PRESS RELEASE

May 25, 2023

BATTLE CREEK, MICH. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) recently added Aaron Gibson as its new Facilities Coordinator. Aaron will provide maintenance services for properties and facilities owned by BCU as well as the Battle Creek Tax Increment Finance Authority (BCTIFA). These include the Fort Custer Industrial Park, the Customs Cargo Center, and several downtown properties and vacant land parcels.

A Michigan native, Aaron grew up in Battle Creek and attended Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek. He has a wealth of experience in the manufacturing, facilities management, and construction sectors. Prior to joining BCU, Aaron worked for the City of Battle Creek’s Facility Maintenance department. In his new position at BCU, Aaron will lead the beautification efforts in the Fort Custer Industrial Park and maintain the proper appearance according to the park’s protective covenants. He will work to ensure that BCU’s facility and grounds are constantly maintained and will be responsible for developing effective maintenance procedures. Perhaps most importantly, Aaron will serve as the point of contact for after-hour emergencies in the industrial park.

BCU President & CEO Joe Sobieralski said, “We are pleased to welcome Aaron to the team. In recent years, we have significantly expanded our community development efforts and acquired several properties downtown, including the McCamly Hotel, the TreeHouse Foods factory and WMU’s Kendall Center. BCU also manages the Fort Custer Industrial Park, which is the largest facility of its kind in Michigan. With 3,000 acres, nearly 90 companies, and more than 13,000 workers, there is a lot to maintain. We needed someone who could deal with the myriad issues that come with these buildings and properties. Aaron has the skills and experience we needed and is a great addition to our team.”

Aaron Gibson joins BCU as its new Facilities Coordinator

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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. Visit BCUnlimited.org for more info.

MEDIA CONTACT

Joe Sobieralski
President & CEO
Battle Creek Unlimited
269-962-7526
sobieralski@bcunlimited.org

The new “Bearcat Advantage” scholarship seeks to eliminate opportunity gaps for graduating students and improve access to higher education.

PRESS RELEASE

May 17, 2023

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Today, Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) announced the Bearcat Advantage, a new scholarship that covers up to 100% of college tuition and fees for all eligible graduates, beginning with the graduating class of 2023. In partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), this historic investment builds off of all the progress of the school district’s transformation work that began over six years ago and ensures that the next generation of BCPS students can continue on the path to career, college and community success after they graduate.

“At BCPS, we believe in every student’s potential for success and are committed to tearing down obstacles that stand in their way, ” said Kimberly Carter, Superintendent of BCPS. “We believe that equity is about opportunity, and this scholarship brings the possibility of higher education to students who otherwise may not have the resources to pursue it. Our vision for success focuses on eliminating opportunity gaps that have existed for many years as a result of systemic inequities, and developing world-class educational experiences for the students we serve.”

The Bearcat Advantage scholarship will:
•   Cover up to 100 percent of tuition and mandatory fees at any public or private four-year college or university in Michigan, or at any of the nearly 100 eligible Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) across the country for eligible graduates of BCPS.
•   Award scholarship amounts on a sliding scale based on the length of time a student has been continuously enrolled at BCPS.
o   For example, those who have been a student at BCPS for at least every year of high school will be eligible to receive a 65% scholarship. Those who have been a student at BCPS for all of K-12 will be eligible to receive a 100% scholarship.
•   Be available to use for a four-year undergraduate degree for up to six years after high school graduation.

In order for Battle Creek to offer a bright future to its families and young people, all children must have the opportunity to get an excellent education. The Bearcat Advantage opens a new pathway to four-year colleges and universities for more students in this community by removing the potential barrier of student loan debt. Those who previously may have had to turn down their dream school or who may not have even considered college as an option due to financial circumstances now have expanded opportunities to pursue higher education. In addition to already existing scholarships and resources for post-secondary opportunities at two-year colleges and trade schools, the Bearcat Advantage will have a positive impact on BCPS students and the broader Battle Creek community for generations to come.

The Bearcat Advantage scholarship was made possible by WKKF, which has served as a longtime partner to BCPS and has been committed to supporting children and families in Battle Creek since its founding. In 2017, WKKF provided the district with a historic five-year, $51 million investment in support of a district transformation with the goal of increasing racial equity by reducing barriers to success for children in the community.

The transformation has spurred new opportunities for students to thrive by rolling out new academic and extracurricular programs, and increased systems of support for BCPS families. For example, Battle Creek Central High School was re-envisioned with a Career Academies model to provide all students with the opportunity to explore different career paths through hands-on, experiential curriculum while developing the skills necessary to excel in school, the workforce and beyond. BCPS has spent the past six years establishing a strong, sustainable foundation for student success; this new scholarship will now play an integral role in ensuring the success of each student beyond graduation day.

“The Bearcat Advantage is not just an investment in our students; it’s an investment in our hometown of Battle Creek,” said WKKF President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron. “With this opportunity, current and future generations of Bearcats will find their own unique path to success and shape our collective future.”

To learn more about the Bearcat Advantage, visit battlecreekpublicschools.org/BearcatAdvantage.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Nate Hunt, Communications Manager
Battle Creek Public Schools
info@battlecreekpublicschools.org

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About Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS)
BCPS is a school district located in Calhoun County, Michigan, serving the City of Battle Creek as well as parts of Emmett, Pennfield and Bedford townships, and the City of Springfield. With a bold goal of achieving 100% success for every Bearcat, the district offers a broad range of educational experiences to meet the individual needs of students at all levels, including project-based learning, individualized instruction, advanced and accelerated curricula and outdoor education experiences. In 2017, BCPS received a historic investment from WKKF to undergo a five-year district transformation. Now on the heels of the transformation plan, the district is entering year seven of the partnership with WKKF to advance bold, top-to-bottom changes and provide a world-class career-, college- and community-ready education for every student, in every grade, at every school.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF)
WKKF was founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, and is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work, and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, in Mexico and Haiti.

March 31, 2023

BATTLE CREEK, MICH. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is excited to congratulate New Holland Brewing on the opening of their newest location in Battle Creek. The much-anticipated restaurant, microbrewery and distillery officially opens to the public on Friday, March 31. The venue is in the heart of downtown and will feature New Holland’s signature beers and craft cocktails, as well as a variety of food options. The new location will also have a beer garden, complete with a stage, yard games, and fire features for year-round entertainment.

The opening of New Holland’s Battle Creek branch is the culmination of an effort dating back to December 2017, when BCU announced a request for proposals for three downtown properties. In addition, BCU announced a $200,000 incentive for a new brewery/distillery. New Holland was quick to recognize the opportunity in Battle Creek and was awarded the property at 64 W. Michigan Avenue.

BCU President & CEO Joe Sobieralski said, “It would be an understatement to say that we are pumped to see this project come to fruition! It is what we envisioned when New Holland was selected from our RFP and took us up on our incentive offer. We knew the quality product and environment that they would produce and what it meant for our revitalization efforts and how their presence will begin to positively spread throughout downtown Battle Creek. Sometimes good things are worth waiting for.”

The building was constructed in 1928 and was previously home to the J.C. Penney department store. It later housed a variety of bars and restaurants before it sat vacant for several years. New Holland undertook a full gut-rehab of the building, which included adding an elevator, installing a new kitchen, brewery and distillery equipment, and ventilation system, and adding a covered four-season beer garden.

While the project encountered several obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic, construction delays and supply chain interruptions, the New Holland team remained committed to Battle Creek. The new facility is expected to employ approximately 70 people including cooks, servers, bartenders, brewers, hosts, and managers.

New Holland Brewing was founded in 1997 in Holland, Michigan. The company’s goal was to produce beer that was unique to West Michigan. Over the past 25 years, the company has become Michigan’s largest independent craft brewer. New Holland is famous for its Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout, Mad Hatter IPA and seasonal brews like Cabin Fever and Ichabod. In 2008, the company began selling their branded whiskey, rum, and gin. The company has also launched a line of canned cocktails and spiked seltzers. Most recently, New Holland introduced Aquanaut, its first non-alcoholic sparkling water infused with hops and a splash of mango. Today, New Holland’s beer and spirits are available in 38 states and 4 countries.

The Battle Creek location joins the original New Holland Pub on 8th Street in Holland and the Knickerbocker in downtown Grand Rapids, as well as a spirits tasting room in Saugatuck.

 “New Holland is an established brand with many followers. We know their presence in Battle Creek will drive additional foot traffic to downtown and bring people to Battle Creek who would not come here otherwise to spend their disposable income,” remarked Sobieralski. “With New Holland’s opening, Battle Creek will be perceived differently. I am grateful to the BCU Board of Directors and staff who in 2017 embraced the unconventional RFP idea that resulted in New Holland establishing their third brewpub here. I think New Holland says its best: we look forward to all of the savored moments their facility will create for the Battle Creek community!”

New Holland Brewing’s new pub has opened in downtown Battle Creek.

 

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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. Visit BCUnlimited.org for more info.

MEDIA CONTACT

Joe Sobieralski
President & CEO
Battle Creek Unlimited
269-962-7526
sobieralski@bcunlimited.org

March 29, 2023

BATTLE CREEK, MICH. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU), the economic development organization for the City of Battle Creek, welcomes Kris Martin as its new Urban Planner. Kris will manage BCU’s participation in Battle Creek’s efforts to naturalize the Kalamazoo River and help coordinate community development and placemaking projects throughout Battle Creek.

Kris grew up in Buchanan, Michigan and attended Michigan State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy and political science. Prior to college, Kris spent a year as an AmeriCorps intern with the Hawaii Department of Forestry and Wildlife. Since 2011, Kris has worked as a Planner for the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, working on a variety environmental projects, economic development, and transportation projects. As part of his job, Kris collaborated with regional governments and community partners to promote and expanding the accessibility of water trails in Southwest Michigan. In addition, he served as the Administrator for the Michigan’s Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum, which works to educate and engage the community on environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic growth.

BCU President & CEO Joe Sobieralski said, “As BCU’s mission continues to expand, we needed someone who could coordinate with the City of Battle Creek and the many community stakeholders and serve as the point person for some of our community development projects such as the river naturalization effort, as well as downtown placemaking efforts. With more than a decade of experience, Kris has the knowledge and energy we were looking for. We are excited to welcome Kris to the BCU team and look forward to him hitting the ground running.”

In 2022, BCU received $13 million as part of the state budget to begin the process of returning the Kalamazoo River to a natural state which can support wildlife and provide recreational use. In the early 1960s, the US Army Corps of Engineers built a concrete channel for the river to prevent flooding downtown. The project has exceeded its life expectancy. Funds will be used for environmental assessment, property acquisition and demolishing old industrial facilities, including the former closed Graphic Packaging facility and parts of the TreeHouse Foods facility. The Corps of Engineers has been working with the City of Battle Creek for several years already and has begun work on a hydrology study to better understand the river’s future flow.

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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. Visit BCUnlimited.org for more info.

MEDIA CONTACT

Joe Sobieralski
President & CEO
Battle Creek Unlimited
269-962-7526
sobieralski@bcunlimited.org

 

 

March 14, 2023

Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) will host its annual Economic Update on Thursday, April 27 at Kellogg Arena.  Doors will open at 7:30 AM, with the program scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM. Breakfast will be provided by FireKeepers Casino Hotel.

This will be BCU’s first in-person update since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and there is a lot to talk about. BCU President & CEO Joe Sobieralski will report on the results of BCU’s 5-year strategic plan as well as Battle Creek’s overall economic health. Quentin Messer, Jr., President of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), will speak about Michigan’s economy and the state’s prospects for growth. Economic development and site selection consultant Dean Barber will share his insights. Calhoun County Administrator Kelli Scott and Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA) President Jim Durian will also participate in a panel discussion with Joe Sobieralski to discuss growth in the region.

The event is open to the public. Tickets for the event are $20. Click here to register.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors: 

Platinum Level 

      

                             

 

Gold Level

                    

 

                     

               

 

Silver Level

        

                

                       

               

    

Bronze Level

                                   

           

 

 

February 24, 2023

BATTLE CREEK, MICH. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is excited to announce the addition of Gabriela Perez-Hernandez to its team as the Director of the Food Reimagined program. Food Reimagined is a new community-led initiative to foster emerging food & beverage companies in Battle Creek.

As Director of Food Reimagined, Gabriela will create a multi-year strategy to launch and scale the program. She will lead in the marketing of the initiative and recruitment of companies to Battle Creek and provide technical support to companies as they scale their business. The program is being funded in part by the U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA), which awarded BCU two grants totaling $522,000 in 2022. The grants were part of the EDA’s Build to Scale program, designed accelerate technology entrepreneurship by increasing inclusive access to entrepreneurial support and startup capital. Other financial and in-kind support was provided by the MED’s Gateway Grant, the City of Battle Creek, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, JPG Resources, the Kellogg Company, the Battle Creek Community Foundation, and BCU.

Gabriela has nearly 20 years of experience in the food science sector, including more than 17 years at the Kellogg Company where she most recently worked on developing external partnerships. She has worked on the development of plant protein products, as well as crackers and snack foods such as Cheez-it, Club, Town House, Pringles, and Special K. Gabriela completed her PhD and MS in Food Science from Texas A&M University and earned her undergraduate degree in Food Engineering from The University of Guanajuato in Mexico.

BCU President & CEO Joe Sobieralski said, “Gabriela has a great depth of experience in food innovation and product development. The Food Reimagined initiative is a great opportunity for us to develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the food & beverage sector and leverage Battle Creek’s food assets to grow our economy and create jobs in Cereal City. She is an awesome addition to the BCU team, and we are excited for her to get to work.”

 

Gabriela Perez-Hernandez joins BCU as the Director of Food Reimagined.

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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. Visit BCUnlimited.org for more info.

MEDIA CONTACT

Joe Sobieralski
President & CEO
Battle Creek Unlimited
269-962-7526

February, 17, 2023

BATTLE CREEK, MICH. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to announce several changes to its Board of Directors. In December, we bid farewell to Toshiya Kawashima of DENSO who returned to Japan. Mr. Kawashima will be stationed in Japan’s Tohoku region, where he will manage DENSO’s Fukushima facility. Joining the board will be Mike Way, Bronson Health; Neal Graziano, W.K. Kellogg Foundation; and Frank Tecumseh, FireKeepers Casino Hotel. With these additions, BCU once again has a full board of 15 members.

Mike Way is the Senior Vice President for Supply Chain, Facilities & Real Estate at Bronson Health. Way has been with Bronson for nearly 30 years and led the organization’s supply chain, contracting, facility development and real estate management efforts. He holds a BS in Health Services Administration from Northern Arizona University and an MBA in Finance from Western Michigan University. He is a certified contract/purchasing manager as designated by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). During his time at Bronson, Way has spearheaded their environmental initiatives, which resulted in receiving the Healthcare Environmental Leadership Award in 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007 from Practice Greenhealth, the Energy Star Label from the Environmental Protection Agency and recognition from the Green Guide as one of America’s Top Ten Green Hospitals.

Neal Graziano serves as the Director of Investments at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, based in Battle Creek. In this capacity, he helps manages $3.5 billion in assets. Founded by Will Keith Kellogg in 1930, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is the seventh largest private foundation in the United States, and the largest nonprofit in Michigan. Prior to joining Kellogg in 2007, Graziano was an associate portfolio manager at Mastrapasqua Asset Management and investment analyst at William Blair & Co. in Chicago. Graziano earned his BA in Finance from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He holds chartered financial analyst and chartered alternative investment analyst designations. Graziano was named on Trusted Insight’s Top 30 LPs Investing Real Assets, Real Estate.

Frank Tecumseh was named CEO of the FireKeepers Casino Hotel in December 2022. A member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Tecumseh has more than 20 years of experience in human resources, including a decade at Prairie Band Casino Resort in Mayetta, Kansas. He joined FireKeepers as the Vice President of Human Resources in 2014. Tecumseh has a proven track record of executing strategic initiatives, building high performing teams and programs that have enhanced casino operations. He currently serves as the board president for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Entertainment Corp and is a member of the Southwest Michigan Workforce Development Committee and the American Gaming Association’s Responsible Gaming Committee. Tecumseh holds a BA in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and an MBA from Baker University.

BCU President & CEO Joe Sobieralski said, “On behalf of the BCU Board of Directors and staff, I would like to thank Mr. Kawashima for his service during his tenure in Battle Creek. All of us wish him continued success in his new position back in Japan. BCU has an outstanding board of directors, which has been key to much of our recent success. In the coming months, we will wrap up our existing 5-year strategic plan and begin charting the next five years and beyond. I look forward to working with Mike, Neal, and Frank on this process. Their experience and expertise will be invaluable to BCU as we look to the future.”

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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.

CONTACT

Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO

Battle Creek Unlimited

TEL 269-962-7526

sobieralski@bcunlimited.org

February 13, 2023

BATTLE CREEK, MICH. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) applauds the Ford Motor Co.’s decision to build its next battery manufacturing facility on the Marshall Mega Site, located in Calhoun County, Michigan. Ford and its partner Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) are expected to invest approximately $3.5 billion in the new facility, which will manufacture lithium iron phosphate batteries for electric vehicles. Ford anticipates the facility will create 2,500 new jobs.

BCU commends the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC), the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MEDA), Choose Marshall, the City of Marshall, Marshall Township, Calhoun County, the City of Battle Creek, and the many other organizations that have worked tirelessly for the last several years to market this property.

The Marshall Mega Site is located 10 miles from Battle Creek, between Detroit and Chicago. BCU serves as the lead economic development organization for the City of Battle Creek and manages the Fort Custer Industrial Park. The park is home to nearly 90 companies, including automotive suppliers like DENSO, Magna, and Adient. It is also home to battery companies like BASF Toda America, which manufactures cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries, and Camel Energy, a lead acid battery manufacturer.

BCU President & CEO Joe Sobieralski said, “This investment has the potential to attract thousands of new residents and ancillary investments to the region, which would increase property tax revenues and income tax revenues. The increased revenue will support public safety, schools, and other high priority local initiatives. We applaud the leadership of Governor Whitmer, the state legislature, and the MEDC for establishing the SOAR fund, a bipartisan game-changing fund for economic development and the state of Michigan. BCU will continue to advocate to the state of Michigan and the MEDC to continue to evolve the SOAR fund to be utilized by regions for community development needs where these mega projects land throughout the state.”

In recent years, BCU has accelerated its community development efforts, especially in downtown. Since 2018, BCU has attracted $287 million in capital investment to Battle Creek and created over 800 new high-paying jobs. BCU has facilitated the opening of two new breweries and has led efforts to revitalize hundreds of thousands of square feet of commercial property, supporting numerous small businesses and housing opportunities. Most recently, BCU has acquired a 247-room hotel in downtown and is in the process of converting it to a DoubleTree by Hilton, a full-service hotel with over 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The hotel, expected to be open in mid-2024, will significantly increase the vibrancy of downtown Battle Creek. BCU is also working with local partners to add additional housing to the region in anticipation of future growth.

The Fort Custer Industrial Park is the largest industrial park in the state and has hundreds of acres available for development. The park is fully built out with utilities and well-positioned for any growth which the Ford announcement might bring.

Looking ahead, BCU will accelerate its community development efforts to support this project and position Battle Creek for future prosperity. BCU looks forward to working with local partners including the MEDC, MAEDA, the City of Marshall, Calhoun County, Michigan Works! Southwest, and Kellogg Community College and many others to support these efforts. BCU is also committed to supporting local employers in Battle Creek and will work to ensure that their needs are equally supported.

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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 almost 90 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. Visit BCUnlimited.org for more info.

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO
Battle Creek Unlimited
269-962-7526
sobieralski@bcunlimited.org

 

February 8, 2023

BATTLE CREEK, MICH. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to welcome Heather Ignash to its team. Heather will serve as an Economic Development Specialist and will further BCU’s efforts in business retention, expansion, and workforce development.

Heather brings a wealth of experience in Workforce Development and Human Resources to BCU. Most recently, Heather served as the Business Services Coordinator for Michigan Works! Southwest, based at the W.E. Upjohn Institute. While at Michigan Works, Heather worked with employers on issues related to staffing and training, and was responsible for administering training grant programs from roll-out through completion. During her tenure there, she became a Certified Labor Market Information User with Michigan’s Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. She previously served as an Account Manager at WSI, a staffing agency, as well the HR Manager at Freedom Motors, a manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles.

BCU President & CEO Joe Sobieralski said, “We are excited to have Heather join the growing BCU team. Her existing connections with our local employers and workforce partners are a tremendous asset and will allow her to hit the ground running.”

Heather is passionate about Battle Creek and is dedicated to making it an excellent place to live, work, and play. She was recognized as an “Outstanding Woman in Business” by the Battle Creek Area Chamber in 2022. Heather has an associate’s degree in Business Management from Kellogg Community College and is furthering her education.

Heather Ignash joins BCU as its new Economic Development Specialist.

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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. Visit BCUnlimited.org for more info.

MEDIA CONTACT

Joe Sobieralski
President & CEO
Battle Creek Unlimited
269-962-7526