Southeastern Michigan One of Twelve Regions Designated for Federal Initiative

The City of Flint, Genesee County and areas from 12 other counties across southeastern Michigan have been designated to receive federal funding aimed at revitalizing manufacturing through the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Program (IMCP).

The Advance Michigan region was one of a dozen communities that received the designation nationally. All will be eligible to compete for a combined $1.3 billion in federal funding from 16 federal departments and agencies including Commerce, Defense, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Mayor Dayne Walling of Flint - one of the anchor cities along with Ann Arbor, Detroit, Lansing and Pontiac - said "we deserve this designation because Flint continues to be one of the leading global centers of advanced manufacturing and innovation. The additional resources will assist us in implementing our master plan and growing our economy in the 21st century."

According to a new release, the funding amount for each reason has yet to be determined and the Flint area will benefit directly from only a portion of those funds awarded to Michigan. However, the potential estimated impact is expected to be more than 100 jobs per year for the area once the programs are underway. The funds are also expected to leverage additional private investment which will multiply the effort.

The Advance Michigan initiative will focus on innovations that support increased efficiency and enhanced safety in the automotive and mobility sector including:

• Connected and automated vehicle technologies
• Lightweight and multi-material vehicles
• Advanced powertrain and propulsion systems
• World class manufacturing
• Supply chain and logistic systems

These technology areas are consistent with the state's Automotive Strategic Plan published earlier this year. The Advance Michigan plan contains detailed strategies aimed at expanding workforce and training initiatives, developing supplier networks, support research and innovation and improving operations and capital access.

The City of Flint was one of the lead partners in the Advance Michigan plan. Walling led the effort to recruit other municipal partners including the City of Detroit and Mayor Mike Duggan and the City of Lansing and Mayor Virg Bernero.