BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) and its affiliate, 50 Capital Ave Development Corp., have unveiled plans and a timeline for renovation of the former McCamly Plaza Hotel and adjacent McCamly Place. “We are so excited to return this historic property to productive use,” said Joe Sobieralski, president and CEO of BCU. “Having a hotel of this size and magnitude will significantly contribute to the economic vitality of downtown Battle Creek and the entire city. We cannot thank our partners and contributors enough for their continued support and generosity. This multi-faceted project will be a showpiece for our ...
Read More

LINCOLN, Neb. — Duncan Aviation today announced plans to build additional hangar space at its existing MRO locations in Battle Creek, Michigan (BTL), and Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK). “The demand for the safety and flexibility that business aviation travel provides has continued to increase, as has the average size of business aircraft,” says Jeff Lake, President of Duncan Aviation. “This results in increased demand for the hangar space required to complete requested airframe, engine, interior, paint and avionics modifications for the business aircraft fleet. Looking to the future, we know that in order to meet current customer requests and needs, Duncan ...
Read More

BCU is pleased to share its Winter 2022 Quarterly Newsletter  This edition includes:     Torti Taco Opens Downtown     Washington Heights Entrepreneurial Fund Awards $2M in Grants     New Tool Connects Manufacturers and Suppliers     Major Construction Projects Coming Soon     Michigan, Ontario Partner on UAS ....plus other news and information. The newsletter is available to view as a PDF here. Our goal is to provide useful information to people who live and/or work in Battle Creek. We welcome your feedback and story ideas. Email your comments to BCUNewsletter@bcunlimited.org. You can also follow Battle Creek ...
Read More

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The Washington Heights Entrepreneurial Fund (WHEF) is bolstering the community and an ambitious group of entrepreneurs-of-color through the distribution of $2 million in business support targeted at the Washington Heights neighborhood.  Award recipients receive training, grants and low-interest loans for business and real estate development projects. “We are truly grateful to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for this opportunity, and we are grateful for our incredibly dedicated and focused grantees and the team that reviewed and selected them,” said Joe Sobieralski, President and CEO of BCU. “These recipients have put in months of hard work to get ...
Read More

BCU is pleased to share its Fall 2021 Quarterly Newsletter  This edition includes:     Viking-Cives Purchases 40 Acres     WMU Dedicates Expanded College of Aviation     BCU Competes in 2021 Kickball Classic     John Hughes Joins BCU Team     Aviation Director Larry Bowron Retires ....plus other news and information.  The newsletter is available to view as a PDF here Our goal is to provide useful information to people who live and/or work in Battle Creek.  We welcome your feedback and story ideas. Email your comments to BCUNewsletter@bcunlimited.org. You can also follow Battle Creek Unlimited on Twitter, ...
Read More

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to announce the addition of John Hughes to its team. Hughes will further BCU’s efforts in business retention, expansion, and workforce development. As an economic development specialist, Hughes will collaborate alongside the BCU team as it continues to generate jobs and investment in Battle Creek. Hughes brings experience in the industrial and commercial real estate industries. Most recently, Hughes held the position of EQS manager and lead trainer for GCI located in Coldwater, Mich. Prior to GCI, Hughes spent time working in the Battle Creek area as a commercial sales ...
Read More

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to announce a $2 million state investment for the special use of revitalizing McCamly Plaza Hotel, which plans to reopen in 2022. The Michigan Legislature this week passed the 2022 state budget, which included a one-time $2 million allocation to BCU. Funds will be used toward a $46MM renovation to convert the 239-room hotel into a Hilton DoubleTree. The property makeover will include a new restaurant, façade and entryway, refreshed lobby, conference rooms, gym and pool amenities, lounges, and other mixed-use spaces. “A flagship hotel is integral to the continued ...
Read More

Does making an impact and positioning the community for future growth through economic development intrigue you? Do you enjoy working with companies to understand their opportunities and concerns? Are you a critical thinker with the ability to solve problems? Do you want to work with a dynamic organization that serves a diverse community and is on the upswing by bringing jobs and investments to the Battle Creek Community? Look no further, Battle Creek Unlimited has the job for you. Our work is mission-driven, fulfilling, and fun. We seek a candidate who is motivated, a team-player, deadline-oriented, and a creative thinker ...
Read More

Does making an impact and positioning the community for future growth through economic development intrigue you? Looking to launch your post-secondary career? Do you want to work with a dynamic organization that serves a diverse community and is on the upswing by bringing jobs and investments to the Battle Creek Community? Look no further, Battle Creek Unlimited has the job for you. Our work is mission-driven, fulfilling, and fun. We seek a candidate who is motivated, a team-player, deadline-oriented, and a creative thinker who wants to make a difference. In this cultivating environment, there is an opportunity to learn and ...
Read More

PRESS RELEASE March 12, 2021 Bowers Aluminum Submits Plans for Expansion in Battle Creek Bowers considers investing $7.8M in Battle Creek. Expansion would create at least 17 new jobs. BATTLE CREEK, MICH — Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to announce that Bowers Aluminum is considering expanding its manufacturing operations in Battle Creek’s Ft. Custer Industrial Park. Bowers Aluminum provides contract anodizing and fabrication services for aluminum products to manufacturing companies throughout the Midwest, East, South, and West. Their anodizing operations serve multiple sectors (automotive, healthcare, appliance manufacturing, office furniture, etc). Bowers will seek a local tax-abatement for this project ...
Read More

PRESS RELEASE April 12, 2021 Magna Cosma Casting Expansion Planned for Battle Creek, Mich., Facility • Magna plans to invest $31.9M in Battle Creek, Mich., facility and create 68 new jobs. • Magna will participate in the BC TRAIN talent attraction program for some of the new hires. BATTLE CREEK, MICH. — Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to announce that Magna is considering expanding its Cosma Casting Michigan manufacturing operation in Battle Creek’s Fort Custer Industrial Park. Magna provides a comprehensive range of body, chassis, and engineering solutions to global automotive customers, including high-pressure aluminum castings from its Battle ...
Read More

March 8, 2021 BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU), in partnership with New Level Sports Ministries (NLSM), has established the Washington Heights Entrepreneurial Fund, a $2 million program for entrepreneurial and real estate development projects in the historic Battle Creek neighborhood. The fund is supported by a $2 million grant from the Battle Creek-based W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Click here to read more ...
Read More

For Immediate Release - Tuesday, November 17, 2020: The Battle Creek Tax Finance Authority (BCTIFA) is seeking a qualified attorney and/or law firm to serve as general counsel.  RFP's should be submitted no later than December 11, 2020 by 4:30 pm in a sealed envelope marked "BCTIFA Attorney Proposal" in the lower left-hand corner.  For more information about this RFP, please click here ...
Read More

Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) has established the Talent Retention, Attraction, and Inclusion Incentive (TRAIN), a $500,000 pilot program for new and existing employees to move to Battle Creek.  Click here to read more ...
Read More

PRESS RELEASE, August 17, 2020 - The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration approved an economic development grant of $2,092,492 for the Southwest Michigan Accelerator Kitchen, located in Battle Creek, MI.  The grant, along with locally raised matching funds, will help with the $4 million renovation of the property located at 30 W. Van Buren St. in Battle Creek, MI.  Click here to read more ...
Read More

PRESS RELEASE, July 22, 2020 - Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) has sold 55 acres of land to Industrial Partners USA for the construction of a new spec building.  Click here to read more ...
Read More

PRESS RELEASE, July 20, 2020 - Elliot McKone LLC, owner of 56 E. Michigan Ave., has been awarded a $250,000 grant from Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) through the downtown Real Estate Improvement Fund.  Read here for the full press release ...
Read More

Systematic inequities and racism are realities that exist in our society.  We hear, see, and empathize with the Black Community's anger and pain.  As protests, conversations, and policy changes have elevated to an emotional turning point in our country surrounding the realities that exist in our Communities of Color, particularly in our Black Community, we must do more.....click here to read this letter in full and learn more about BCU's commitment to equity, inclusion and policy change ...
Read More

PRESS RELEASE May 27, 2020 BATTLE CREEK, MICH – In the wake of the corona virus outbreak, Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) provided approximately $1.6 million in direct support to 161 small businesses and nonprofits in the Battle Creek region, impacting 872 jobs. This financial assistance, in the form of loans and grants, was made possible by generous donations from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Consumers Energy Foundation, Chemical Bank, and Battle Creek Unlimited. On March 19, days after Governor Whitmer’s executive order shuttered restaurants and bars, BCU announced its Emergency Loan Fund. Financed with $500,000 from BCU’s own revolving loan fund, ...
Read More

PRESS RELEASE May 6, 2020 BCU Expands COVID-19 Emergency Microgrant Fund for Small Businesses • Program expanded to include companies and nonprofit organizations in Battle Creek, Springfield, Emmett Charter Township, Bedford Charter Township, and Pennfield Charter Township • Round 2 applications are due by May 11 Battle Creek, Mich. – The Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) COVID-19 Emergency Microgrant Fund has grown to $600,000 after receiving a $200,000 donation from the Consumers Energy Foundation, a $75,000 donation from BCU, and an additional $75,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF). BCU started the emergency fund in April after receiving an initial $250,000 ...
Read More