News & Announcements
Stay up to date with all the latest news, announcements and special events from Battle Creek Unlimited.
Torti Taco, Elliot McKone LLC awarded $250,000 Real Estate Improvement Fund Grant, creating new downtown restaurant and housing
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 ...
Battle Creek Unlimited’s Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Policy Change – Open Letter
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 ...
Battle Creek Unlimited responds to COVID-19 with $1.6 million in local support
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, ...
BCU Expands COVID-19 Emergency Microgrant Fund for Small Businesses
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 ...
COVID-19 Emergency Microgrant Fund for Small Businesses & Nonprofits
Battle Creek Unlimited Establishes $250,000 COVID-19 Emergency Microgrant Fund for Small Businesses & Nonprofits PRESS RELEASE Battle Creek, Michigan – April 16, 2020 Battle Creek Unlimited has established a $250,000 emergency microgrant fund for small businesses and nonprofits located in the City of Battle Creek which have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Priority will be given to businesses owned by women, minorities, and people of color as well as nonprofits whose mission serves children, women, minorities, and people of color. This program is made possible by a generous donation from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, based in Battle Creek ...
Small Business Loans, COVID-19 Relief
Applications are now being accepted. Get your application in TODAY! CLICK HERE to go to the Small Business Administration's Guide & Resource page ...
MEDC Grant App
Below are links to the Michigan Small Business Relief Program. Applications need to be submitted by the end of the day on Sunday, March 29th to emergencyloanfund@bcunlimitstg.wpengine.com: Qualifications Application ...
BCU offers loans for small business owners, says more money is coming
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. READ MORE HERE ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
BCU’s Winter 2020 Newsletter
BCU is pleased to share its Winter 2020 Quarterly Newsletter. This edition includes: The Announcement of Two New BCU Board Members Lori Schroll of BCU Retires BCU Hosts BCPS Junior Achievement Save the Date: Fort Custer Spring Mixer Company Spotlight, Cask & Kettle … 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, Facebook, and LinkedIn. If you would ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
2020 Economic Outlook
Join Battle Creek Unlimited and 250 local business and community leaders for the annual 2020 Economic Outlook on Tuesday, February 18, 2020. The 2020 Economic Outlook is one of the most anticipated economic forecast events in our community. SPEAKERS: Jim Robey, Director, Regional Economic Planning Services of the W.E. Upjohn Institute, will review regional, state, and national industry trends as they relate to Battle Creek, providing employment projections and an overall economic forecast for our area. Joe Sobieralski, President and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited, will provide the community with an overview of BCU’s ongoing economic development projects and initiatives ...
Jay Andrew Development Co. awarded $250,000 Real Estate Improvement Fund Grant
January 6, 2020 Battle Creek, Michigan – Jay Andrew Development Co. has been awarded a $250,000 grant from Battle Creek Unlimited, through the downtown Real Estate Improvement Fund, for its plans to rehabilitate 103 W Michigan Ave. The funds will go toward a phased redevelopment of the property, starting with a full roof repair. Additional plans for the property redevelopment include white-boxing the first floor, which can be configured in a variety of ways to accommodate tenants of different sizes, and residential/office use for the second floor, including some affordable apartments. The Real Estate Improvement Fund was made possible by ...