FLINT, Michigan — The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce won more than $185,000 in awards to fund local business, teen job preparedness, economic development and after-school programming in Genesee County.
The largest single grant comes from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with $130,000 to fund the chamber’s Procurement and Technical Assistance Center. Known as Region 6 PTAC, the center helps local businesses land government contracts and works to bring state and federal opportunities to the area.
“As the Chamber works to develop businesses, talent and a great place to live and work in Genesee County, the support of our funders and partners is critical to our success,” said Tim Herman, CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber. “We are thankful for their generosity and shared commitment to the region’s economic and community growth.”
Additional funding will go toward the chamber’s youth and teen focused programs, including YouthQuest, TeenQuest, and the Summer Youth Initiative. The tiered programs first provide overall enrichment and physical fitness opportunities for grade school children with YouthQuest. TeenQuest then offers leadership training and graduates of TeenQuest are eligible for summer job opportunities through the Summer Youth Initiative.
Other funding received by the chamber includes:
- $20,179 from the Regional Prosperity Initiative for economic development.
- $10,000 from Huntington Bank for YouthQuest
- $8,000 from Close Up Foundation for YouthQuest
- $5,655 from Andiamo’s for TeenQuest and Summer Youth Initiative
- $2,500 from Greater Flint Educational Consortium for YouthQuest
- $2,500 from Martha Merkley Charitable Trust for Youth for TeenQuest and Summer Youth Initiative
- $2,500 from Stella & Fredrick Loeb Charitable Trust for TeenQuest and Summer Youth Initiative
- $2,000 from Chemical Bank for YouthQuest
- $1,000 fromCYMER from YouthQuest
- $1,000 from Stephanie Pasternack for YouthQuest
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