Stakeholder Interviews To help guide the Genesee: Our County, Our Future planning document which will integrate topics of land use, housing, community development activities, transportation, environment, and other factors; GCMPC staff felt it was important to meet with the key Genesee County organizations and individuals early in the process. Stakeholders included representatives of social service agencies, community advocacy groups, state and federal agencies, public institutions, and Genesee County’s local elected officials. Over the course of two months and 100+ face-to-face interviews, staff gained a stronger depiction of Genesee County’s strengths, weaknesses, areas to improve on, opportunities to capitalize on, and an overall vision. The following topics on education, parks and recreation, economic development, housing, people, and infrastructure surfaced as the six core themes from the stakeholder interviews. Education: The secondary educational institutions within Genesee County were touted as a major asset for the region. Genesee County routinely attracts prospective students to the region to be educated, only to export much of that talent after graduation due to limited employment opportunities. Stakeholders feel that greater emphasis should be placed on connecting prospective graduates with the business community. Furthermore, positive marketing of the talent that exists could attract more industry. Stakeholders stated that overall, the K-12 school system is positive as it leads to the stability of the neighborhood and provides the community with a sense of identity. One area of concern in the K-12 school system is the school of choice framework. It was mentioned several times as
a hindrance to the identity of the community and could lead to a fractured community make-up. One education improvement would be a larger focus on the skilled trades sector and less pressure on students to attend a four-year university. Currently there is a shortage of trained workers in the skilled trades sectors. The medical field is also a booming industry. As Genesee County’s elderly population increases, so will the number of health field support positions. Some stakeholders even mentioned because of Genesee County’s strong agricultural heritage, communities should take this opportunity to educate the next generation of farmers. Genesee County is projected to lose 37% of farmlands, wetlands, and forested areas between 1978 – 2040 yet interviewees have stated their desire to retain the agricultural character. Stakeholders also mentioned programs offered county-wide including Head Start, Robotics, STEM, and various after school programs are all assets to the community. Parks and Recreation: Genesee County has a tremendous network of public land and facilities for recreation. Stakeholders spoke favorably about the park system as it currently exists. The community parks and open spaces provide areas where people can recreate, enjoy nature, and improve their quality of life. Over 11,000 acres of public park land and the 100+ mile network of non-motorized trails were repeatedly mentioned as one of the county’s greatest assets. By highlighting the county’s existing features, it may help eliminate the negative perception of the region, increase park utilization, and improve marketability.
Some stakeholders believe that there should be more focus on environmental stewardship county-wide. The Flint River Restoration Project in downtown Flint was listed by stakeholders as a step in the right direction towards improving our community's relationship with our natural resources. The vision calls for the rejuvenation of the river and riverfront through the creation of water-based recreational opportunities, park improvements, underutilized property redevelopment, enhanced community connectivity, ecosystem restoration, and improved storm water/flood control. Economic Development: Genesee County was once a manufacturing powerhouse. With the departure of manufacturing jobs over the years, many stakeholders believe the county needs to reinvent and diversify itself. It is projected that in the next 25 years, employment opportunities in Genesee County will experience a 36% increase in the services sector and a 12% reduction in manufacturing. The feeling among some stakeholders is the existing labor force is more than willing to adapt to fit new employment opportunities. Stakeholders mentioned that Genesee County communities are doing a good job but should do more to attract new industry and employers. Due to our centralized location, existing transportation network, proximity to an international border crossing, and new regional water infrastructure; the county should be an ideal place for commercial development. Stakeholders also feel that improving the connectivity of the transportation network is key to the movement of freight and generating economic development. Realization of the 2019 Dort Highway Extension project will provide that critical link and help to facilitate thousands of new jobs for the surrounding region. Furthermore, one of Genesee County’s regional hospitals is rapidly expanding their health campus adjacent to the new boulevard generating thousands of jobs over the next ten years. These projects will be a catalyst for economic development that will provide numerous employment opportunities and attracting new industry.
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Housing: A shared vision among Genesee County stakeholders is their desire to restore and maintain the existing housing stock. To do that, communities could offer incentives for the rehabilitation of sub-par housing stock. The opportunity to save on demolition costs, while also attracting new residents should be a consideration. Currently, 80% of the housing stock in Genesee County is comprised of single-family units. The lack of affordable housing options was identified unanimously by stakeholders as an area of weakness. One unique approach suggested to solving the affordable housing shortage is to construct "right-sized" homes that are cost-effective with minimal maintenance. On a municipal level, communities would need to revisit their zoning ordinances and future land use plans so that this type of development is not excluded.
Several stakeholders have mentioned that safe, accessible, and affordable housing, especially as it relates to the senior population, is in short supply. Current estimates indicate that 17% of Genesee County’s population is 65 and older, which is more than the State of Michigan average. It is also felt by some that the current stock of nursing homes and other assisted living facilities will not be able to keep up with future demand in addition to many seniors choosing to age in place. Although aging in place can be a positive experience for
the elderly, it does contribute to the limited supply of affordable housing options. There is a strong desire among interviewees to demolish blighted homes. The Genesee County Land Bank demolishes roughly 1,000 dilapidated structures per year within Genesee County at an average cost of $10,000 per demolition. The opportunity to eliminate blight, restore neighborhood aesthetics, create open space, and overcome a negative perception by visitors, and improve the quality of life for residents should not be overlooked. Most importantly these improvements provide a sense of security to the neighborhood. Many community members remember the thriving neighborhoods of the 60's and 70's and would like to see a return to safe and healthy communities. People: Perhaps the most frequently listed asset is the people. Genesee County currently has a population of 413,090 but has been steadily decreasing. Retaining population was a common sentiment among participants. The resilience of residents to face adversity and overcome seemingly insurmountable odds is what has fashioned the sense of pride and strong sense of community. The residents that have persevered through the General Motors bankruptcy and the collapse of the housing market and recent water crisis have incredible grit and determination, and are the ones working toward a positive difference. There is consensus that a highly trained labor force remains and is underutilized. This population of experienced workers may be an avenue of attraction for new employers. There is however a lack of trust between elected leaders and some residents. There is a perception that people in power are looking out for themselves not the people that they represent. Effective communication also seems to be lacking. There is a desire for strong leadership and government transparency. Infrastructure: Stakeholders feel that the current condition and sheer size of Genesee County's infrastructure has been both a blessing and a curse. Many feel that the infrastructure is more than adequate to meet the needs of the current population but has been neglected for
far too long. It is evident from the comments received that the aging water and sewer lines should be replaced, and recovery from the Flint water crisis will help mend the negative perception of the region. Stakeholders believe that opportunities will arise with the new regional Karegnondi water line, and others have stated that the Flint metropolitan area is unique in that only three water plants in the country produce equivalent amounts of water.
Road conditions were listed as an area of major concern for many interviewees. The cost to repair and replace crumbling roads was mentioned several times by stakeholders. The average cost per lane mile for full reconstruction is $1.6 million, while Genesee County's partner agencies receive only $16.6 million in grant funding to spend on road projects per year. Michigan ranks #4 in the U.S. for poor road conditions and Genesee County is #48 of the 83 counties. That said, the highways and airports are viewed by many to be major assets for the region and a possible avenue to attract investment if marketed appropriately. Genesee County sits at the confluence of three major highways – I-75, US 23 and I-69 that connects Michigan to Ontario, Canada. The Bishop International Airport (FNT), a critical transportation hub for Genesee County and the I-69 Thumb region, is a great asset to further promote. As the third largest airport in the state of Michigan, FNT has the capacity to expand services for transporting both cargo and passenger.
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Bridges and dams were mentioned by some to be areas of concern as well, as they are aging without a funding mechanism in place to meet maintenance needs. 35% of bridges are over 50 years old and the typical lifespan of a bridge is 70 years. Genesee County has 406 bridges. The cost to replace a 2-lane bridge is approximately $1.5 million. Others feel that the continued loss of population should prompt the County to “right-size” the existing infrastructure by reducing the size of the built environment. Others feel that some kind of tax should be put in place to keep pace with the maintenance obligations. Infrastructure improvements typically see a $1.43 return on investment for every dollar invested. The mass-transit system was listed more than once as a highlight of the County. The Flint MTA provides 1.9 million trips annually for employment to Genesee County residents; including 618,000 trips for medical services, and 290,000 rides for groceries. However, some feel that the current fixed routes are not meeting the needs of certain populations. Some stated that more routes to the out-county areas are needed to help residents reach employment sectors as currently 26% of residents commute outside of the county to work. Additional routes would also help potential consumers reach commercial nodes and improve quality of life. Finally, broadband infrastructure (i.e. high-speed internet network) was repeatedly mentioned as a necessity for an improved quality of life and the economic growth in communities. Genesee County’s broadband infrastructure was evaluated in 2015 by Connect Michigan, receiving a 93% community assessment score for overall broadband and technology readiness. One priority project identified during both stakeholder interviews and this Genesee County assessment is progress must be made to improve broadband speeds in rural townships. Summary: From the one-on-one discussions with stakeholders we heard what we are doing well, areas we could improve upon, and general comments on how Genesee County communities could further promote the region. Some of the community’s strengths including our wealth in public recreation opportunities can offer current and prospective residents with a greater quality of life. Weaknesses mentioned such as an aging infrastructure, loss of population, and affordable housing are not unique to Genesee County but the State of Michigan as a whole. Because of our rich history in manufacturing, a surplus of available workforce, several higher education opportunities, and strategic location to existing transportation infrastructure; our County is poised for future success. The following word cloud is our visual representation of common topics discussed during stakeholder interviews. For detailed information on the stakeholder interviews, see the attached appendix.
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APPENDIX Stakeholder Interviews
In April and May of 2018, staff went out and interviewed over one hundred local Genesee County community leaders and asked the following survey questions. These stakeholders included representatives of social service agencies, community advocacy groups, state and federal agencies, public institutions and local officials. These interviews helped to reveal Genesee County’s strengths, weaknesses, areas that need improvement, and opportunities that could move us all forward. Question 1 asked the respondents if they lived in Genesee County, and if so, to identify which community they lived in. For privacy, the answers to Question 1 are not included here. Question 2. What is your vision for Genesee County? (top 10 responses) Infrastructure 23 Need big employer/small business/industry/jobs 22 Roads / highway system/transportation 18 Economic development/retention/low‐impact 14 Safety / police / fire 9 Recreational opportunities/parks/trails 9 Facilitate growth 8 More entertainment/night life/amenities 7 Education opportunities/schools 7 Housing 6 Youth retention 6 Trust in leadership 6 1. Infrastructure Lack of Infrastructure for development Invest heavily in infrastructure is key Must fix all infrastructure More county and regional collaboration Foster a more functional relationship with all local units of government (Flint specifically) Rebuild the county from the City of Flint outward, the same way it was built Better roads and infrastructure – BIA good but bad impression once you go off of the property Local roads fixed (non‐federal aid, not subdivision) Bridges fixed Countywide line haul transit system Rebuild road and bridge infrastructure Optimize road network Right‐sizing of roads We need to stabilize the county and right‐size it. There are too many physical streets for maintaining services. The design was originally dense for a large population, but we don’t
need that now. How do we organize communities and downsize services? How do we get all these residents and businesses in one block? Also, Genesee County does have a strategic location, considering all our surrounding counties. There are many attractions in the counties near us, that would help attract people to mid‐Michigan. The counties are Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw and Saginaw Counties, and also places like Lansing and Port Huron. How do we take advantage of this location and create stronger connections? The best mode right now to get around is to use your car. Some people make the decision to leave the community when they get a good job that is too far for driving. But if there was a train to get to that job, then they could live here and commute by train to that good job. This is especially true for younger professionals. Improved roads to have an easily‐traveled community Inter‐connectedness so that you know you are still within Genesee County ‐continuity between communities Modernize infrastructure – operational improvements I would like to see state‐of‐the‐art infrastructure. Better infrastructure: roads, bridges, new water lines. More community spaces‐‐places like libraries are important for people needing somewhere to meet. More broadband infrastructure will continue to be important. We need to better manage sprawl to make the best use of open space. Work on the infrastructure. It’s old and decayed. There is no mass transit that really works. Only mass transit in the City of Flint. Expand the mass transit beyond City of Flint. Water crisis – water has been that way for a long time. Needs to be improved. Need recycling centers here in the area. Flint Water Plant – only three in the country that produce the amount of water that it does. This area is ready to explode. The infrastructure is here to attract people and business. See a huge need for year‐round recycling. There needs to be more access – we need a place where people can drop off stuff. Maybe create a partnership with local units of government. Year‐round would be great, but more than now. Short term‐‐we need to start repairing and maintaining the existing infrastructure including roads, bridges, water lines. It’s a chronic need that has become acute. Bridge on Grand Blanc road is a good example. We have not created a tax system that will provide for funding of this infrastructure. We have a great infrastructure – highways. We have a great water system here; natural fallout of the emergency manager system is to blame for water crisis. Governors making decisions in absence of technical knowledge. Use assessments to dictate decisions. One of the things my family and I have discussed is that many people think there is a central hub for resources and that simply isn’t the case. There is so much duplication. It would be nice to have one central source. There are a lot of great ideas and many people want to do great things, but people don’t know where the resources are, or that they even exist. Although, some have done a better job of taking care of their own communities. Flint has a bad rap. Better marketing would certainly help. Great additions with colleges and micro‐ enterprises to move ideas into the community and create. I’m troubled by self‐imposed segregation of poverty. There is an unbelievable amount of duplications. Too many jurisdictions. Each as its own fiefdom. There should be a County Executive. Why is Genesee County working differently? An executive that knows when a budget is due, when it’s enacted, would be helpful. I know how hard it is to work through some of the issues but there needs to be someone that really knows what is going on.
2. Need big employer/small business/industry/jobs Flint: need big employer Need more growth, long term lack of employment Talent retention Economic Development‐‐was a manufacturing powerhouse‐‐has to get new identity Commercial hub We need big companies to come here to Genesee County for the job fairs, so our young people can get these successful jobs Seeing local businesses, growth. Business is what drives the economy, and what we can do. Job growth and economic development. Attracting larger corporations. We have enough restaurants, coffee shops, we need larger companies. Business growth countywide‐‐Small Business‐‐ Industry Job retention – medical workers – support services for an aging population Connecting young people with businesses and industry I would like to see a booming economy We need diversification of manufacturing. Historically, Genesee County had higher wages due to auto industry. Need to grow industry to increase wages Ultimately, a place where people want to move to and love. We need industry and jobs. Good, well‐paying jobs Create jobs, bring jobs back to Genesee County. I’d like to see Genesee County compete for people to remain, or come for job growth. I graduated at a time when there was a recession and people were moving out after graduating to find jobs elsewhere. I’ve had discussions with the Chamber, the majority of the people we serve are employed. They are working 2‐3 part‐time jobs with no benefits. That is a big concern, we have too many working poor, so meaningful employment I guess is what I would like to see more of. Financial revitalization. There are people moving from an apartment complex for the third time in two years. It is so difficult to get stakeholders to buy in. It comes down to financial resources. Because of the rule changes that came to be because of the Affordable Care Act regarding full‐time employment, now you see a lot of people working part‐time jobs with no benefits and not enough hours to support themselves. More jobs. People are not going to come here unless there is sustainable employment. People are not going to come unless we have something to offer them. I’ve worked here for a long time. I hope it can percolate in the future for more jobs. There is a bad view of Flint. We’ve lost a lot of jobs. So if we can bring more jobs and investment, I think we can turn things around. The loss of population has really hurt the whole county and we’ve had to face significant challenges because of it. 3. Roads / Highway system / transportation Roads/Infrastructure County: Pushing business to Flint and the Dort Highway Extension area.
Highway system‐‐help facilitate growth in southern Genesee County Location/Transportation needs to be more utilized. Roads Budget Transportation Improvement Program funding ‐ look at how funds are distributed Countywide line haul transit system Need to be a transportation and employment hub Multimodal growth Airport is a key asset Right‐sizing of roads MTA has Rides to Wellness, but it’s hard for many folks to get to health services MTA is doing a good job. Your Ride is well‐used. We need to keep those. More interconnected – Flint as hub, transportation, specifically public transportation very important Transportation ‐ seeing a more unified system with trails and recreational opportunities. It is in the works, but needs to be sooner. In Burton, trails are not connected. Need to make things more walkable and bikeable. Belsay Road can be difficult regarding walkability. 4. Economic Development/retention/low‐impact Economic development retention No development proposed Maintaining what's here, get more business Chamber of Commerce moving business to City of Flint, Master Plan. Revitalization of economic opportunities for residents‐‐could be the Karegnondi Water Authority‐‐educational opportunities Energy costs related to growth and development could hinder development Township: low‐impact development near treatment plant Urban redevelopment (starting in Flint) Economically vibrant community Economic diversity‐‐ still auto‐centric Commercial hub Economic development‐was a manufacturing powerhouse‐has to get new identity Waterline has great economic development potential Be a leader in high‐quality water and waste services to accommodate development Recovery and growth‐‐opportunities have come out of water crisis and have laid the foundation for change Optimistic‐‐Get good value for community and economic development money‐‐More for your money here Want Genesee County to come back‐have seen it thriving and want it to get back to that Hope that the county and City of Flint continue to grow, things have started to turn around in a positive way in recent years. Recycling opportunities, restaurant opportunities, manufacturing opportunities.
I’d like to see a return to a point in time when we can produce items for outside consumption. Something that can bring outside resources back to the community. Something to help us be a productive community again. 5. Safety/Police/Fire County: safety issues Safe Stronger police presence in the City of Flint Public safety focus. Safety in general but also transportation safety I would like to see adequate police and fire protection That every community has access to be healthy in an equitable way. To have the opportunity to live in a safe community. Protect children and be an advocate. All children have the same opportunities. I feel safe in Flint, and it is growing 6. Recreational opportunities/Parks/Trails Parks funding Flint River needs to be more of an asset There are recreational opportunities here. It is close to tourist areas. Ultimately, I'd like to see a Grand Rapids type city. A walkable/bikeable community. Close feel and all connected. Better maintenance of the community. We will have many more parks and the Iron Belle Trail. It all starts at the basic level, a grassroots effort. Places for recreation/fitness are also important so our youth stay healthy. I want to see continued growth in Flint. Genesee County Parks system has a lot to offer, they could grow. The river is a beautiful resource, but has a bad name The River, a community that draws people to it, great recreation amenities, good services – good schools, good roads. These things attract empty nesters and young professionals. More green space I am trying to promote an active lifestyle for seniors, but also all people in general. I would like people engaged in activities that promote health and well‐being. I used to work with the young people and now I am focused on the older population. I would like to see opportunity for people to get out and enjoy recreational type activities. 7. Facilitate Growth Clio: revitalize downtown Revitalize Genesee County Outside of Flint: shopping areas/manufacturing/housing to service Township: Need more growth, residential, small business growth Get back to status of ‘60s/’70s ‐ top growth—commercial growth
Otisville: small growth‐‐small business A county that people want to live in with the services, jobs and support they need or want Growth, it can only go up in my opinion. It’s hit bottom, so there are opportunities to be had. To see it grow, the resources here are incredible. Seeing local businesses, growth. Business is what drives the economy, and what we can do. 8. More Entertainment/Night life/Amenities Different activities all around the County‐‐more entertainment/night life‐‐not drawing people in. Sustainable amenities for younger generations Walkable, pedestrian friendly amenities Improvement in resident's lives, expand their opportunities I would like to see a community where people feel they can stay, raise a family, have a job, and feel there are opportunities for growth, and meaningful interaction, so restaurants, jobs, entertainment. More restaurants, more night life. The Flint community is strong. The Cultural Center is great. They are improving the arts with bronze and glass. That is very forward thinking. Detroit went through the same process. Flint is a smaller version of that, and if Detroit can do it, Flint can too. 9. Education opportunities/Schools School districts suffering Flint: college town A focus on early childhood development Identify special needs early and ability to get kids the help they need We have a pretty good education system, but it needs improvement. Genesee County has lots of assets, educational institutions like Baker, Kettering, the University of Michigan, and Mott. There is a lot of brain power here. That could lend itself to economic diversity We need more educational opportunities and more career/job fairs with not only local but also state‐wide opportunities. We need big companies to come here to Genesee County for the job fairs, so our young people can get these successful jobs I see a vision where through mentoring and collaboration a real and genuine impact can be made in the lives of our youth that ultimately translates into change. I would like to see an expanded educational base and greater participation in the technology field by both students and residents. Also a greater commitment toward establishing medical facilities for job training and careers in the medical field. Education and research‐focused town, great college town, private and public education improvements – make it really special Having high‐quality academic opportunities and career preparation can help make the community better
10. Housing Housing Housing needed/housing choice Colleges and housing: focus on better roads – housing Residential‐‐newer multi‐family units integrated into community Vacant properties‐‐demolition issues – growth Reduction of blight‐‐code enforcement Recovery to the extent of the ‘70s and ‘80s when the area was prospering, neighborhoods were flourishing, homes were intact We need to be more friendly to affordable senior housing and transportation. Businesses keeping up with the aesthetics of their buildings, because they don’t do that. The housing is bad and is concerning and the next 20 years it will be very bad. The nursing homes and other facilities for seniors won’t be able to keep up. So more affordable senior housing is a must. 11. Youth retention Keep kids in area Sustainable amenities for younger generations Mt. Morris: stay afloat‐‐loss of population‐‐keep people here Young people coming back Young people want a place to live/work/play within walking distance Talent retention We are an exporter of talent High quality of life – A destination where people want to visit and live Quality of life to attract doctors and other professionals My vision for Genesee County is to see equal opportunity for everyone, maintain current census, and attract more people to the area. Focusing on our youth should help alleviate many issues. 12. Trust in leadership Lack of hope‐‐social Issue: lack of Income Renewed faith in decision makers to provide services to the residents (ex: water crisis) The Flint water crisis is affecting health care providers a lot—they are intimately involved with the water crisis. We need to restore trust and repair the water system. Any vision has to include a resolution for this. More regional cooperation among both local units of government and the state. For the townships and Genesee County: building a collaborative force of community leaders who work together to address issues and develop sustainable processes for fostering success. For the cities and Flint is to see more cooperation and trust, and a sharing of assets. More engagement between the city and the suburbs and a willingness to confront the tough issues of race and class.
For both the City of Flint and Genesee County: to see a greater cooperation between the county and the City of Flint in meeting the problems each face. Strong leadership in all of the senior centers. Would like our community leaders to start being more proactive rather than reactive. We may need one person in charge, a County Executive like Oakland County does. Issues with the Flint Water Crisis and the stigma that comes with that will go away. We need to be more positive and work together. More partners unified and working together towards common goals Need better relationships between agencies for seeking funding. Legislature and Genesee County Board of Commissioners should develop a system for funding. Taxes are unpopular but when you can’t cross a creek, you have a problem (referring to Grand Blanc Road bridge).
Question 3. What are the greatest existing assets and strengths? (top 10 responses) – Trends Colleges/schools/educational institutions 33 Parks/golf courses/recreation 30 People/residents/youth/resilience 28 Highways/airports 17 Existing infrastructure 17 Institutions/agencies/ partnerships 13 Location in general/proximity to city 12 Cultural center/ activities/events/arts 9 Safety/police/fire 9 Revitalization/economic development 7 Commercial corridors 7 Medical institutions 7 1. Colleges/schools/educational institutions Colleges assets‐‐all good schools Schools (Davison, Lakeville, Kearsley) Schools Schools create stability Public schools‐Robotics Programs‐the future of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Programs—technology‐based industry‐‐ higher education institutions. Trade programs/colleges are strong Education and medical community Genesee Intermediate School District has over 1,800 employees Educational opportunities are very good For Flushing, it is quiet with very good schools.
The greatest existing assets and strengths are the major universities‐‐ Kettering, University of Michigan‐Flint, Mott Community College, and Baker College. Network of colleges/universities Schools getting stronger Universities Educational opportunities Colleges and universities A lot of jobs available for skilled trades and college kids (college kids leave) Universities Colleges and Universities Michigan State University residency program For Grand Blanc Township‐‐the school system is good Educational opportunities are very good For Genesee County, the educational opportunities and the low cost of living A strong educational system Greatest assets are a strong academic and economic base Educational institutions Can become a college town‐‐schools getting stronger Good universities Colleges are a huge asset. Fenton Township ‐ ‐good school system in the area which makes it a desirable place to live. Grand Blanc ‐ ‐school system is excellent, opportunities for higher education. Scores are high. Academic opportunities are very good. Pretty much go to any college from Grand Blanc and be ready. In Clio, good schools Colleges without a doubt. Schools is the number one reason we moved to Davison. The school system. Goodrich ‐‐the school system is above average.
2. Parks/golf courses/recreation Parks Trails‐‐green infrastructure for generations to join together County parks, trail system, golf courses City‐‐parks need to be fully utilized Otter Lake: the lake. Genesee County: parks system, community works together‐‐ trailways Good park systems, plenty of nice recreation Lots of parks –‐ was surprised that these are city and county parks and not state parks Genesee County‐‐our parks system is very good
The amount of county and city parks that are available to residents. In the City of Flint specifically, a really strong art community Parks/trails county‐wide. In Clio, the park and amphitheater The city park Golf courses and parks, as these are my interest. Very safe, very inviting, with access to the parks. I never feel unsafe and am always happy to bring people to my community. I’m never afraid to leave my door unlocked. There are many open space areas throughout the county but the ones in my particular area are very nice. The parks are a nice draw for the county. City: parks (need to be fully utilized) Fenton: outdoor activities County and Flushing Township‐‐good park systems‐‐plenty of nice recreation‐‐people care about their health (outside being active, being healthy) Flint River Park and recreation services Park system We have lots of huge, open spaces and empty homes around the county We have all these parks, but we don’t use them because of the focus on technology. We lack funding to keep them up‐to‐date. Let’s involve the low‐income youth. They can’t afford to have or join a sports team. We have very nice, well‐kept parks. Our county has great parks We have nice parks, unique ones such as the Mounds Off‐Road Vehicle (ORV) area Genesee County – parks systems , I feel like it’s growing. Genesee County ‐ natural resources are an asset – lakes, rivers, recreational land. The trails. The trails in Flint Township, the Parks and Recreation Board has had a lot to do with that, getting that through Clio has great resources – community parks, walking and bike trails – you can go quite far, I’m not sure exactly how far, but they are quite extensive‐‐the city park Davison is a whole different perspective‐‐recreation, Lake Callis, parks The Poulos family donated the land for that new park that is opening in Atlas Township. Goodrich ‐‐parks and recreation, helps with community building, people are able to interact, talk, socialize The colleges definitely bring more people into the community 3. People/residents/youth/resilience The grit and determination of the population. The labor and trained individuals that could propel us forward if given the opportunity. There are many that have gained knowledge and experience through General Motors, etc. but we are single‐minded. This is an incredibly generous population. Village: residents‐top asset, close‐knit City: people/residents ‐ everyone knows each other Otter Lake asset‐the people, supportive
Community works together Strong planning department (many counties don’t have any or as good a planning dept as the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission (GCMPC) Under‐utilized labor force Strong sense of community, vocal community Lots of people working towards change We have a good budget and good people. There is a sense of community here—a lot of people are proud to be from Flint. Communities have been brought together by the water crisis Thetford Township‐‐a vibrant senior center, small town flavor, and a closeness that comes with everyone pulling together Greatest assets are resilience, a highly skilled work force, and for Flint Township in particular‐‐ steady leadership In each community there is a resilient spirit of grass roots and diverse leaders who refuse to be overcome with negativity and self‐defeatism. Greatest assets are still community pride The greatest assets are the people of both Flint and Genesee County. The people are determined and community‐minded and are not intimidated by the challenges that they are faced with. Pride of place‐‐ Flushing doesn’t see/care/understand why it is important for the City of Flint and the county as a whole to do well Lot of experience – have people with skills‐‐there are people trying to make things happen and they know each other‐‐resilient people I see a lot of young professionals that want to be here. Those living downtown. At the county level, I would say the tenacity of the people and their resilience. In Atlas Township of those people who are proactive, they're very passionate. They want to see improvement. Countywide our greatest existing asset is the people. People care about this community. They can be very giving. People in our county want to do the right things but the higher ups in charge won't allow things to change. There seems to be a big influx of young adults coming to the area and wanting to stay here which will be good for the community. People are all about supporting the community Our spirit. We’re a community of caring people, and that was displayed when the water crisis broke. You really saw the different aspects of the community come together. It really showcased the American spirit. That was nice to see. There’s a lot of good people here. Cultural Center‐‐spirit of the people. Resilient people. People are wanting to take care of each other. The Cultural Center is the absolute core for the resiliency. Resilient county even after General Motors leaves. Found other sources of income. Resilient county County‐‐people are resilient
County‐‐strong community feel—you get to know your neighbors which is not always the case in Detroit, for example Skilled labor force A lot of revitalization—a lot of people acting as champions Longevity of residents Resilient community that never throws in the towel—people committed to Genesee County‐‐even if they leave, people keep a connection and have pride in our county Resilient community Have population to get people into workforce People are all about supporting the community Otisville—seems to be older community, but people are starting to work together well. The people that are doing business are resilient and believe in the City of Flint and Genesee County People‐‐there’s a resilience amongst the people, especially the people I deal with. They’ve lived through tough times. People my age and older have been affected by the downturn in the economy. Their kids have grown and left the state but these people have stayed and persevered. As for Clio people‐‐ditto to what I’ve already said Clio‐‐we have a cohesive community. Community‐‐ the people are very welcoming. I’ve lived other places where the people were not so welcoming. The people don’t leave Davison. The core service people, teachers, emergency responders, fire people, they have stuck around and have a willingness to serve their community. There is a lot of pride in community. People want to overcome the problems, but lack the resources. Genesee County has that civic pride that you don’t see elsewhere. There is a community spirit of, let’s not let this problem beat us down. The people are resilient. The people that couldn’t leave, or didn’t leave, the ones that remain, are very generous people. What people are able to give, they do. Goodrich –‐there is lots of money. You have the community connectedness because it is so small. Certainly the people. In Burton, there is a core of people that are hard workers. Lots of working class folks.
4. Highways/airports Proximity to highways/airports ‐‐location in general Clio: Flint and Saginaw, near I‐75 Existing Infrastructure to be used is a big positive Good highway access. Transportation‐‐Bishop International Airport (BIA) BIA is the jewel of the community Major freeways and interstates Infrastructure such as I‐69, I‐75, US‐23 plus roads in general Transit Infrastructure I‐69, I‐75, US‐23
Infrastructure I‐69, I‐75, US‐23 There is a legacy road system—the interstates are a great asset. Transit – especially medical Countywide, I would say highway infrastructure and transportation Genesee County ‐‐we are a part of the I‐69 corridor. We aren’t utilizing it though, at least in Flint
5. Existing infrastructure You really wouldn’t expect the caliber of the facilities for the reputation. Water Flushing—trails‐‐green infrastructure‐‐streets are the best in the county‐‐use a portion of tax funds. Existing infrastructure to be used is a big positive Infrastructure ingrained in township How to attract and retain younger generation‐‐trails County parks, trail system, golf courses, airport‐‐townships: Shopping, airport, small parks, Koegel’s Green space More avenues to travel by train Township‐‐water supply‐‐low water rates‐‐ have own municipal system Goal‐‐ infrastructure, use resources wisely. Nice older architecture Active rail Non‐motorized connectivity within the City of Flint Infrastructure – interstate, rail, power, natural gas, water, electrical Also, the water delivery system is an asset. Carriage Town—One asset is the quick accessibility to public transit. In North Flint, you might have a long bus wait. For Genesee County, there are great historic buildings. There is so much potential. I see strengths, but we are so busy focusing on other things. Also happy that we have a public transit system and a bike‐share system. Genesee County – ‐excellent sewage disposal system and we need to maintain that (all the piping and plant in Montrose and satellite plant in Linden). The county has developed skill sets to manage the sewage system. Water system – getting water from Detroit made sense because the Flint River was unpredictable. Jeff Wright and the Genesee County Board of Commissioners deserve credit on bringing in water from Detroit and building their own system. We have good access to natural gas and electricity. Long term, good things will happen because of the infrastructure. With climate change, Michigan will be a desirable place to live.
6. Institutions/agencies/partnerships Resources available within the county Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) affiliation‐‐tight knit group Good planning, commissioners Good library system‐‐MTA provides service County assets‐‐cooperation between local units of government—strong Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission (GCMPC) GCMPC City of Flushing assets—the Department of Public Works is the best in the county Good institutions in BIA and MTA County park system Flint Farmers’ Market Having 911 facility in Genesee County MTA Partnerships between agencies GCMPC staff Foundations (Mott) The county has a very responsive Emergency Management Department. They have been great in assisting us when we needed them Flint Township is well managed. There is not a lot of petty politics. They have a good budget and good people. Cultural center that rivals much larger cities The greatest assets are the agencies that provide assistance to a large number of underserved individuals, despite decreasing funding and support. Major institutions – colleges and universities and hospitals Collaboration across sectors – after water crisis—agencies coming out of silos Banks used to be better community partners‐‐improving with Huntington Bank and Community Development Financial Institutions Churches with great followings and trying to make great communities again In Clio the Downtown Development Authority We as a county have a lot of legacy costs but we also have a lot of legacy assets such as the Cultural Center, Flint Farmers’ Market County‐wide we have a good group of core agencies. And a good foundation of service providers to build upon. Great relationships between administrators. In Grand Blanc the senior centers work well. Connections among agencies and not duplicating services county‐wide. In the City of Flint, the United Way is a strong asset The news/media that tends to focus on the positives. Existing relationships with the Michigan State University Extension to educate the community Genesee County Community Action Resource Department is a great asset for families in our community, they provide a wide variety of resources to get people what they need. Our county has great libraries
Great program with latex paint. Habitat for Humanity is doing great things. I think the Chamber of Commerce does a nice job I wish Flint Township would work better with Genesee County The senior centers of course, throughout the county. I think our network of volunteers, churches, organizations, people willing to help each other. In Burton ‐ It has a very strong first responder personnel, and there is a strong council that wants to move the city forward. And even though General Motors has a footprint, they still have the potential to be a partner, but I don’t think it will ever be the same. 7. Location in general/proximity to City of Flint County‐‐gets big town attributes from being close to Flint Good highway access. Good place to live‐quiet‐safe—the county has all the assets we need Good location (crossroads of two main highway corridors), good for collaboration On the map – Flint is a premier city in the state due to its automobile history and involvement, Flint is redeveloping its infrastructure which means they will be ready for new opportunities County is at a great crossroads close to natural resources (close to Great Lakes) Strategically located but doesn’t use it to its full potential City of Flushing assets‐‐location Access to other industries (location, roads, airport, etc) Location in the state‐‐I‐69/I‐75 For Grand Blanc Township‐‐it’s close to the expressway. Our county’s location is one of our greatest assets. We have to communicate that carefully for different audiences For Flushing, it is a quaint, friendly community with its own downtown, museums, and services. It is not on the expressway—it takes a while to get there. Proximity to “hot spots”‐‐Cultural Center, Flint Farmers’ Market, colleges It’s centrally located, proximity to other cities Location – proximity to expressways. You have quick access for work, fun. Accessibility is key. We are in close proximity to Great Lakes. Location. Grand Blanc – close to the Detroit area. Good freeway access. In Clio ‐‐ we go to Flint to do our shopping, get our entertainment. The proximity to the main, but enough distance away to be out of the City of Flint. 8. Cultural center/activities/events/arts Entertainment venues/festivals County‐‐cultural activities, entertainment Flushing‐‐community events – fun days, winter events, carnival, river walk Family entertainment such as summer concerts, Back to the Bricks, the Crim Festival of Races.
In the City of Flint specifically, a really strong art community In Flint, the downtown and cultural area. I see a lot of young professionals that want to be here. Those living downtown The Cultural District, University of Michigan‐Flint, the Flint downtown area Cultural amenities County fair A lot of kid‐friendly things to do. Grand Blanc –‐ music in the park, food truck event, downtown Grand Blanc‐‐ you can walk around. Outdoor eating. Quaint hometown feel In Otisville‐‐youth football programs are starting In Clio‐‐community events Flint Cultural Center
9. Safety/fire/police Good Department of Public Works—snow plowing Township strengths—rural, nature and safety Township police and fire department Clayton‐‐police department Fenton‐‐safe Low crime in communities outside of Flint For Grand Blanc Township‐‐the police services are good Flint Township‐‐public safety is good. In Linden – it’s safe, I feel quiet. 10. Revitalization/economic development Storefronts are full City of Flint: Bring in more business‐‐ tearing down homes. Lots of investments in downtown Flint and Fenton The downtown is more vibrant now—things to do, places to eat. Outreach for economic development is good. Re‐making of downtown Flint. Demolitions very positive and productive to clean up neighborhoods Buick City commercial development Resources coming from water crisis (Head Start and other programs will help identify disabilities earlier or that may have gone un‐diagnosed) A lot of rebuilding is happening in recent years, people are making improvements to their homes, old buildings such as Capitol Theatre being renovated. There is a lot of open space with the potential for development. Fast food restaurants, trendy restaurants are coming in. We are keeping up with other counties. Grand Blanc is building, expanding as well‐‐gas stations, stores, restaurants.
Growing (population‐wise), great commercial, industrial base here. A lot of opportunity. Areas growing, helping business In Otisville, new developments are being accepted. Auditorium was resisted at first, but it was accepted after a while Issues with shopping complexes all over the place that may go out of businesses. In the last ten to fifteen years, there has been more broad industry. Genesee County understands that without industry, we tank. We need to have a variety of industry. Industry is needed. Fenton Township is a bedroom community. That end of the county is growing faster than the rest of the county, but this will require water and other infrastructure. Need to figure out political ramifications Grand Blanc has good control over their downtown development. It’s not like Dort Highway. The new construction in the southern areas of the county. It’s a boom, new construction, new jobs, between things to do in Fenton Township, and Grand Blanc, the lakes are a good point. There’s a new energy now. 11. Commercial corridors County has great transportation sector (I‐75/I‐69 intersection) which could benefit agricultural byways Commercial corridors like Miller Road Lots of efforts to bring in business Flint Township‐‐we have a good retail base. In the city it would be the abundant land and commercial property available. 12. Medical Institutions County‐‐medical side of education Genesee Health Plan Education and medical community Medical facilities Good medical system Strong network of hospitals Genesee County—health care is a gem in this community. There are three major hospitals and a number of healthcare facilities. We have federally‐qualified health care centers. All these are a real credit to our community. Medical facilities Hospitals The Genesee County Community Mental Health for adults.
Comments: Davison is growing and most of what a person needs can be found in the community. (x2) Grand Blanc—We have good housing, good shopping areas, Wal‐Mart, Sam’s, a General Motors facility, so we have employment, and a nice, safe place to live. It is a good, mid‐to‐high‐income community. For Carriage Town, there are a lot of things you can do by walking—you can walk to the grocery store, walk to work, walk to businesses and restaurants. It is also close to the University of Michigan‐Flint, social events, the gym. It’s a good example of an interconnected neighborhood. We need to strategically identify the real areas of opportunity in our county and connect them. How far should any resident live from a park or a grocery store? For the East Side—We have one expensive grocery store. We don’t have great assets! Low vacancy rate of habitable houses Major road network located near us. Disposal capacity is good. Recycling opportunities. The future of Genesee County—a hub and spoke for recycling. Markets are going to dictate a large volume of the facilities. Cost of facilities is high for a materials recovery facility, etc. If we are going to double statewide recycling rate – we need to be mindful of both sides of the equation. Every component of the business needs to be viable. Plastics for car parts, tire rubber for car parts. Recycle liquor bottles. Recycle containers. Community has come together. Appreciate new ideas. Gotten better in the past ten years Question 4. What are the key weaknesses and threats you see in Genesee County?
(top 10 responses) crumbling infrastructure/lack of infrastructure negative perception / City of Flint job loss/lack of jobs/industry competing for money/no money roads elected officials/communication/dysfunction/transparency/trust crime older homes/business/blight population/youth leaving/lack of population/aging population quality of schools poverty
19 18 17 16 15 14 13 11 11 10 8
1. Crumbling infrastructure/lack of infrastructure City of Flint‐‐Infrastructure is biggest in Genesee County. Village of Otter Lake‐‐No water system. Sewer system assessment is very high Roads/infrastructure Costs for water in Flint hold business back Public transportation needs City of Flushing ‐‐ high taxes – city services people in Flushing Township but those residents don’t help with costs of the services State not addressing infrastructure funding needs Lack of investment in infrastructure‐transportation‐water infrastructure Infrastructure in bad shape Bad infrastructure Flint has a lot of area and infrastructure to service but not a lot of money and people for size – not able to maintain the community Pavement and bridge condition Funding for infrastructure Genesee County‐‐our infrastructure is a problem. Genesee County—our transportation is a problem. There is no way to get around from Grand Blanc if your car is broken. You have to have a car to live there. Many people need assistance to get to a fixed bus route Lack of adequate public transportation The lingering water crisis County‐wide, I would say we have a lot of suburbs that don't have connectivity other than by car. We need more people close to each other which will benefit society as a whole. Otisville ‐‐not enough houses on the road for Charter Cable to put cable. Not enough people living in the area – would like to see more people coming to the area. Burton – poor parks system. Not good infrastructure. Mundy Township – that same issue exists across the county. The investment into infrastructure. We need to fix roads, bridges, pipelines. Debt load of the City of Flint and crumbling infrastructure make Flint an unattractive place for new businesses. No answer for how to fix that. Fenton Township – don’t have much of a park system or bike trail system. With the southern end of the county growing, they need to act now to acquire Right of Ways. Since 1960, people want to build houses rather than other amenities. Need mass transit to Oakland County. I would like to see them get more businesses in. There are a lot of them south of here that would benefit us. There’s no rhyme or reason as to why a business closes and moves two miles down the road and opens again. We have enough strip malls. We need more businesses to draw people here. Everyone likes to shop. Like IKEA, and those kinds of places. People come from all over to shop those kinds of places.
2. Negative perception / City of Flint Perception of community Perception from Flint Genesee County‐‐perception related to the land issues, may deter future development. Fighting a bad reputation Perception – kids think there are no jobs Townships‐‐complacency of residents. Some communities don’t want Habitat for Humanity to build there (Clio) due to the clientele they serve Negative perception of community from outsiders ‐ BIA is nice but get negative feeling once off the property. Have a hard time promoting the area. Flint has a negative perception – water, crime Negative perception of Flint Self‐defeating attitude Reputation of Flint is bad. Businesses and institutions have to battle against this reputation. People getting bogged down in their own issues to work toward a common goal in the bigger picture And Flint and Genesee County have a reputation (crime, poverty, lack of attractions). We have problems recruiting physicians and specialists because of this. You are coming here because you are mission‐driven, or you have family here, etc., not because it is like Ann Arbor for example. Lack of pride in property and self Publicity on violence and crime Water crisis – whole county was impacted‐ negative perception effects all of Genesee County In the City of Flint, the stigma (violence, water) and building positive relationships. The Flint perception and label that is attached if you live in the surrounding communities Perception‐‐ there are reasons residents should be proud of their community but can't be with strangers. Also issues with Flint water creating a bad image for us. Genesee County –‐entitlement. People feel that they are owed something. The image of Flint is its biggest hinderance which directly affects Genesee County. There is too big of a focus on the City of Flint The perception of Flint overshadows everything. The water situation is still giving a bad perception. The college enrollment numbers are way down because of it. The abhorrent poverty, the crime, the root cause of the problem. People need to wake up and realize Flint will never be the size it was. In Linden, still has a bit of a poverty problem. People are so focused on Flint they sometimes don’t see the problems exist elsewhere.
3. Job loss/lack of jobs/industry Flint: has effects on Clio ‐‐ loss of jobs. Demographic decline, quality of schools, limited resources, older homes, mostly low‐to‐moderate income Lack of Jobs ‐‐ impacts of housing loss Stagnant wages/low wages‐‐work hours Economic weaknesses throughout the county (loss of manufacturing base) Richfield Landfill closed, something needs to happen (makes a good case for solid waste reduction and management) Struggling to replace General Motors Village‐‐no growth, budget the same. Fenton ‐ store vacancies (Silver Lake Parkway – are we overbuilt with on‐line shopping being a big trend) Clio ‐‐ better planning around small downtowns (there is nothing left in some small communities – on‐line commerce affecting stores) Not having a downtown that is easy to get to, beautiful and has a reason for people to visit Economic development is behind the times – still manufacturing‐focused and auto‐ centric High unemployment Loss of economic base (loss of manufacturing) Underemployment and unemployment‐‐it is hard to attract doctors and specialty doctors to the area‐‐jobs to keep educated people here Flint Township‐‐we have to make sure the retail sector does not get over‐built. We need to keep our buildings full—for example, now Toys ‘R’ Us is going. Companies are moving out of Genesee County, so we are losing employment. This has taken a significant toll on the community. For Genesee County, there is a lack of economic diversification, and there is a lack of the ability to diversify. The county has not been able to reinvent itself yet. The economic activity we see here and there has not led to a great deal of jobs. For Flushing, don’t industrialize it. It would lose its charm. Lack of adequate shopping and grocery stores. This also applies to Thetford Township as well. Food deserts in parts of the City of Flint. Job market – inability to keep talent here, Jobs in general No good jobs and the need to diversify. In the City of Clio, the businesses downtown and their need to invest into their storefronts. Motivation to improve. Funding and turnover of staff across all social services. Duplication of services specifically in non‐profits. Union wages making costs too expensive. Need for more jobs in the area (Flint). Small companies are being affected negatively by the Genesee County Land Bank and how they demolish houses. Need to pay in phases instead of paying at the end (once grass is growing). Need to utilize more local companies for work being done in Genesee County.
Genesee County‐‐seems like only offices are wanted here. Large corporations are not as accepted. Are not open to large job growth and economic development. Lot of complaints with how things are done in regard to this. There is one General Motors factory, but don’t want others. Are not keeping up with Oakland County as far as large corporation retention Grand Blanc –‐not open to large corporations. Don’t seem to be attracting as much economic development as Oakland County 4. Competing for money/no money City of Flint/Genesee County‐‐sharing services/competing for same money Township‐‐funding issues, no commercial business‐lower value/lower tax base‐not a lot of surplus funding Township‐‐concerned about money related to building safety and police and fire ‐ lack of municipal water lines to fight fires in the township Revenue Financial condition of the City of Flint (primarily) Genesee County‐‐possibility of funding decreased or eliminated from Federal level Not enough money to maintain Funding cut backs Wage stagnation Eroding middle class Major threats and weaknesses are racial tensions, persistent poverty Absence of federal dollars Threat of the elimination of the Community Development Program Depreciating values (property taxes went down this year, need to be on the rise) Investment in wrong area,s or focused on downtown only, creating a bubble; looking into other areas of the city Pension‐based economy – keeps businesses and restaurants going, but need to build on that; aging population – when the person is gone the pension/money is gone Poorest community in the country (used to be 2nd highest) Low wages/not competitive with other nearby counties (south) Funding. Genesee County ‐the funding that is available needs to be wisely invested for the most valuable returns (i.e. the infrastructure). Through balanced budgets, without huge taxation, we must figure out how to fix roads. Hopefully we learned our lesson, that if we tax an industry to a certain extent, they are going to leave. Probably lack of resources, opportunities, poverty. Lack of community resources. Without resources, communities suffer. 5. Roads Roads/infrastructure Roads are biggest issue/the way funding is appropriated Revenue –Genesee County Road Commission (GCRC)‐‐local roads and funding
City of Flint roads‐‐need more funding Transportation – roads are in bad condition Roads ‐ money ‐ GCRC ‐ Act 51 needs to be re‐done. Bad roads Transportation is weak‐‐MTA Service, no access. Transportation – roads are in bad condition The road system needs an incredible amount of repairs. And transportation—how do you get around Genesee County without a car? We need fewer roads with fewer cars, so how about a train? When I went to Europe, it was amazing! Trains connect to all of Europe. That type of interconnectivity is what we need. Transportation available to get back and forth to where the jobs are Genesee County ‐‐ roads are terrible. Bent rims from pot holes. We need better roads. Understand there is salt and cold winters.
6. Elected Officials/communication/dysfunction/transparency/trust Separation and dysfunction of Flint from the surrounding communities Communication amongst elected leaders. Lots of assets but nobody talks because of location. Better served with county government (redistrict everything) Dysfunctional City of Flint government Perception that people in power are looking out for themselves not the people that they represent Some of the major threats and weaknesses are political division Lack of communication Racial distrust Lack of innovation to solve important social and economic problems. Racial discord Agencies do not communicate with each other and often work in silos. Government officials (city and county) not making good decisions Need to work together Lack of trust with people of authority In the City of Flint, the new master plan is ready to be enacted but our community leaders still have an old way of dealing with issues. Also we are built to be a large city but can't support it anymore. Government transparency to citizens. Public trust is not there. The City of Flint seems to be always dependent on large donors/foundations to take care of basic services. The higher‐up people aren't willing to take input ‐ it's my way or the highway. People in charge have big egos and are stuck in their comfort zones. Change is hard for them.
Genesee County ‐‐ people are tired of the same thing, we need new people with new ideas. Political will needs to change, and need to agree on more. Committees in place are not represented well by outside communities. Getting other communities to the table is difficult. Most groups are primarily representative of Flint. Not good at working with other agencies to get funding. City is hard to work with. City needs to partner better with community. Lack of trust in leadership. It’s becoming systemic. At this point, it’s all levels of government. Folks are frustrated and fed‐up. They’re working in the trenches to make things better but not getting the support they need. Lack of leadership in key areas. Too many people take meetings to take meetings, and do not move forward or change anything. They have the same conversations over and over. Goodrich – lack of diversity, no vision. No Master Plan. The structure of governance, the leadership in the City of Flint. The generations of bad decisions. You also need to have the right governance, and right individuals in the right seats.
7. Crime
Public safety costs are crazy Genesee County‐‐employment, crime Genesee County ‐‐money for police department Poverty and crime Everyone in the county should have quick access to police and fire protection. The Flint water crisis is a huge threat to all affected by it. The County Health Rankings (part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) issues county health rankings for the whole country. Genesee County is always at the bottom of Michigan’s counties. Until the water crisis clears, it will stay low. Now there are water crisis lawsuits also. Threats – violence, drugs, crime Crime rates, opioids, water often underlying reasons for issues Can’t pass a drug test – some employers no longer requiring it unless necessary Crime is the largest threat. Crime and safety were bad, but are starting to improve. Otisville ‐‐ there are some people doing small crimes, but not much. Lots of crime and blight in Flint Township as well Lack of police security, not enough for the need. 8. Older homes/business/blight Defunct subdivisions Blight Aging equipment for fire department Thetford Township‐‐ blight problem
Lots of abandoned homes in Flint that are not livable We need affordable housing for lower‐to‐middle‐income people. For Genesee County‐‐there is a lack of pride. If we were prouder, we would not let it get to where it is now. Sometimes it’s not even the people in the community dumping trash in empty houses. I have seen people in SUVs drive through and dump their trash in an abandoned house. We can’t keep up with these abandoned houses. The Genesee County Land Bank process to buy one of these houses is too long! I tried it once, and it was more than two years. The Land Bank should reconsider the process. For the East Side of Flint—abandoned houses and dumping. Declining housing stock Lack of code enforcement in the City of Flint High vacancy rate Accessible housing, lack of available housing Safer senior housing in the City of Flint and the solution is not just closing them. Making sure seniors have access to core services. Landfills, we have two major ones that are an eyesore and don’t smell good. Blight, vacant houses are a huge concern in Flint. Not too bad in Grand Blanc. In Burton there are vacant houses, garbage floating around, needs to be disposed of. We have a huge lack of nice affordable housing 9. Population/youth leaving/lack of population/aging population Population loss in the City of Flint Kids leaving Flushing‐‐older community – need more families there Losing young talent Need positive role models for kids to help break the negative cycles People are leaving the county. Young people can’t find good jobs, and the elderly are retiring. Retiree flight. Large population of people moving out. Many folks are moving outside the community to work because the pay is higher elsewhere. The same exists in Burton, specifically people leaving because of pay, unless it is the service/hospitality industry. Burton also lost population because they missed out on funding. 10. Quality of schools There is a weak link between education and businesses. Need to make more connections For Genesee County‐‐public education and transportation! We don’t have a consistent quality of education. There are twenty‐one school districts. We need to right‐size the community again. Do we really need all these school districts? We need a consistent flow of individuals who can meet the needs of 21st century businesses. Scarcity of educational opportunities for the disenfranchised, and a talent drain. Educational system that is broken
Fractured school system. Loss of quality education Kindergarten through Grade 5 education (must get it right, if not we will fail) Low education/low performing schools (not just Flint) Lack of diploma (education in general), Lacking skills to meet employer needs Equalization of resources between all schools in the GISD School of Choice has hurt our sense of community. The students who have the resources to go to a better school do, leaving behind the less fortunate. Families living in the same neighborhood might all go to different districts and this takes away the sense of community. Grand Blanc ‐‐ schools are getting over‐populated. Education is a huge issue. Elementary school on up, it is a debacle and it’s sad. People don’t know how to shake a hand – you get one first impression and if you’re not presentable, it’s not good. Lack of education, values. Family issues are making things negative. Genesee County ‐‐ education in certain areas (Flint). Flint board of Education is doing the best they can with what they have, but it’s tough. They need more funding, and they are servicing a population that does not have more to give financially. State funding should help urban schools, but suburban schools are doing fine Retention of talented graduates. There are so many students, but nowhere to work.
Comments: For Grand Blanc Township—no issues really come to mind. Grand Blanc—No issues come to mind. It is not a large community, there are no malls. It is a safe, small community. For Carriage Town—A big threat is gentrification. Just like the “White Flight” of the ‘60s and ‘70s, when the white community left, it took all its wealth with it. Now younger folks are buying homes. Gentrification can push out the existing community. What happened to the folks who used to live there and congregate at the corner? Where’s the diversity? There are no issues in Flushing and no political issues. Grand Blanc‐‐Also, I’m a foodie, so I think Grand Blanc has a lack of cultural representation regarding food, but also the arts, cultural events, etc. Topics such as mental health and home‐bound citizens are too often overlooked. Public transportation. There is significant aging population. There is reluctance to use the public transportation. The stops are positioned poorly. They are always in a three‐foot snow bank. It’s not user friendly. There is a security issue. Females don’t use it. Your Ride is unreliable. Public transportation. Ed Benning is a wonderful man and he is doing a great job! So I don’t blame him. Downtown parking is way less than adequate. It acts as a cap for local businesses for growth. There is a lot of potential and history, but it’s like the community doesn’t recognize itself, doesn’t believe in itself. Parking and transportation haven’t been addressed. It’s not cohesive. Groups don’t know who is doing what.
All the abandoned housing, complexes, throughout. The blight is horrible! I see these rows of abandoned houses, it’s mostly focused in the City of Flint and Mt. Morris but it is spread out. You try to take different routes to avoid the bad areas. You see these nice areas with burnt‐out houses next to it, and you feel bad. I don’t know who is in charge but we should just knock it down, make it green space. I am fortunate it is not that bad in my area. Flushing – I think because Flushing has the highest senior population in the county, and in Michigan if you compare apples to apples, there are senior centers popping up all over. Keeping seniors in their homes is the best thing to do. It’s cheaper, more comfortable, easier on everyone and what you see is these nice facilities popping up and people pushing the seniors into these places which exhausts the Medicare and Medicaid quickly. Then you’re left with an empty house, and expensive seniors to care for. Where are the resources to keep seniors in their homes, to help with maintenance because they can’t do it? So there is a real need to solve, and I don’t know how you do it. There are problems all the time about the high‐rise apartments behind Linden and Lennon, about slumlords, bed‐bugs, and crime. It used to be nice. We also can’t expect the children to take these seniors in. The county would be wise in trying to figure out a way to help the seniors find a way to live comfortably to the end of life. It’s a real problem, especially for people with dementia. It’s expensive to pay for 24‐hour care and these places that must care for them smell, and you don’t ever want to think you would have to send a loved one to a place like this.
Question 5. What are the biggest opportunities you see for the future of Genesee County? In your community? Economic development incentives/growth Medical marijuana dispensaries ‐‐ there are big opportunities with medical marijuana to use for funding. Revenue and growth. Real estate prices are affordable compared to other states Many good cities with the opportunity to re‐invent their downtowns Dort Highway Extension will attract more business Increase in employment opportunities at places like the Lear Corporation, and neighboring counties such as Lapeer and Shiawassee. In the City of Flint, the biggest opportunity is Buick City for office space and industry. Continued growth and new development should make the community safer. Niche businesses will make Genesee County unique and attractive. Colleges/schools/education Development of talent at the universities Desirable school systems overall Consolidating education locally within our county that allows all kids to get what they need. Get kids better prepared for jobs, also jobs in other counties Turn the water crisis into educational opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers or environmental quality careers Greatest opportunities are the Flint Promise Program, the Flint Chamber of Commerce, the Flint Children's Defense Fund, Summer Freedom Schools. Healthy Start Program being expanded which will help future generations
Opportunity with agriculture county‐wide and educating the next generation on how to farm, even in the urban communities Need more funding and resources for schools Universities are doing a great job with growth and commitment to surrounding areas. Help with safety, blight, economic development. Population retention/youth attraction Offer housing for seniors which will in turn free up quality homes for others to buy Attraction to live and work in downtown There are a lot of smart people committed to improving Genesee County Our county isn’t attracting younger people. There is an aging population. They will need home health care or options to institutional health care. Inclusive city where immigrants and diversity are cherished The city and county have worked together to get rid of homes. There are areas where blight has been removed that look nice – attracts business, young people. Transportation/public transportation/MTA/airport/rail Existing trails provide residents a mode of transportation Two major railroads cross – very rare We need more roundabouts to get people moving more efficiently Many residents have the option to use transit to get to jobs/school Transportation is getting better but still more opportunities, especially across county lines ‐ transit agencies need to be better at working together Bishop Airport and potential international connections Bike Share program needs to expand beyond the City of Flint Infrastructure Consumers Energy new gas line Lack of infrastructure in smaller communities Broadband/fiber expansion/development within right‐of‐way Flint will have a lot of new infrastructure as a result of the water crisis and should be ahead of the game compared to other municipal water systems. Better programs to build homes – reusing building materials. Recycling materials Karegnondi pipeline is big, don’t like that the City of Flint got water from Detroit. New pipeline is a good thing City needs to be on the county’s water system. Citizens (Flint) are paying for county water but not using it. Vacant buildings/land Old buildings provide an opportunity to redevelop There is a good, affordable supply of land available in the townships
Removing blighted structures has a positive impact – University Avenue Corridor The land is cheap in Flint, and could be sold cheaply to companies. Diversified industry How our society has embraced change (non‐automotive) Medical field – take care of the aging population and veterans Still a willing workforce that will accept the necessary training required to continue to be employed Be a better draw for small manufacturers/cutting edge technologies A mixed‐use convention center would be huge, and would help support the restaurants, hotels, area businesses‐‐the colleges could have more and bigger events to draw in people. The resiliency of the community Natural Resources/parks/Flint River Opportunity to highlight and invest in existing features that improve quality of life Genesee County is doing a great job at maximizing the public river/beach areas Create more recreational opportunities Regional connectivity for trails and parks. Utilizing the river for economic improvements, current restoration is helping that Central location/proximity to resources Genesee County is an ideal location Proximity to a major international crossing (Blue Water Bridge) The water crisis brought a lot of attention to our area, which is good for bringing more resources here. Jobs Potential steel plant to be built nearby (new industry) Expand upon Skilled Trades Genesee County could lead nation in employment of people with disabilities We have a lot of laborers and a labor force wanting to work. We have a lot of untapped potential, disabled folks that want to work
Question 6. Do you think improvements are needed for transportation, housing, environment, public infrastructure and/or quality of life in Genesee County? Of the categories listed, what are the top two in which you think improvements are most needed and what are your improvement suggestions?
Infrastructure Asset Management standards for public infrastructure Water rates must remain affordable Extension of sewers and waterlines in the townships Start with underground infrastructure improvements Reduce the scale and physical impact Remove or repair dams, give them more attention Tax us to improve infrastructure. Streamlining water system to be all county. Transportation Roads must be improved Broader investment in connections by rail to other areas within Michigan (Traverse City to Ann Arbor) Provide affordable transit to post‐secondary education. Have transportation signs in multiple languages Short‐term loans to make sure people could get to their job Maintain MTA’s services but expand upon routes offered after 10 p.m. (especially for those who work in the service industry) Traffic calming Need a better overall plan for how projects are selected/funded. Housing Public/private partnerships Need assisted living facilities for the aging population More affordable, safe, and accessible options Need investments in rehabilitating existing housing stock Educate residents on how to improve your home again to maintain housing stock Newer housing doesn’t need to be built, instead pay attention to and renovate lower‐income (affordable) housing. Need more community shelters Additional down payment assistance options for new homebuyers Request “little houses” to be built in communities – this can be attractive to young and old wanting minimal responsibility Quality of Life Create more winter activities in the parks Urban renewal is needed countywide Give people access to water recreation Residents need to get out and exercise, get fresh fruit and veggies, but that is not always easy due to crime and neighborhood conditions.
Ensure access to core services (laundry, showers, food) Environment Greenspace to provide for a safer community Grow recycling and materials management regionally Clean up the lakes Better citizen engagement and education to recycle Better laws for people dropping waste off illegally. More policing for environmental‐related laws. Work with smaller companies to have incentive to clean up waste. Blighted buildings Salvage cool elements of buildings/homes Just being able to rehabilitate and put them into the hands of people that can utilize them effectively rather than letting them sit vacant to rot.
Crime/safety A crime‐prevention grant from the Department of Justice will get law enforcement, churches, businesses and residents to determine where the drug, crime and blight areas are. How to eradicate those as a group. Law enforcement being in the community they serve Perception/marketing City of Flint is safer than perceived Genesee County needs to be welcoming to immigrants Bring on board the non‐profits that can help facilitate this connection better than the government. Be more progressive in your thinking Question 7. Is there any other advice you can share with us as we plan for Genesee County’s next 20 years?
Roads Lobby for roads and how funding is distributed Focus on updating Act 51 as it is outdated Education Focus on education Education on funding for municipalities
Charter Schools are spreading resources for schools too thin. Schools of Choice and Charter Schools are also disrupting area identity Need more professional networking opportunities for young professionals More partnerships with Michigan State University Extension to help educate the community As a community we need more emphasis on developing our young children into responsible, productive adults. Public Notifications Create a resource directory for all municipalities – reduce duplication of services Promote positive things in the community Keep in mind the other ethnicities here in Genesee County, particularly the Hispanic population Be more available to residents New Ideas Listen to ideas from the community and think outside the box Less emphasis on planning for millennials – we missed that trend Focus on improving things young people are interested in Look at ways to assist the homeless Be bold! People that want to make a difference need to get to know each other Find opportunities to better engage younger staff of GCMPC into the GCMPC Board itself Jobs Look hard into bringing employment to all communities Get higher paying or skilled jobs here Attract doctors Active role in creating jobs (use tax incentives to attract technology businesses or another sector) Inter‐governmental cooperation There needs to be more cooperation among municipalities (particularly county and City of Flint). More shared services This combined plan is a great opportunity to bring all communities together Incorporate all master plans and see where there can be cooperation and assimilation. Take advantage of the Flint Master Plan and all the strategies they outlined.
Population retention an attraction Work with new graduates to keep them here Work to keep talented individuals in the community There must be a greater effort to reverse the brain drain that the county has experienced over the last few decades. Establish a coalition to sit down and openly discuss the needs of the senior citizens Green infrastructure promotion is key to make people want to live here Economic development Target more development in rural communities Make Community Development Block Grant funds easier to spend Look at both small and big business Help encourage more neighborhood involvement Start a small business fund (catalytic engine to spur economic growth) that helps to minimize risk to other lenders The county needs to be more welcoming to corporations Money Conduct a special Village Money Program to provide more consideration We have so many resources, but we need to figure out how to collectively utilize them. Non‐profits need to merge – too much ask and duplication of services Look at your legacy budget items and plan better Infrastructure Look at water quality (what is the agricultural effect on ground water?) Need more money for roads and bridges Repair all water pipe infrastructure in the county Include green space in new developments and re‐developments (gardens, parks, places for kids to play)
Agencies Contacted for GCMPC Stakeholder Interviews Arab American Heritage Council Argentine Township Atlas Township Baker College Bedrock Building Inc. Bentley Schools Bethel United Methodist Church Big Brothers Big Sisters Bishop International Airport Authority Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint Brent Run Landfill Career Alliance Carman Ainsworth Senior Center Carriage Town Ministries Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties Central Elementary Chase Bank Chemical Bank Citizens Disposal City of Burton City of Clio City of Davison City of Fenton City of Flint City of Flushing City of Grand Blanc City of Linden City of Montrose City of Mt. Morris City of Swartz Creek Clayton Charter Township Clio Area Parks and Recreation Clio Senior Center Communication Access Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities First Community Foundation of Greater Flint Community Housing Resource Board Consumers Energy Court Street Village Crim Fitness Foundation Crim Foundation Davison Township Disability Network East Central Association of Realtors Emterra Environmental USA Family Service Agency of Mid‐Michigan
Agencies Contacted for GCMPC Stakeholder Interviews Federal Highway Administration Federal Highway Administration ‐ MI Division Fenton Township Flint & Genesee Literacy Network Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce Flint Bike Share Flint City Council Flint Downtown Development Authority Flint Housing Commission Flint River Corridor Alliance Flint River Watershed Coalition Flint Township Flint/Genesee Job Corps Flushing Township Food Bank of Eastern Michigan Forest Township Gaines Township Genesee Career Institute Genesee County Board of Commissioners Genesee County Commission on Aging Genesee County Community Action Resource Department Genesee County Department of Veteran Services Genesee County Drain Office Genesee County Equalization Department Genesee County Habitat for Humanity Genesee County Head Start Genesee County Health Department Genesee County Hispanic Latino Collaborative Genesee County Land Bank Authority Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission Genesee County Office of Emergency Management Genesee County Office of Senior Services Genesee County Parks Genesee County Purchasing Genesee County Road Commission Genesee County Youth Corporation Genesee District Library Genesee Health System Genesee Intermediate School District Genesee Landlords Association Genesee Shiawassee Thumb (GST) Michgian Works! Genesee Township Goodwill Industries Grand Blanc Township Green For Life Environmental
Agencies Contacted for GCMPC Stakeholder Interviews Haas Elementary Hamilton Health Network Home Builders Association of Mid‐Michigan (Builders and Remodelers Association of Mi‐Michigan) Hurley Medical Center Job Corps Keep Genesee County Beautiful Kettering University Legal Services of Eastern Michigan Local Initiatives Support Corporation Mass Transportation Authority McLaren Regional Medical Center Metro Community Development Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Michigan Department of Transportation Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Michigan Recycling Coalition Michigan School for the Deaf Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Michigan State University Cooperative Extension Money Attitude Direction Education (M.A.D.E.) Institute Montrose Township Mott Community College Mott Foundation Mt. Morris Township Mundy Township My Brother's Keeper New Paths Inc. North Flint Food Market North Flint Reinvestment Corporation Priority Children Republic Services Richfield Township Shelter of Flint Thetford Township U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD Detroit) United Way of Genesee County University of Michigan‐‐Flint University of Michigan‐‐Flint Economic Development Administration Center Urban League of Flint Valley Area Agency on Aging Vienna Township Village of Gaines Village of Goodrich Village of Lennon Village of Otisville
Agencies Contacted for GCMPC Stakeholder Interviews Village of Otter Lake Vocational Independence Program (VIP) Walk, Bike, Run Atlas Township Weiss Child Advocacy Center Young Life of Genesee County Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Greater Flint Young Professionals (via Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce) Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Greater Flint Categories of Stakeholder Agencies Community Foundations Community/Social Services Economic Development Educational Environmental Financial First Responders Genesee County Government Health Housing Recreation/Parks Seniors Transportation Utilities Workforce Development Youth