Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance

What Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance does

The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance is a non-profit economic development organization and division of the Flint & Genesee Group, serving as the lead economic development entity for Flint and Genesee County, Michigan. The organization provides no-cost tools, resources, and guidance to small businesses and entrepreneurs across Genesee County through its Small Business Support Hub (one of 27 statewide hubs), while also marketing the region's industrial sites, workforce, and strategic assets to attract growth-oriented businesses. Its core programs include the Small Business Hub Grant Program awarding $5,000-$15,000 grants (funded by U.S. Department of Treasury award SLFRP0127 through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation), the APEX Accelerator for government contracting support, the GEN Launchpad monthly networking events, the Growth & Financial Fluency Cohort for food businesses (in partnership with the Michigan Good Food Fund), the Flint & Genesee Business Bridge online directory for BIPOC businesses, site selection and data center research services, and the Two Lane Fast Pitch Competition.

The organization operates on a grant-funded rather than revenue-generating model, with federal awards flowing through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as the primary funding mechanism. Its technology infrastructure is minimal, centered on Foundant's Grant Lifecycle Manager software for grant application and reporting management, plus standard website and social media channels. There is no proprietary technology platform, no AI/ML capabilities, and no software-as-a-service offering. Customer segments include small business owners and entrepreneurs (primary), growth-oriented businesses seeking site selection in advanced manufacturing, distribution, and professional services sectors, and government contractors pursuing certification and bids.

The go-to-market approach is community-led: the organization maintains weekly office hours at Berston Field House, bi-weekly hours at the Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber, and monthly sessions at the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, supplemented by monthly GEN Launchpad events, specialized cohort training, and competitive events. Distribution is hyperlocal, serving only Genesee County, Michigan. Leadership includes Executive Director Tyler Rossmaessler, Program Director of Business Services Karena Hamlet, Small Business Support Manager Terance Green, and event organizers Nick DePaolis and Bre'Asia Hamlin. The organization holds no patents or trademarks, has no external equity investors or venture backing, and operates as a public-purpose economic development entity within the Flint & Genesee Group parent structure.

Name

Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance

Legal name

Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance

Website

https://developflintandgenesee.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance is a non-profit economic development organization providing no-cost small business support services, grant funding ($5K-$15K), site selection, and industrial attraction programs for Genesee County, Michigan, as a division of the Flint & Genesee Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

Microloans & Working Capital Loans (FSAKAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Small business support
• Site selection services
• Grant administration programs
• Government contracting support

Headquarters

HQ city

Flint

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal and State Funding: The organization operates as a non-profit economic development organization funded primarily through federal awards (SLFRP0127 from U.S. Department of Treasury via Michigan Economic Development Corporation) and other government funding programs. Services are provided at no cost to small businesses in Genesee County.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance is a non-profit economic development organization that provides no-cost small business support services, grant funding ($5,000-$15,000 per business), government contracting assistance, site selection and property analysis, demographic and market research via its Data Center, and training/networking events for entrepreneurs and growth-oriented businesses in Genesee County, Michigan. The organization is one of 27 Small Business Support Hubs established through the State of Michigan's program and is funded by U.S. Department of Treasury federal award SLFRP0127 administered via the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Product overview

Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance is an economic development organization offering a portfolio of programs and services to support small businesses and attract investment to Genesee County, Michigan. The core offerings include the Small Business Support Hub providing no-cost technical assistance and coaching, the Small Business Hub Grant Program offering $5,000-$15,000 grants (funded by U.S. Department of Treasury), the APEX Accelerator for government contracting support, GEN Launchpad monthly networking events, the Flint & Genesee Business Bridge online directory for BIPOC businesses, the Growth & Financial Fluency Cohort training program for food businesses, site selection and property search services, a Data Center with demographic and market research, and the Two Lane Fast Pitch Competition. These programs work together to provide comprehensive support from startup through growth stages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Small Business Support Hub A comprehensive no-cost small business support program offering technical assistance, personalized coaching, and resource connections for small business owners and entrepreneurs in Genesee County, Michigan. One of 27 hubs established through the State of Michigan's Small Business Support Hub Program.
• Small Business Hub Grant Program A grant program providing $5,000 to $15,000 to small businesses across Genesee County. Categories include Startup ($5,000 for businesses in operation 1-3 years), Micro ($10,000 for businesses 3+ years with less than 10 employees), and Small ($15,000 for businesses 3+ years with more than 10 employees), funded by federal award SLFRP0127 from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
• APEX Accelerator East Michigan APEX Accelerator program supporting businesses with government contracting, providing bid opportunities, upcoming events, and guidance on why and how to pursue government contracts.
• Site Selection Services Economic development services including property search and analysis, community search, advanced manufacturing district marketing, competitive advantages analysis, and target sector support (Smart Manufacturing, Distribution, Professional Services) for businesses evaluating expansion or relocation into Genesee County.
• Data Center A comprehensive data repository offering community profiles, demographic data, consumer spending data, labor force data, occupation data, talent and education information, business explorer, mapping and GIS data, transportation infrastructure, and utilities data for Flint & Genesee to support site selection and market research.
• GEN Launchpad Monthly open office hours-style event hosted by the Genesee Entrepreneurial Network (GEN) for local entrepreneurs and small business owners to connect with GEN partners and learn how to grow their businesses. Held on the last Thursday of each month at the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library.
• Growth & Financial Fluency Cohort A four-session cohort training program for growth-stage food businesses covering Knowing Your Numbers, Licensing and Regulations, Marketing and Customer Journey, and Growth and Scaling. Delivered in partnership with the Michigan Good Food Fund at the Crim Fitness Foundation in Flint.
• Selling a Story that Wins An evening event designed to help entrepreneurs transform their lived experiences and business visions into narratives that attract funding and opportunity. Features a panel of storytelling experts including business owners and financial services decision-makers.
• Two Lane Fast Pitch Competition A business pitch competition for entrepreneurs in the Flint & Genesee region, providing a competitive venue to present business concepts and receive feedback.
• Flint & Genesee Business Bridge An online directory and business network dedicated to connecting and amplifying BIPOC small businesses in the Flint & Genesee region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 small business grants awarded in second round of funding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Michigan Good Food FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026Partnership to support growth-stage food businesses by helping entrepreneurs master their finances, scale operations, and access tools needed for long-term success. Jointly delivers the Growth & Financial Fluency Cohort program.
• CN (Canadian National Railway)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026CN certified two Genesee County properties (Advanced Manufacturing District and RACER Trust Davison Road Industrial Land) as Certified Rail-Ready Sites through CN's partnership with the Site Selectors Guild's REDI Sites program. This certification validates site readiness for industrial development.
• RACER TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026The Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response Trust partnered with the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance to have the Davison Road Industrial Land property certified as a CN Certified Rail-Ready Site. RACER Trust was created to clean up and position former GM properties for redevelopment.
• Site Selectors Guild (REDI Sites)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Partnership with CN's new REDI Sites program, an industry-recognized certification framework designed to bring greater rigor, consistency, and credibility to industrial site readiness.
• Michigan Economic Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Michigan Economic Development Corporation administers federal funding (SLFRP0127) for the Small Business Support Hub Program. The Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub is one of 27 hubs statewide established through this partnership.
• Crim Fitness FoundationminorOthersVenue partner for the Growth & Financial Fluency Cohort sessions held at 719 Harrison Street, Flint. Provides space for food business training programs.
• Genesee Entrepreneurial Network (GEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly GEN Launchpad events are co-hosted by the Genesee Entrepreneurial Network, providing open office hours-style networking for entrepreneurs and small business owners to connect with GEN partners and learn how to grow their businesses.
• Berston Field HousecoreOthersCommunity partner location for weekly open office hours every Monday 9am-3pm, providing accessible small business support services in Flint.
• Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber of CommercecoreOthersCommunity partner location for bi-weekly open office hours, providing small business support services in the Fenton area.
• Gloria Coles Flint Public LibrarycoreOthersLocation for monthly GEN Launchpad events (last Thursday of each month, 1pm-3pm) and occasional grant application support sessions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Greater Cleveland Partnership: Major regional EDO and chamber hybrid serving Greater Cleveland with small business programs, site selection, and industrial attraction. Comparable as a Rust Belt post-industrial EDO with similar demographic and economic development challenges.

Direct peers

• Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC): Michigan-based non-profit economic development corporation providing small business support, real estate development, and industrial attraction services. Directly comparable as a regional EDO serving a post-industrial Michigan community with similar grant programs and site-selection mandates.
• Ann Arbor SPARK: Michigan's premier economic development organization serving the Ann Arbor region, providing business attraction, retention, and small business support. Comparable as a Michigan-based EDO with overlapping service portfolio (site selection, small business services, workforce programs).
• The Right Place (Grand Rapids): Regional economic development organization serving West Michigan with site selection, small business services, and talent programs. Closely comparable model — community-led EDO offering integrated business attraction, retention, and entrepreneur support.
• Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber of commerce offering business support, advocacy, and networking — overlapping significantly with the Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber community hub partner of Flint & Genesee. Comparable as a membership/community partner for SMB engagement.
• Michigan Good Food Fund: Statewide fund providing capital and technical assistance to good food businesses in Michigan, and a strategic partner of Flint & Genesee on the Growth & Financial Fluency Cohort. Comparable as a vertical-specific small business support and capital provider targeting Michigan food entrepreneurs.
• Lakeshore Advantage: Michigan-based economic development organization serving the Holland/Zeeland area with workforce, site selection, and small business services. Comparable as a regional Michigan EDO with similar scope and community-led GTM motion.

Others

• Site Selectors Guild: Industry association of professional site selection consultants and the REDI Sites program partner with CN. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler that channels corporate site searches toward certified rail-ready properties like Flint & Genesee's Advanced Manufacturing District.

Broad incumbents

• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC): State-level economic development corporation administering the Small Business Support Hub Program of which Flint & Genesee is a part. Comparable as the upstream funder and program designer for the Alliance's services; a strategic partner rather than competitor, but defines the operating framework.
• Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC): Statewide SBA-affiliated network providing no-cost small business consulting, training, and capital access across Michigan. Comparable as a peer small business support program; offers overlapping advisory/coaching services and shares federal-state funding DNA.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/flintgeneseegroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/FlintGeneseeEA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flintgeneseeea

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments38 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance