Flint, Michigan

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Flint, Michigan, home of the Firebirds, is the third largest city in the state and includes a metro population of nearly 500,000, encompassing an even larger number in the surrounding region, boasting 3 million people within a 60-mile radius.

While known for it’s success in the lumbering industry, Flint was also the leading manufacturer of carriages and other vehicles earning it the nickname of “Vehicle City” prior to becoming an automobile manufacturing powerhouse for Buick and Chevrolet.

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 Dort Financial Center

Flint Firebirds OHL Arena Dort Federal Event Center

 Located near the heart of Michigan’s third largest city, the Dort Financial Center has proudly served Mid-Michigan and the community of Flint for over forty years.

Based in close proximity to Saginaw, Sarnia and Windsor, the Dort Financial Center makes the Firebirds hockey club one of the most accommodating travel locations for fans and teams throughout the Ontario Hockey League.

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Quality of Life

  • Flint & Genesee is home to four top college and universities, eight satellite campuses and 30,000 students, including nearly 1,000 international students.
  • Genesee County Parks is the largest county parks system in Michigan, which includes the greatest outdoor playground—the Mounds Off Road Vehicle Park.
  • Flint’s Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center is home to the Flint Firebirds, a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League.
  • The city is also home to a world-class cultural center that includes the state’s largest planetarium and second largest art museum.
  • If you’re a foodie, Flint has you covered.
    • The 32,000-square-foot Flint Farmers’ Market was named one of 15 Great Places in America by the American Planning Association in 2015.
    • Microbreweries are on the rise in Genesee County. In the city of Flint, Tenacity Brewing has offered a beer garden in a former fire station since 2015.
    • The Awesome Mitten declared “Flint, Michigan is the New Coffee City” in 2017
  • Thrillist featured
  • It’s bike friendly.
    • The 17-mile Flint Bike Trail begins near downtown at the University of Michigan-Flint campus and heads north along both sides of the Flint River to Bluebell Beach on the reservoir.
    • Cyclists can access the Flint Bike Share program with Zagster throughout the city.
    • In 2016, the city was recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle Friendly Community..

 

Business

  • The region is becoming a hub for autonomous vehicles research with the recent addition of R&D facilities for Laird and CNXMotion, and Kettering University’snearly complete mobility testing facility (GM Mobility Research Center).
  • It is home to recognized brands such as Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, the second fastest growing company in Michigan according to Crain’s Detroit Business; General Motors; Coffee Beanery; and Koegel Meats.
  • Flint’s entrepreneurial environment is coming into focus.
    • The creative spirit of the community and legacy for being a region of “makers” is alive and well. And through great resources such as the Hagerman Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Mott College Fab Lab, and Ferris Wheel Innovation Center/100K Ideas, Flint will continue to help aspiring entrepreneurs.
  • Continued business investment and tourism were bright spots in 2017 – an aggregate of multiple projects in scope and size, demonstrating resiliency and focus in Genesee County.
    • Over $296 million in business expansion and government contracts
    • 15 investment projects generated an estimated $36 million in annual payroll
    • 1,108 jobs were created and retained.
    • Flint tourism generated $133 million in economic impact
  • Flint is home to Michigan’s third busiest airport – Bishop International.
  • The region’s three major medical centers – Genesys Health System, Hurley Medical Center and McLaren Flint – continue to expand, investing in the latest equipment and state-of-the-art technology.

 

Downtown Flint

  • Over the past 10 years, roughly $100 million has been invested in the redevelopment of downtown Flint.
  • The revitalized area offers:
    • A thriving downtown business district.
    • The Health & Wellness District that includes the Flint Farmers’ Market, Genesys Downtown Flint Health Center, Genesys PACE Center and Hurley Pediatric.
    • Residential options including upscale lofts and apartments, and student housing.
    • A variety of restaurants, coffee shops, nightlife and breweries.
    • A downtown that is easy to get around – walkable and bicycle-friendly.
    • A “college town” vibe.
    • And a destination for art, theater, nightlife and outdoor activities such as festivals, marquee events such as the annual Crim race, and ice skating.
  • Additional investments projects were recently completed with others underway
    • Restored Capital Theater, a symbol of Flint’s resurgence
    • Ferris Wheel Innovation Center and 100K Ideas
    • Mott Community College’s Culinary School (underway)
    • Mixed-income housing complex (underway)
  • There are about 1,300 people living in downtown apartments, lofts and student housing. Factoring in single family housing in nearby neighborhoods – there are around 2,500 downtown residents.