BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) announced it will be providing at least $500,000 in loans to small businesses in Battle Creek who have been negatively impacted by coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, and adversely affected by Executive Order No. 2020-9.
Rebecca Dutcher
Battle Creek Unlimited Launches COVID-19 Resource Page For Battle Creek Businesses and the Community
PRESS RELEASE
March 20, 2020, Battle Creek, Michigan – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) launched a resource page to assist with the dissemination of accurate information during the COVID-19 global pandemic crisis. Whether you are a business, a nonprofit organization, a company in need of space to support relief efforts, an employee working in Battle Creek, or a Battle Creek resident, battlecreekcovid-19.com is a landing page of pertinent information.
During this challenging time, BCU’s priority is our community. We are aware there is a lot of great information available, and we want to make it as easy as possible for our business community and neighbors to access it. BCU created the resource page battlecreekcovid-19.com to allow for the easy navigation of information in one centralized location.
This follows BCU’s announcement on Thursday, March 19, regarding the establishment of a $500,000 emergency loan fund designed to assist businesses impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. The loan fund guidelines and application are available at battlecreekcovid-19.com.
“It is our hope, by consolidating good information into a centralized location, it will help the entire Battle Creek community,” stated Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited. “It is our goal to keep you informed with the most relevant information that is helpful to our business community and neighbors.”
In this ever-changing environment, it is important that the community has easy access to good information. BCU will work diligently to update the page as information evolves.
This is our community, our home, and together we will weather this global pandemic. Our thoughts and hearts are with those most directly affected.
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ABOUT BATTLE CREEK UNLIMITED
Established in 1972, Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is a private, non-profit corporation which serves as the economic development arm for the City of Battle Creek and manages the Fort Custer Industrial Park. The Fort Custer Industrial Park is home to over 80 businesses, including 25 international companies, and employs over 13,000 people. BCU’s mission is to build a strong community by driving strategic investment and job creation.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO, Battle Creek Unlimited
TEL 269-962-7526
Battle Creek Unlimited Establishes $500,000 Emergency Loan Fund for Small Businesses Affected by Executive Order No. 2020-9
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Battle Creek Unlimited Establishes $500,000 Emergency Small Business Loan Fund
For Impacted Businesses of Executive Order No. 2020-9
March 19, 2020, Battle Creek, Michigan – During this historical time of uncertainty, Battle Creek Unlimited has established an emergency small business loan fund for food & beverage businesses located in the City of Battle Creek that have been adversely affected by Executive Order No. 2020-9.
The federal government is currently in the process of approving emergency funds to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA will be working directly with the Governor to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). While we applaud the state and federal government for their swift action, we acknowledge that this process will take time, time our local businesses and their staff will not be able to afford. Effective immediately, Battle Creek Unlimited will be offering emergency low-interest loans to local small food & beverage businesses that meet specific criteria. To see if your business qualifies, go to our resource page at battlecreekcovid-19.com, which will go live on Friday, March 20th at 12:00 p.m.
“Battle Creek is our community, our home. The people who work here are our neighbors and friends. Over the last couple of years, the transformation of Battle Creek, in particular downtown, has been exciting to watch. It is difficult to see the hopes, dreams, and hard work of so many people suffer, business owners and employees alike,” said Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited. “That is why Battle Creek Unlimited wants to do our part in helping our neighbors. This emergency loan fund will allow our most vulnerable businesses to remain viable during this concerning time. We understand that there will be many needs beyond this, but it is a start.”
BCU would like to thank our Board of Directors, the Direct Investment Committee, and staff for coming together to quickly address this need in our community. By working together as a community, we will navigate through this challenging global pandemic crisis. Our thoughts and hearts go out to those most directly affected.
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ABOUT BATTLE CREEK UNLIMITED
Established in 1972, Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is a private, non-profit corporation which serves as the economic development arm for the City of Battle Creek and manages the Fort Custer Industrial Park. The Fort Custer Industrial Park is home to over 80 businesses, including 25 international companies, and employs over 13,000 people. BCU’s mission is to build a strong community by driving strategic investment and job creation.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO, Battle Creek Unlimited
TEL 269-962-7526
COVID-19 Stay Informed
Battle Creek Unlimited would like to make sure that everyone in the community has the most current information available. To find the latest information on COVID-19, please CLICK HERE to be routed to the City of Battle Creek’s website.
As a reminder, while all indoor dining has been suspended, many of the local establishments are offering pickup or delivery. Be sure to continue to support our local organizations.
Please continue to wash your hands often, and practice social distancing. Stay informed and stay healthy.
Your friends at BCU.
$20.6M affordable housing project planned for downtown Battle Creek
Two new housing development projects are in the works for downtown Battle Creek.
Hollander Development Corporation is collaborating with Battle Creek Unlimited on a $20.6 million project to redevelop two properties in the heart of downtown as affordable housing… READ MORE HERE
Battle Creek Unlimited investing $800,000 in 2 downtown buildings
It’s about keeping the momentum going.
As projects like the Milton, Record Box, and Handmap Brewing are beginning to open, Battle Creek Unlimited is investing $800,000 to renovate two of downtown buildings…
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the story by the Battle Creek Enquirer.
2020 Economic Outlook
Thank you to all of our sponsors who helped make this year’s 2020 Economic Outlook a success. It was great to see so many smiling faces bright and early this morning. If you missed the event, don’t worry, Access Vision was there to film the entire presentation. As soon as we have the dates it will be shown on Access Vision and the link to the video we will update this information, stay tuned. In the meantime, here is a copy of the presentation that was shown at the event:
Slides: 2020 Economic Outlook Presentation
Video:
The video is also scheduled to air on Accessvision channel 17 at the following times:
Saturday 2/29/20 at 3 p.m.
Tuesday 3/3/20 at 5 p.m.
Thursday 3/5/20 at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday 3/7/20 at 5 p.m.
Battle Creek Unlimited Announces Two New Board Members
Press Release
February 4, 2020
Battle Creek Unlimited Announces Two New Board Members
Battle Creek, Michigan – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors.
Joining the Board of Directors are Dr. Adrien Bennings and Andrew (Drew) Schweitzer. “Both new Board members will bring new talent and expertise to the table. We are very fortunate to have them by our side as we continue to work together with local partners and stakeholders to strengthen our community,” said Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO of BCU.
Dr. Adrien Bennings is the President of Kellogg Community College (KCC). Dr. Bennings joined KCC on January 6, 2020, after a national search. Dr. Bennings previously was the Vice President for Finance and Administration at Clovis Community College in Clovis, New Mexico. Dr. Bennings earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Texas Tech University, a Master of Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University, and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Development from Texas A&M University.
Drew Schweitzer is the President and CEO of Schweitzer, Inc. Schweitzer is a local construction company that was founded in Battle Creek in 1962. Mr. Schweitzer has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry and holds a Bachelor of Science in Building and Construction Management from Michigan State University. In addition to his new duties on the BCU Board of Directors, Mr. Schweitzer is the Chair of the KCC Foundation and is on the Binder Park Zoo Board of Directors.
The BCU Board of Directors is comprised of 15 community partners and stakeholders who provide governance and guidance to support BCU. BCU’s mission is to build a strong community by driving strategic investment and job creation. BCU’s vision is to engage the community to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future. Working together with our partners, BCU has been able to make a significant positive impact on Battle Creek over the years and will continue to do so in the future with the continued vision and support of our dedicated Board of Directors.
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ABOUT BATTLE CREEK UNLIMITED
Established in 1972, Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is a private, non-profit corporation which serves as the economic development arm for the City of Battle Creek and manages the Fort Custer Industrial Park. The Fort Custer Industrial Park is home to over 80 businesses, including 25 international companies, and employs over 13,000 people. BCU’s mission is to build a strong community by driving strategic investment and job creation.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO, BCU
TEL 269-962-7526
Battle Creek Food Mixer
Register here: Battle Creek Food Mixer
New Holland Brewing Co. aims for summer opening after getting nearly $1 million from MEDC
January 15, 2020
New Holland Brewing Co. is now projected to open in Battle Creek in the summer of 2020.
It hasn’t been easy for New Holland Brewing Co. to begin construction of its downtown Battle Creek brewing, but they are finally ready to begin.
The brewery received a $968,500 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation… READ MORE HERE
