Industry ● Environment ● Agriculture ● Diversity
Gratiot County
Community Economic Profile 2012-2013
www.Gratiot.org
Growth
Hospitality ● Opportunity ● Stability ● Harmony
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Gratiot County
Located in the center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula between the industrial areas of the south
and the recreational areas of the north, the county blends the rural and the industrial sectors with a
superior quality of life. The commercial and industrial development in the county is centered primarily
along the US-127 corridor to the North and South around the cities of Ithaca, Alma, and St. Louis. In
addition, M-46 runs East and West in the Northern third of the county, with M-57 traveling east and
west on the southern third.
Gratiot County is a leading producer of dry beans, sugar beets, corn wheat, oats, poultry, pork,
beef and dairy products, with agriculture accounting for almost 70% of all land use. A very strong agribusiness sector is a growing aspect of the regional economy. Manufactured products are varied and
include pleasure boats, molded plastic parts, aircraft, auto parts, and many fabricated and machined
products. In addition, a very strong health care sector and three state correctional facilities contribute
to a significantly diverse and stable employment base. Wind power development and deployment is
driving new investment in Gratiot County as construction and assembly of the State’s largest wind farm
was completed in 2012
The Pine and Maple Rivers, three state game areas, bicycle rail trails, and two county parks with
swimming and hiking options offer exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities in the county. Alma
College is an acclaimed private liberal arts college with 1,417 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of
13 to 1; the College’s recreational and cultural programs are widely enjoyed by the campus and
community.
Gratiot County is looking to the future and expanding upon the historical base that has made it a
great place to live, work and play.
2
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Demographics
Location:
Population:
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
City
Chicago
Cleveland
Detroit
Grand Rapids
Indianapolis
Lansing
Toronto
Saginaw
42,145
42,476
41,948
42,245
42,288
Source: U. S, Census Bureau (www.census.gov)
Employment:
Total Labor Force 2011:
Total Employed:
Unemployed:
Unemployment Rate:
18,731
16,795
1,936
10.3%
Commuter Labor Force (estimate):
Bus lines:
Truck
transportation
lines:
Rail lines:
172,683
1,060,187
Annual Average Unemployment Rates:
2011
2010
2009
2005
2000
10.3%
12.4%
13.5%
8.2%
4.5%
1
28
Marine ports:
Airports:
Source: Michigan Labor Market Information (www.milmi.org)
Labor Force and Education:
Workers 16 and Older (2010):
Average time spent commuting (in
minutes):
Percentage who work at home:
Educational Attainments (2010)
Persons 25 years of age or older:
Percentage with high school diploma or
higher:
Percentage with Bachelor’s Degree or
higher:
Foreign trade zone:
Elevation:
16,604
22.0
Cropland:
Forest:
Pasture:
Surface water:
Other: (commercial, industrial,
residential, and roads)
Total acres:
28,033
87.0%
13.5%
Population Statistics:
Number
Percent
38,487
2,354
90.6%
5.5%
197
0.5%
146
0.3%
10
>0.1%
2,301
580
5.4%
1.4%
Mid-Michigan Railroad,
Great Lakes Central
Railroad
Bay City (40 mi-Lake Huron)
Gratiot Community Airport
(Charter/freight, Alma)
MBS (30 mi-Saginaw)
Capital City (40 mi-Lansing)
Port of Lansing
230 m. above sea level
(approx.. 754 ft.)
Land Use:
4.2%
Source: ACS Estimates from U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov)
Race
White
Black or African American
American Indian and Alaska
Native
Asian
Native Hawaiian/Pacific
Islander
Hispanic/Latino Origin
Other/Two or more*
Kilometers
418
447
215
120
474
73
579
61
Access to Markets/Transportation:
US-127, M-46, M-57
Main highways:
Source: Michigan Labor Market Information (www.milmi.org)
30 mile Radius (45 minutes):
60 mile Radius (75 minutes):
Miles
260
278
134
82
295
45
580
38
Age
Under 5
18 and older
65 and older
Gender
Male
Female
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov)
*Combination of other single race and two or more races
3
68.4%
7.5%
1.4%
.2%
14.9%
365,081
Number
2,307
33,359
6,271
Percent
5.4%
78.5%
14.8%
22,599
19,877
53.2%
46.8%
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Income and Employment
Per Capita Income ($)(BEA)
Year
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2000
1995
1990
Median Household Income ($) (Census)
County
State
National
Year
County
State
National
28,621
27,463
25,545
25,736
24,819
24,535
20,017
17,885
14,203
34,691
33,514
35,282
34,419
33,365
32,409
29,400
23,428
18,719
39,945
38,846
40,947
39,506
37,725
35,452
30,319
23,262
19,354
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2000
1995
1990
40,227
36,770
42,687
41,497
40,777
41,183
37,665
31,760
24,530
45,354
45,254
49,788
49,370
48,647
45,933
45,512
36,426
29,937
50,046
50,221
50,303
50,233
48,201
46,326
41,990
34,076
29,943
Source: Michigan Labor Market Information (www.milmi.org)
4
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Industry Employment, Wages, and Earnings
Total
Employees
Median Employee
Earnings ($)
17,137
26,252
777
32,810
53,201
635
142
926
2,689
343
1,559
768
30,773
33,705
34,306
31,118
36,125
19,681
37,130
52,681
520
15,109
103,755
77,671
41,125
D
655
113
238
725
33,897
52,132
15,313
22,275
D
D
2,824
29,654
526
199
870
25,000
16,659
21,411
25,024
4,630
D
362
30,833
D
4
504
18,456
D
28,343
4,511
24,261
D
1,739
2,772
1,590
26,810
23,706
10,172
D
D
19,665
383
1,207
900
1,241
17,708
8,464
16,810
50,545
2,342
17,323
26,175
140,553
Civilian employed population 16 years and
over
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting,
and mining:
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing, and
utilities:
Transportation and warehousing
Utilities
Information
Finance and insurance, and real estate and
rental and leasing:
Finance and insurance
Real estate and rental and leasing
Professional, scientific, and management,
and administrative and waste management
services:
Professional Scientific, and Technical
Services
Management of Companies and Enterprises
Administrative and Support and Waste
Management Services
Educational services, and health care and
social assistance:
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and
accommodation and food services:
Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Accommodation and food services
Other services, except public administration
Public administration
Average Industry
Earnings ($)
Source: ACS Estimates from U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov) and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (www.bea.gov)
D-Not shown to avoid disclosure of confidential information.
Employment History—“Six month Snapshot”
Year
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
Period
June
May
April
March
February
January
Labor Force
19,098
18,972
18,679
18,838
18.581
18,591
Employed
17,264
17,349
17,090
17,033
16,727
16,620
Source: Michigan Labor Market Information (www.milmi.org)
5
Unemployed
1,834
1,623
1,589
1,805
1,854
1,971
Unemployment Rate
9.6%
8.6%
8.5%
9.6%
10.0%
10.6%
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Principal Base Employers/Demonstrating Significant Industry by Sector (sorted by location)
332722
611310
322211
421830
NAICS
Firm
ABC Fastener
Alma College
Alma Container Corp.
ADW Industries
Location
Alma
Alma
Alma
Alma
Employment (FTE)
Alma Products
Alma
268.0
326212
336612
22121
331521
Alma Tire
Avalon & Tahoe Mfg.
Consumers Energy Co.
Contech Castings
Alma
Alma
Alma
Alma
27.0
154.0
143.5
114.5
213111
513310
St. Louis
Alma
5.5
15.0
Alma
750.0
Regional medical care
326199
DuBar Drilling Fluids
Frontier
Communication
Mid-Michigan Medical
Center – Gratiot
IAC (formerly LEAR)
Product/Service
Industrial fasteners
Education
Fabricating corrugated containers
Custom machinery and material
handling systems
OEM manufacturing/remanufacturing of
automotive components
Wholesale retail and retreading of tires
Recreational pontoon boats
Electricity and gas/telephone call center
Aluminum die-castings, automotive
parts
Oil and gas well drilling services
Telephone service
336322
Alma
483.0
326112
Liquipak
Alma
34.5
623312
42161
332000
Masonic Pathways
Medler Electric
Merrill Fabricators
Alma
Alma
Alma
294.0
20.0
182.5
62431
Alma
6.5
Alma
19.5
Alma
14.5
Alma & St. Louis
46.0
Breckenridge
25.0
Custom agricultural services
Breckenridge
Breckenridge/
Middleton
Breckenridge
Breckenridge
Ithaca
29.5
25.0
Farm implement sales and service
Bean and grain elevator, farm supplies
6.0
21.0
65.0
333514
Mid-Michigan
Industries
Production Machining
of Alma
Terry Asphalt
Materials of Michigan
Great Lakes
Petroleum
Crop Production
Services
Janson Equipment
Michigan Agricultural
Commodities
Northwest Energy
DuPont/Pioneer**
Aircraft Precision
Products Co.
Anchor Danly
Plastic products, injection molded
automotive parts
Manufacturing of flexible pouch and
contract packaging
Retirement community
Wholesale electric components
Fabricator, machining and custom
equipment builds
Rehabilitation/sheltered workshop for
disabled
Machining of steel castings and other
automotive parts
Various grades of asphalts for road
paving, repair, and general construction
Gasoline wholesale and distribution
Ithaca
102.0
336399
325910
331111
339999
Barry Controls
Cartridges Are Us, Inc.
C & S Steel
Craig Frames
Ithaca
Ithaca
Ithaca
Ithaca
144.0
420.5
20.0
41.0
Propane bulk stations & terminals
Research and development
Parts and components for jet aircraft
engines
Presses, machine tools, die sets, and die
makers' supplies
OEM anti-vibration components for cars
Inkjet printer cartridge refilling
Steel sales & fabrication
Manufacturer of picture frames, wood
and metal
622110
336399
324121
422720
115112
421820
422510
444710
541710
336413
20.0
362.5
15.5
14.0
6
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
NAICS
333291
Location
Employment (FTE)
Dufrene Machinery,
Inc.
Ithaca
24.5
E & S Graphics
Ithaca Coatings, LLC
Ithaca Manufacturing
Misenhelder Welding
Monosem Inc.
Powder Coating of
Central MI
Precision Machine and
Manufacturing
(formerly Davis)
Precision Plastics &
Die
Schrader
Environmental
Spark’s Pickle
Company**
Central Michigan
Packing
Brink’s Machine Co,
Inc.
Garr Tool Company
Alpha Plastics, Inc.
Americast
Ithaca
Ithaca
Ithaca
Ithaca
Ithaca
Ithaca
4.5
51.0
4.0
4.5
4.0
2.0
Manufacturing of corrugated container
machines and general equipment
rigging
Printing, photo-offset
Autophoretic coating
Custom manufactured steel products
Welding services
Precision agricultural planter assembly
Powder coating of metal parts
Ithaca
18.5
Custom machining and fabricating
Ithaca
20.0
Ithaca
15.0
Thermo set compression and injection
molded plastic parts
Environmental remediation equipment
Newark
Township
Lafayette Twp.
10.5
Pickle, sorting, grading, and processing
Dissolving
Pine River Twp.
16.0
Pine River Twp.
St. Louis
St. Louis
131.0
25.5
3.0
St. Louis
St. Louis
57.0
75.5
St. Louis
25.0
St. Louis
St. Louis
33.0
30.0
St. Louis
846.5
Three state correctional facilities
333514
Apex Marine
Bear Truss &
Components
Crippen
Manufacturing Co.
JER-DEN Plastics, Inc.
Michigan Chloride
Sales
Michigan Correctional
Facility
Momentum Industries
Custom machine building, tools, and
dies
Machine tools and carbide cutting tools
Profile extruded plastic parts
Countertops, sinks, and related
manufacturing
Recreational pontoon boats
Engineered roof, floor trusses, and wall
panels
Grain cleaning, sorting, and transfer
equipment
Rotational molding
Distribute chloride products
St. Louis
11.0
332812
Plasti-Paint, Inc.
St. Louis
93.0
313312
Powell Fabrication &
Mfg.
Schnepp's Health Care
Center
Bader & Sons
St. Louis
32.5
St. Louis
106.0
Manufacturing of tools and other
products
Advanced painting of plastic parts and
components
Bleach and chlorine machines and
systems
Nursing home
Bethany Twp.
41.5
323110
332812
336999
811310
333111
332812
33271
326199
562910
115114
115114
333514
333512
326199
327991
336612
321214
333294
326199
422690
92214
623312
421820
Firm
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Product/Service
Vegetable packing
Farm machinery and equipment
wholesaling
1
Staff at GGD annually collects this data. Employment represents the number of Full-time Equivalent (FTE) employees (FTE=FT+ PT) at the
firm as of June 2012.
*Indicates FTE not available (figure is number of workers)
1
**Indicates the hiring of seasonal help, which in these cases are counted as of a full-time employee in the FTE formula
6
7
2
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Business and Commercial Services
Financial Institutions
Institution
Offices in
Gratiot County
Alma, Ithaca, Vestaburg
Breckenridge, St. Louis
7
Employment
(FTE)
122.0
Alma, St. Louis
2
15.0
Ithaca
6
58.0
Breckenridge/Ithaca
2
25.0
Alma
1
5.5
Alma
1
6.5
Alma, Ithaca
2
13.0
Alma
1
7.0
Local Offices
Total Assets
(in thousands)
$275,333
$5,391,778
$411,634
$1,370,000
$4,489,198
$12,598
$20,487
$5,488,745
Source: City of Alma (www.ci.alma.mi.us), Isabella Bank (www.isabellabank.com), Greenstone Farm Credit Services (www.greenstonefcs.com)
Commercial Services
Industrial Park
Alma Industrial Park
Ithaca Industrial Park
South Ithaca Industrial Park (also
a Renaissance Zone)
St. Louis Woodside Industrial
Park
Breckenridge Technology Park
Renaissance Zones*
Total Acres
Acres Available
68
66.11
14.5
13.69
114.65
80.25
107.12
38.33
145
N/A
140
N/A
Other industrial sites are available for small and large projects
All industrial parks in Gratiot County are State of Michigan Certified Business Parks
*Renaissance Zone Status expired in 2012 except in Breckenridge Technology Park which continues through 2015
Construction Permits
County and Alma (for 2011)
2011
2010
Units
148
N/A
N/A
($) Value
13,961,298
73
8,472,584
Ithaca
Units
77
75
($) Value
1,280,984
1,358,489
St. Louis
Units
93
106
($)Value
N/A
342,031,08
Total
Units
318
N/A
($) Value
N/A
N/A
Housing
Total number of housing units:
Owner occupied:
Rent occupied:
% of Homes Vacant (Gratiot County)
16,339
11,099
3,753
9.1%
Median home value:
Median gross rent:
Unoccupied housing units
% of Homes Vacant (Michigan)
Source: from U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov)
8
$95,900
$490
1,487
14.6%
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Quality of Life
Educational Facilities
Public School
Districts
Alma Public
Schools
Ashley
Community
Schools
Breckenridge
Community
Schools
Fulton Schools
Ithaca Public
Schools
St. Louis Public
Schools
Private Schools
Good Shepherd
Early Childhood
Center (Alma)
St. Mary’s School
(Alma)
Countryside
Christian School
(Ithaca)
Seventh Day
Adventist
(Ithaca)
# of Students
Instructional
Staff/Total
Employees
# of Facilities
Expenditures
Per Pupil*
2,198
128.0/256.0
6
$10,218
302
18.0/48.0
3
$8,549
799
47.0/99.0
4
$8,961
683
1,332
42.0/107.0
86.0/147.5
4
3
$9,786
$8,877
1,195
74.0/120.0
5
$9,043
38
2.0/5.0
1
N/A
94
10.0/13.0
1
N/A
78
8.0/8.0
1
N/A
6
2.0/4.0
1
N/A
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (www.nces.ed.gov) and Private School Review (www.privateschoolreview.com)
*Expenditures per pupil reflects the fiscal information of the 2008-09 school year for consistency among reported figures.
Italicized figures reflect last year’s numbers.
College and University Information
Alma College, a private four-year liberal arts institution. Enrollment 1,417
The Alma location of Davenport University, in connection with the Davenport system, offers Bachelor’s
Degrees, Associate’s Degrees, and other certificates.
Within a 50 minute drive, there are seven universities and four community colleges. These include,
Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University, Northwood University,
Ferris State University, Delta College, Baker College, Mid-Michigan Community College, Lansing Community
College, and Montcalm Community College
9
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Municipal Services
Utilities
Community
City of St. Louis
Arcada
Bethany
Elba
Emerson
Fulton
Hamilton
Lafayette
New Haven
Newark
North Shade
North Star
Pine River
Seville
Sumner
Washington
Wheeler
All other townships and cities
Electricity
Gas
Municipal Electric Utility &
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy & Tri- County
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy & Tri- County
Consumers Energy & Tri- County
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy & Tri- County
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy & Tri- County
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy & Tri- County
Consumers Energy & Tri- County
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy & Tri- County
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
MichCon
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
MichCon
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy & MichCon
Consumers Energy & MichCon
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy
Source: http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/cgi-bin/mpsc/electric-gas-townships.cgi?townsearch=g*.
Water
Community
Alma
Ashley
Breckenridge
Ithaca
St. Louis
Source
River/Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Capacity
Use/day
Pressure
(gallons x 100,000)
(gallons x 100,000)
(lb./sq. inch)
40
.65
2
20
33
10
.5/day
1/day
3/day
8.5
45-70
42-46
52-62
68-80
60-62
Italicized figures represent numbers from previous years
Sewer
Community
Alma
Ashley
Breckenridge
Ithaca
St. Louis
Type
Act. Sludge
Lagoon
Lagoon
Lagoon
Tertiary Class C
Capacity
Load
(gallons x 100,000)
(gallons x 100,000)
25.00
7.49
1.3/yr.
17.00
50.00/yr.
20.00
.458
.9/yr.
4.38
11.00/day
Source: Michigan Health Department, LDO’s, and regional planning offices
Italicized figures represent numbers from previous years
Telecommunications
Local phone companies
Digital switching
Fiber optic
Cable modem
Wireless internet
Frontier Communication, Winn Telecom, Charter Communications
Yes
Yes
Offered in all municipal areas
Available in most areas
10
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Local Government
Community
Gratiot County Administrator
Gratiot County Clerk
City of Alma
City of Ithaca
City of St. Louis
Village of Ashley
Village of Breckenridge
Village of Perrinton
Arcada Township
Bethany Township
Elba Township
Emerson Township
Hamilton Township
Lafayette Township
Newark Township
New Haven Township
North Shade Township
North Star Township
Pine River Township
Seville Township
Sumner Township
Washington Township
Wheeler Township
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Phone Number
Web address
(989) 875-5261
(989) 875-5215
(989) 463-8336
(989) 875-3200
(989) 681-2137
(989) 847-3050
(989) 842-3109
(989) 236-5161
(989) 875-2827
(989) 681-5548
(989) 847-2210
(989) 875-2273
(989) 847-2724
(989) 842-5656
(989) 875-3932
(989) 875-4451
(989) 236-7379
(989) 875-2088
(989) 681-5523
(989) 462-3482
(989) 833-2286
(989) 847-2641
(989) 842-5560
www.co.gratiot.mi.us/administration
www.co.gratiot.mi.us/clerk
www.ci.alma.mi.us
www.ithacami.com
www.stlouismi.com
www.ashleyvillage.org
www.breckenridgemi.com
www.arcadatownship.webs.com
www.elbatownship.org
Hamiltontwp.us
www.pinerivertwp.org
www.sumnertownship.com
www.wheelertownship.com
Law Enforcement
Gratiot County Sheriff’s Office
 24-hour road patrol service in all cities, rural areas, and villages
 24-hour Enhanced 911 Program
Ambulance Services
Mobile Medical Response (MMR)
 Operates 24-hours/day
 Emergency vehicles stationed in Alma, Ashley, and Ithaca
Gratiot County employs a central dispatching system for all public safety needs. All police, including
local municipal, Michigan State Police (located along U.S. 127 between Alma and Ithaca), and all fire
departments are dispatched on a need basis. All municipalities have local public safety services including
police, fire, and rescue.
*Municipal services are provided in Alma, Breckenridge, Ithaca, and St. Louis
11
2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Health Care
Mid-Michigan Medical Center – Gratiot
http://www.midmichigan.org/gratiot
A 142 bed, acute care facility, the main facilities for the Mid-Michigan Medical Center are located in Alma. Clinics and
specialty offices are located throughout the community of Gratiot County and beyond. The medical staff is comprised of more
than 130 employees and 750 employees provide the following specialty services throughout Gratiot County:
24-hour Emergency Room
Cardiology
Clinic Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Diagnostic Imaging (routine & interventional)
Immunization
Industrial Med, Services, and Travel
Mid-Michigan Gratiot Cancer Center (radiation &
oncology)
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Occupational Health
Carson Health Network
Orthopedic Surgery
Pain Management Network
Pediatrics
Psychiatric Services (in and outpatient)
Rehabilitation (various)
Renal Dialysis
Substance Abuse Center
Surgical Services
Urology
http://www.carsoncityhospital.com
The Carson City Hospital is located just outside the southwestern corner of Gratiot County and has 77 licensed beds
and a staff of 43 active physicians, 62 consulting physicians, and 31 courtesy staff. Clinic services are provided at the Ashley
Family Care Center and the Ithaca Family Care Center. Some of the services include:
Allergy, Asthma, Immunology
Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Dermatology
Emergency Room
Hematology & Oncology
Internal Medicine, Neurology, Optometry
OB/GYN, Pediatrics
Orthopedic Surgery
Urology
Gratiot County Care/Nursing Care &Retirement Facilities
Establishment
Employees Beds
Ashley Care Center
Gratiot Medical Center
The Laurels of Fulton
Masonic Pathways
Pine River Health Care Center
Schnepp’s Health Care Center
Warwick Living Center
12
95
63
794
142
60
50
506
425
71
80
137
127
80
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2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Community & Area Cultural and Recreational Activities
ATTRACTIONS, FAIRS, AND FESTIVALS:
May:
Highland Festival – Alma
Old Car Dust Off – Ithaca
June:
July:
Gratiot County Agriculture Expo – Ithaca
Farmer’s Market – Alma/Ithaca
Evenings in the Park – Gratiot Area Parks
Fishing Derby – St. Louis
Ithaca Kids Day Camp – Ithaca
Rural/Urban Day – Fair for Youth Grounds – Alma
4th of July Fireworks Celebrations – County wide
Evenings in the Park Concert Series – Gratiot Area Parks
Blues Festival – St. Louis
August:
September:
Hometown Fun Fest – Ithaca
Evenings in the Park – Gratiot Area Parks
Old US 127 Car Cruise – Ithaca/St. Louis
St. Louis Shopping Day – St. Louis
Gratiot County Fair for Youth – Alma
Cyclecross Bike Race – Ithaca
Lucky MacDuck Day – Alma
SIGNIFICANT PARKS:
Riverside – Alma
Wright – Alma
Leppin – St. Louis
Woodland – Ithaca
Lumberjack Park - Riverdale
Hubscher County Park – Sumner
Reed County Park – North Star
There are various bike and linear trails throughout Gratiot County
including the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail running from Alma to Greenville
with over 41 paved miles
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2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Community & Area Cultural and Recreational Activities, Cont.
BOWLING:
300 Bowl – Alma
Town and Country Recreation – Ithaca
GOLF:
9 Holes:
Overbrook Golf Course – Middleton 18 Holes: The Fields Golf Course – Ithaca
The Ridge – Breckenridge
Pine River Country Club – Alma
North Star Golf Course – North Star
Hidden Oaks Golf Club – St. Louis
HEALTH CLUBS:
Curves for Women – Alma
Young’s Health Club – Alma
Ithaca Health & Family Fitness
LEAGUE SPORTS:
Local basketball, bowling, golf, softball and tennis leagues are offered on a
community basis.
LIVE THEATER, ARTS & MUSIC:
Gratiot County Players – Alma
Heritage Center – Alma College
Evenings in the Park – Gratiot Area Parks
GEM Theater – St. Louis
St. Louis Blues Festival – St. Louis
MOVIE THEATERS:
Alma Cinemas – Alma
SPECTATOR SPORTS:
Alma College – Division III
Central Michigan University – Division I – Mt. Pleasant (30 min.)
Michigan State University – Division I – East Lansing (45 min.)
SWIMMING:
Alma College – Alma (indoor)
Alma High School – Alma (indoor)
Ithaca High School – Ithaca (outdoor)
W.T. Morris Community Pool – St. Louis (outdoor)
Hubscher County Park – Sumner
Reed County Park – North Star
WATER RECREATION:
Half Moon Lake
Rainbow Lake
Maple River
Pine River
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2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Development Assistance
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
(GGDI) was incorporated in 1978 to coordinate economic development and related services on behalf of the area
municipalities and County of Gratiot. GGDI acts as a countywide clearinghouse for information and assistance in retention,
expansion, and locating businesses in Gratiot County. Additionally, GGDI initiates and participates in other activities designed
to improve the economic climate in The Gratiot Community.
Operating as a public/private partnership, GGDI is recognized for participating in and initiating collaborative
relationships. This holistic approach to community development results in many affiliations and partnerships including:
Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce, East Michigan Council of Government, Michigan Small Business Development &
Technology Center (SBDTC), Gratiot County Strategic Planning Committee, Gratiot-Montcalm Renaissance Zone, Michigan
Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Economic Developers Association, Alma Industrial Development, Michigan
Certified Development Corporation (SBA 504 lending company), and Central Area Michigan Works Corporation Workforce
Investment Board. Due to GGDI’s coordinated approach to providing development services, virtually all requests for assistance,
services, referrals, and answers to development questions can be addressed at this office.
The Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber was formed in 1995 by the merger of the Alma, St. Louis, and Ithaca Chambers. Its two primary
responsibilities are to act as an advocate for business and to improve programs for quality of life in Gratiot County. Greater
Gratiot Development works closely with the Chamber placing high priority on job development and training, providing
appropriate growth space for business and industry, and promoting a more efficient use of the county’s assets. The Chamber
may be reached at (989) 463-5525. The Chamber and Greater Gratiot Development
share a web address at www.gratiot.org.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation
(MEDC) is a public body corporate (private/public partnership) created in 1999 as a successor to the acclaimed
Michigan Jobs Commission. The highly successful MEDC administers or provides guidance and counsel to link business
retention and attraction, job creation, job training programs, and business competitiveness issues. The MEDC works with
businesses to retain and create jobs and also prepare Michigan's workforce for those jobs. The MEDC’s mission is to continually
improve Michigan's overall business climate. The MEDC provides all economic development services at the State level. The
services are categorized under three general areas: economic/business development services (including attraction and
retention of business and industry); coordination for workforce development; and, business competitiveness issues. All MEDC
services may be accessed in conjunction with Greater Gratiot Development. The MEDC’s website can be found at
www.michiganadvtantage.org.
Gratiot Technical Education Center (GTEC)
In April of 1997, Gratiot residents and the Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District (RESD) implemented a
program for the promotion, facilitation, brokering and provision of employment, training and service opportunities to Gratiot
area business, industry, and residents. The program system and the facility is called, Gratiot Technical Education Center
(GTEC). Located in Alma, GTEC provides cost efficient vocational and employment assistance that is coordinated to meet the
needs of the private sector. It brings training from many resources via classes, interactive communications, and education
brokering to provide business and industry education offerings with state-of-the-art efficiencies. An interactive TV lab is
available to provide two-way, long distance training. A computer laboratory provides multi-media computer training
opportunities. Classroom space is available for business use. This facility is an office of the Michigan Works system. The GTEC
website can be found at www.gtec.edzone.net.
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2012 Gratiot County Economic Profile
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
Development Assistance, Cont.
Gratiot County Unified Tax Abatement Policy
All the municipalities in Gratiot County adopted a unified tax abatement formula under State of Michigan law (P.A. 198
of 1974) in 1982. This generous policy established a minimum number of years a company will be granted tax abatement for
qualified projects. A copy of the policy may be found on the web site, faxed, or mailed upon request.
Michigan Tax-Free Renaissance Zones
In 1996, Michigan instituted the nation’s first incentive program that established TAX FREE areas. Called Renaissance
Zones, these areas were created to generate economic growth in areas of the state that have not experienced the growth seen in
most of Michigan. Renaissance Zones have been designated throughout Michigan; one is located within Gratiot and Montcalm
Counties. The primary advantage of a location in a Zone is $0 property tax – zone status and zone benefits are now set to
terminate in 2012 and 2015 in Breckenridge.
There are a total of 9 sub-zones within the Gratiot/Montcalm RZ. Gratiot County contains four full sub-zones, and
Montcalm County, directly west of Gratiot County, contains four full sub zones. The two counties also share a sub-zone in the
southern region of each county. Total zone acreage in the two counties exceeds 2,300 acres. The four sub-zones in Gratiot
County are located in Bethany Township, Emerson/North Star Townships, the Village of Breckenridge and the City of Ithaca.
The sub zone located in the City of Ithaca is the South Ithaca Industrial Park. All four of these sub-zones are located close
and/or adjacent to U.S. 127 or M-46. Three have railway access. All sub zones have or are adjacent to municipal infrastructure.
The shared sub zone, located in North Shade Township (Gratiot County) and in Carson City/Bloomer Township (Montcalm
County), is located along M-57 and also has rail access. For more information, visit
http://www.gratiot.org/1/292/renaissance_zones.asp.
Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.
136 South Main
Ithaca, MI 48847
Donald C. Schurr, President
don.schurr@gratiot.org
(989) 875-2083
Frequently Requested Assistance
 Credit Lines or Enhancement
 Employee Recruitment, Screening and
Training
 Environmental Related Issues/
Brownfield Redevelopment
 Expansions
 Locations
 New Business Start-Ups
 New Product Development
 Permits
 Spin-Off Ventures from Existing Firms
 Strategic Planning
Frequently Used Programs
 Access to State and Federal Programs
 Brownfield Redevelopment
 Employee Training Programs
 Financial Packaging
 Industrial Tax Abatement
 SBA Lending Programs
 Small Business Counseling
 Taxable and Tax Exempt Revenue
Bonds
16