Impact Genesee Summit 2025

FORGE A FUTURE PRIMED FOR GROWTH AND PROSPERITY

Welcome to the Impact Genesee Summit!

We are excited to have you join us as we work to shape our community's economic future. Last April, following our successful Community Mentors Symposium, a partnership with UM-Flint’s Office of Economic Development and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, it became abundantly clear that the time for collective action is now. Together, we can make a positive impact on Genesee County that will benefit all residents — this is why we are here today.

This summit will equip you with valuable tools and insights to enhance our collective efforts to promote growth and development across Genesee County. We are confident that the knowledge shared here, and the new relationships formed during our time together, will empower you to think big about the future of Genesee County.

We encourage you to think creatively and collaboratively as you engage in discussions and workshops. Each of you brings unique perspectives and expertise that can drive the positive change we all seek. Let’s leverage this opportunity to inspire one another and forge new partnerships that will lead to lasting impact.

Thank you for participating in the Impact Genesee Summit. Your dedication to creating a brighter economic future for Genesee County is invaluable. Together, we can build a prosperous community where everyone thrives, new families can put down roots, and your kids and grandkids can live and work.

Onward and upward,

Genesee County Board of Commissioners

Commissioner Delrico J. Loyd, Chair

The purpose of the IMPACT Genesee Summit is to…

-Examine impactful narratives of changing economic landscapes in other counties and learn how to prepare

-Identify systemic and process improvement strategies that Genesee County can adopt to help attract development

-Equip municipal leaders with knowledge of economic development tools and implementation techniques

-Empower coalitions and partnerships between municipalities through county-led working groups

AGENDA

8:30AM - 9:00AM

Breakfast & Networking

9:00AM - 9:15AM

Welcoming Remarks from Genesee County Board Chair Delrico Loyd, UM-Flint Chancellor Dr. Laurence Alexander, City of Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley, Governor Gretchen Whitmer

9:15AM - 9:30AM

Interactive Survey Facilitated by Commissioner Gary Goetzinger

9:30AM - 9:45AM

Plan for the Day with Dr. Beverly Brown

9:45AM - 10:30AM

Breakout Sessions

SHOP Genesee: Facilitated by Commissioner Dale K. Weighill - Thinking Outside the Big Box

Join us for a case study with industry experts who will explore innovative strategies for revamping traditional shopping malls into dynamic community spaces. This conversation will showcase numerous examples of creative designs that have revitalized local communities that have experienced the demise of large-scale retail spaces like malls.

PLAY Genesee: Facilitated by Commissioner Shaun Shumaker - Game Changer: Finding Our Competitive Edge in Recreational Tourism

Join us for an engaging panel discussion in which content-area experts will explore how development assets in recreational tourism can leverage our community's rich tradition of athletic excellence to drive economic growth and opportunity. We will uncover new strategies for harnessing the power of recreation to attract visitors, create jobs, and create recreational assets like the Mundy Miracle Commons and Berston Fieldhouse that will enrich the lives of current and future residents of Genesee County.

10:45AM - 11:45AM

BUILD Genesee: Facilitated by Commissioner Charles Winfrey - Foundations for the Future

The session will focus on the critical role of accessible housing for working people as we look toward a future marked by rapid economic growth and an influx of new residents. Quality housing is vital to retaining and recruiting the talent that will ultimately drive economic growth, which is why Genesee County created the Housing Impact Fund as a catalyst to grow our local housing stock.

12:00PM - 12:15PM

Grab Lunch and Buckle Up!

12:15PM - 2:00PM

TRANSFORM Genesee Keynote: Facilitated by Commissioner James Avery - Reflections on a Mega Site

Join us as we reflect on how a $100 billion Advanced Manufacturing District transformed Onondaga County, NY and how investment in cutting-edge manufacturing can drive job creation, innovation, and sustainable growth in communities for generations.

2:15PM - 3:15PM

CONNECT Genesee: Facilitated by Commissioner Martin L. Cousineau - The Value of Speed, Quality and Price

Panelists will explore how expanding access to high-speed, high-quality Internet service stimulated a $2.2 billion economy in Chattanooga, TN. This discussion will also highlight how NextGenesee, an initiative with the goal of bridging the digital divide, plans to leverage Michigan’s $1.8 billion in broadband funding. But is there really a need to provide better broadband service in Genesee County? The survey results are in.

3:15PM - 4:00PM

Wrap-Up and What’s Next with Commissioner Beverly Brown, PhD; IMPACT Genesee Summit Chair