The Forward Together process was launched in 2019 through a unique partnership between the City of Flint, Genesee County, and the Flint Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. 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 will measure our progress toward our vision across five indicators and our community scorecard
AVERAGE WAGES
$879
Per week average wage for workers in the county
22nd
out of the 83 Michigan Counties
NET IN-MIGRATION
↓1,000
People moved out of Genesee County in 2018
78th
out of the 83 Michigan Counties
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
31%
of residents over 25 have a postsecondary degree
29th
out of the 83 Michigan Counties
GDP GROWTH RATE
.88%
Growth in GDP between 2017-18 / state change
49th
out of the 83 Michigan Counties
FAMILY POVERTY RATE
15%
Families living below the poverty line
78th
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.
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.