The Forward Together process was launched in 2019 through a unique partnership between the City of Flint, Genesee County, and Flint & Genesee Group. This process was open, inclusive, and resulted in a new, shared vision for the economic vitality of the county and its communities.
Our Vision for Economic Vitality…
In 2040, Genesee County is a top-five community in Michigan based on jobs, talent, livability, and equity
Indicators for Success
We measure our progress toward our vision across five indicators and our community scorecard
AVERAGE WAGES
↑ $957
Per week average wage for workers in the county (2021)
↓ 24nd
out of the 83 Michigan Counties
NET IN-MIGRATION
↓ 2,920
People moved out of Genesee County between 2016-19
78th
out of the 83 Michigan Counties
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
↑ 31%
of residents over 25 have a postsecondary degree
↓ 35th
out of the 83 Michigan Counties
GDP GROWTH RATE
↑ 1.17%
Growth in GDP between 2019-20 / state change
↑ 20th
out of the 83 Michigan Counties
FAMILY POVERTY RATE
↓ 12.9%
Families living below the poverty line (2021)
↓ 81st
out of the 83 Michigan Counties
COMMUNITY SCORECARD
7
Additional metrics tracking community progress over time without comparison. Includes topics like economic mobility, workforce participation, reading proficiency, and other.
*Indicators show increases or decreases from original scorecard published in 2019
Community Scorecard
Measuring the broader impact, ensuring greater equity
There are a broader set of statistics that will help the region monitor if the progress achieved over time is shared across all of the communities of Genesee County. This data can be tracked through the use of the community scorecard, organized by major topics of the plan.
Metric
Score
Description
Comparison
Source
Economic Mobility
5.9%
Fraction In Top 20% Based On Household Income When Born In The Bottom 20%
Economic mobility measures the potential for an individual born in a particular location to rise up the economic ladder in his or her lifetime. The underlying data was assembled through the pioneering Chetty Study of American Economic Mobility and utilizes the Opportunity Atlas to determine the score for Genesee County.
National median
10% of people
The Opportunity Atlas, Chetty Study of Economic Mobility
Median Household Income
$50,269
While personal income identifies each individual’s financial stability, there are many families who have more than one person providing income. Household income represents the figure for dual or multi-income families to support the financial needs of the group, covering the essential and non-essential expenses that impact the local economy.
$59,234
State Median
U.S. Census Bureau
Workforce Participation
55.8%
Percentage of residents currently employed or actively seeking employment
The Workforce Participation rate measures the percentage of people who are currently employed or actively seeking employment. This number in conjunction with the unemployment rate, represents the total labor force for the county.
61.4%
State Median
U.S. Census Bureau
3rd Grade Reading Proficiency
36.9%
Average 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency
Reading proficiency is measured across the state through the standardized tests offered each year. These tests evaluate educational areas including math, reading, and language arts from grades 3 to 8 through two different standardized test programs.
42.8%
State Median
MI School Data
SNAP Recipient Households
33,321
The number of households in Genesee County receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. A SNAP recipient household has one or more of the current household members that received food stamps or a food stamp benefit card during the past 12 months.
536,536
State Total
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Total Jobs
124,106
Job growth is the annual increase of people who are employed, either with a public, private, or personal business. This figure represents the total number of employees in Genesee County and the ability to expand job opportunities annually.
3,998,223
State Total
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Change in Number of Businesses
+1.45%
Number Of Establishments – Average Annual Change
Establishments are the single businesses that provide goods or services within a geography such as Genesee County. These businesses directly influence the economy providing jobs, services, and building revenue for the County and its communities.
+0.58%
State Median
U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
*Community Scorecard data is from 2020 unless otherwise noted
How will we achieve our vision…
STRATEGY A
TURN COMMUNITY CHALLENGES INTO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
In the Japanese art of jiu-jitsu, the fighter manipulates the opponent’s force against themselves and harnesses this threatening energy for good.
STRATEGY B
CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON BUSINESS ATTRACTION AND RETENTION
There is no predicting the future anymore. Disruption is the rule, not the exception. We wake up each day knowing our advantages and marketing them.
STRATEGY C
EVALUATE AND EXPAND TOURISM OPTIONS
However they find you, they remember something. Big or small, they take you back home with them. You’re in their head and someday that might matter.
STRATEGY D
GROW AND COORDINATE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
“It’s not an issue of ‘What’s missing?’, we have every community program you could imagine. For us, it’s about coordination, throughput, scaling. We need to take the next step, we need the 2.0’s”
STRATEGY E
BUILD GREAT PLACES
Genesee County is 650 square miles, there are 11 cities, 5 villages, and seventeen townships. From urban to rural, every lifestyle has a location in Genesee County, they all can, and should, be great.
STRATEGY F
INVEST IN 21ST CENTURY ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE
Fix the roads … and while we’re at it, invest strategically in the underlying infrastructure that will enable our next chapter and support our communities today and in the future.