- Program Flint Area
- Program Area Restoring Community Vitality
- Grant Amount $158,800
- Grant Period December 1, 2004–December 31, 2005
- Location Flint, MI, United States
- Geographic Focus Flint
About this grant
This grant will enable the Genesee Chamber Foundation (GCF) to create a market study and feasibility plan to explore the potential for the Flint area to capitalize on an international trade economic opportunity. The passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994 dramatically increased the volume of international trade to Canada, with a sizable amount of trade volume passing through southeast Michigan and between Flint and Port Huron. Providing auxiliary services for such trade would greatly benefit the area’s economy.Funding will enable GCF to develop a specific diversification strategy for the Genesee County area. The market feasibility study will determine whether there is a significant opportunity for the area to pursue the creation of a logistics industry that will serve passing NAFTA traffic. Activities will include examining federal and state documents pertaining to trade across the U.S. and Canada; analyzing the types of auxiliary services and products needed by the companies and carriers participating in NAFTA trade; exploring the possible need for distribution facilities and other technologies and infrastructures to serve the industry; determine available local resources; create a step-by-step plan to direct local and non-local resources toward the industry; and present findings to community decisionmakers and policymakers.GCF was established to receive and administer funds for educational, scientific and charitable purposes and for the public welfare of Genesee County.