Blue Meets Green Phase 7 Retreat

April 2023

In 2009, at the very first meeting of what became the Blue Meets Green (BMG) campaign, 150 residents of St. Clair County gathered to form the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) for our region. In time, the EDSP transformed into the Blue Meets Green collaborative, and is led by the 40-person Leadership Council. About every two years, the Leadership Council begins the process to update the plan by working with communities and community groups.

On Friday, April 21, many participants gathered for the 7th Phase of the Blue Meets Green Strategic Plan to celebrate successes and achievements from Phase 6 and to create goals and objectives to advance the county's economy and prosperity for all. The event was kicked off with a presentation by Chuck Donaldson, Community Development Manager, at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

New Wrigley Center Lofts - Attracting Young Talent, Working Professionals & Empty Nesters 

December 2022 

Rents range from $1,200 to $2,200.  All lofts are two bedroom units. 
Each of the units have modern finishes with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a fireplace and LED light fixtures.  

Learn More 

$9.5 Million Affordable Housing Project
Port Huron / Woda Cooper Companies

Announced September 2022 

City sells property for $1 in exchange for the development of 50 new "missing middle" affordable housing condo units to be developed within 24 months. 

St. Clair - The Boardwalk Theatre Celebrates Groundbreaking

June 2022

$3 Million dollar - 12,000 square-foot, 350-seat performing arts facility expected to open next spring. 

Learn More

Blue Meets Green Community Collaboration Continues with
Phase VI Rollout. 

"We are very proud of the progress that has been made on many of the projects in the previous phases.  We will continue to work hard to make our community a place where people want to live, visit and do business." - Hale Walker, Co-Chairman

View Press Release 

Marine City Marina
Blue Meets Green Project
Receives $45,000 in Funding

The Community Foundation of St. Clair County has approved a grant for $45,000 to support the development of a new $377,000 marina project.   


Learn More 

Magna Invests $70 Million
in St. Clair County, Michigan

Magna has broken ground on a new manufacturing facility in St. Clair County, Michigan.  The new state-of-the art facility will build battery enclosures for GM's news GMC Hummer EV.   Magna will be adding 304 quality paying jobs to the Blue Water  Region.   

Learn More 

Wrigley Center Mixed Use
Community Development

As announced by the Michigan Economic Development Center:

The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved a $1.5 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant to support the Wrigley Center Development Project, which will renovate and expand a vacant, functionally obsolete one-story building in downtown Port Huron. The completed development will consist of a four-story building including 36 mixed-income residential units and commercial space that will contain multiple tenants including the  Port Huron farmers’ market. The project will also include multi-level parking and public improvements including sidewalks and the space occupied by the farmers market. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $14.4 million and create 45 full-time equivalent jobs. The Port Huron Brownfield Redevelopment Authority also received MSF approval of $689,143 in state tax capture to be used to reimburse for brownfield remediation activities.

The city of Port Huron is supporting the project by approving the local portion of the Act 381 Work Plan valued at $981,507 and a 10-year Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act tax abatement valued at $2.7 million. St. Clair County has also agreed to sell the property to the developer for less than the appraised value. The developer has partnered with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, which will be contributing $350,000 in the form of a direct equity investment as well as a forgivable loan.

View Full MEDC Press Release

Another recent article about this project from the Times Herald can be viewed here.   

The Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County is proud to be be one of the local partners involved in helping project Wrigley and developer, Larry Jones.  The EDA provides confidential, complimentary site selection assistance, incentive coordination, and support to local businesses to grow our local economy.  edascc.com 

First in Michigan to add 100% electric battery-operated buses 

Blue Water Area Transit (BWAT) is the first public transit agency in Michigan to add 100% electric battery-operated buses to its transportation fleet, a step that advances the Blue Water Area toward a cleaner and more environmentally-friendly future.    Learn more in this article from the keel
#electric #transportation #mobility 

Downtown Port Huron grocery store gets ‘critical’ funding needed to continue project

The MEDC is granting the project either $630,000 or 25% of the total cost of renovating the building, whichever is less .  Once open, the downtown PH Country Style market will employ 30 to 40 workers. 

Full Story

Blue Water Area Robotics Center officially opens in Port Huron

The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance helped raise the $25,000 necessary to purchase the new full-size robotics practice field as one of the Blue Meets Green initiatives.  The new regulation size field will be shared by area robotics teams to help prepare for regional and statewide competitions. 

Watch video

County asking Community Foundation to fill $350K shortfall in Wrigley Center development

The Developers plans call for commercial and retail on the ground level of the 46,835-square-foot Art Van building and to construct additional levels to accommodate 36 lofts. 

Learn More

Blue Meets Green Seeks Phase 6 Projects 

In the previous five phases, we accomplished many important projects, from the development of the Blue Water Convention Center, to the development of the Inn on Water Street in Marine City, to creating a career-based education system that is now being implemented in all seven of our public school districts. We are now preparing to begin the process to develop Phase 6 of the strategic plan and are seeking the input of community stakeholders to develop a working list of potential regional priority projects.  Project ideas due by November 30.  Contact Dan Casey 810.982.9511 with questions. 

 


CityFlatsHotel    redevelops waterfront Michigan National Bank Building  

The Michigan National Bank building at the southeast corner of the Black River becomes CityFlats Hotel - Port Huron.  Featuring 36 boutique hotel rooms; each unique, modern and eco-friendly, a grand ballroom perfect for weddings and special events and indoor and outdoor restaurants.  Opening in Spring/Summer 2019.   The building purchase and renovations are by west side developer, Chuck Reid.  

http://cityflatshotel.com/location/port-huron/


St. Clair Inn Historic Hotel $35 Million Renovation & Upgrades  

California Developer, Jeff Katofsky in on track for a Summer 2019 opening of the historic St. Clair Inn.  The newly renovated hotel will offer 106 rooms, three stand-along cottages, man-made beach, fire pits and bocce ball court, outdoor swimming pool, amphittheater and multiple services areas along the St. Clair River.  

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dtwtx-the-st-clair-inn-a-tribute-portfolio-hotel/ 

St. Clair County keeps rolling on its riverside Renaissance - Crain's Detroit Business

February 10, 2019 - Special report highlights the business development momentum in St. Clair County and smart moves by local economic development organizations to help small businesses grow in the community.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/special-report/special-report-st-clair-county-keeps-rolling-its-riverside-renaissance

Port Huron Manufacturer partners with Port Huron Area Schools on STEAM labs

P.J. Wallbank Springs, a company with nearly 40 years of history in St. Clair County is investing in the community's future.   The company has committed $25,000 a years for the next six years to help fund the cost of educational materials and equipment for the new STEAM programs and labs.  Port Huron area schools recently completed construction of a 20,000 Square Foot, $1.2 million STEAM lab.  STEAM labs will be built at six of the district's 16 schools.  

DTE Energy chooses St. Clair County to build $1 billion energy center

DTE has broken ground on its state-of-the-art 1,150 MW Blue Water Energy Center on existing company property in East China Township, Mich. It will provide affordable and reliable power for 850,000 homes beginning in 2022. Blue Water Energy Center, unanimously approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC),  is expected to be the most fuel-efficient power plant in Michigan. It will run on natural gas and use combined-cycle technology that captures waste heat to produce additional electricity. The plant will be 70 percent cleaner and 40 percent more efficient than the three coal-fired plants it replaces. 

https://empoweringmichigan.com/bluewater/

Hotel Harrington Purchased for Redevelopment & Restoration 

The Historic hotel built in 1896 has been purchased and will be restored to a fully-service 82 room hotel. 

www.voicenews.com/life/st-clair-inn-owner-looks-to-reopen-harrington-inn-in/article_34cdb600-cf12-5ccf-b747-6e21e48c5a28.html

Local Entrepreneurs Strike Deal with Disney

The Community Capital Club (C3), an investment arm of St. Clair County is investing $300,000 in a St. Clair based startup.  A key factor for the C3 Club funding was a license granted in November by the Walt Disney Company.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/manufacturing/license-disney-marks-turning-point-st-clair-inventor

40-Acre Desmond Landing Waterfront Opportunity

Acheson Ventures is seeking a developer for commercial, residental and/or recreational opportunities on a beautiful 40-acre waterfront site that boasts 9 distinct parcels.  Located in a tax- saving Opportunity Zone, this former brownfiled site is cleaned & developer ready with water, sewer, gas & electric installed. 

AV Website:  https://www.achesonventures.com/development-opportunities

"Come Home" Reverse Scholarship Lures Talent Home  

St. Clair Clair County, Michigan, has received acclaim for luring college talent back with a "Come Home" Reverse Scholarship fund, paying up to $15,000 in student debt.  Numerous scholarships have been and continue to be awarded.  Are you ready to Come Home and reduce your student debt?   

Catapult Business Competition

A regional business competition hosted in conjunction with the I-69 Thumb Region offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to give their best business pitch to win small business funding.  The first place winner of the local competition advances to the regional event for an opportunity to win additional funding.  St. Clair County entrepreneurs placed first in 2017 and second in 2018.   

Blueways of St. Clair earns state Island Loop designation   

Blueways of St. Clair County is included as part of Michigan's first state-designated water trail, The Island Loop National Water Trail.  St. Clair County has 17 water trail routes to offer paddlers, and crafts such as kayaks, canoes and standup paddleboards.  Water trails are an increasing trend throughout the country.