present and future of agriculture with annual celebrations at the Munger Potato Festival, Pinconning Cheese Festival and Auburn Corn Festival. Farms providing tours, festivals, fresh produce for sale, special events and much more attract people from near and far. Farmers’ markets and farms sell berries, melons, vegetables, plants, trees and homemade creations at various times throughout the year. Locally grown and handcrafted items can be found at the Bay County Farmers Market and the new Downtown Farmers Market.