Flint Town Hall Meeting Provides Forum for Community Programs

Flint government, nonprofit, business and law enforcement agencies come together
to provide information on community-based programs

(FLINT, MICHIGAN, June 19, 2009) -- A consortium of government, law enforcement, business and nonprofit organizations will host a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Broome Center on Saginaw Street near Stewart Avenue. The Town Hall meeting will be a forum for providing businesses and residents information on programs that are available to help them improve their neighborhoods or businesses.

“The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce is working in partnership with many different organizations to bring important, up-to-date information to Flint residents that I believe will help empower them to improve their neighborhoods and lives,” said Tim Herman, Regional Chamber CEO.

The Town Hall Meeting is co-hosted by many different local organizations including the Flint City Council and Mayor’s Office, North Saginaw Street Business Association, Flint Downtown Weed & Seed, Flint North Central Weed & Seed, Greater Flint Health Coalition, the African American Advisory Group, Career Alliance, Genesee County Community Action Resource Department, City of Flint Police Department, Genesee County Sheriff and the U.S. Census Bureau.

“Our residents need good information about available programs,” said Flint City Council President, Jim Ananich. “We’re bringing information about existing and new resources in the community.”

One program is the Weed & Seed program sponsored by the US Department of Justice.

“Over 300 communities across the country participate in Weed & Seed programs,” said Herman. “One of the newest Weed & Seed districts is in downtown Flint.”

A second program is located north of the downtown area and has been operational for five years. A third program has just completed a five-year funding cycle on the eastside. A Weed & Seed program is designed to provide funding for increased police protection in distressed neighborhoods for “weeding” out criminal elements and additional funding for “seeding” programs that help neighborhoods stabilize and rebuild.

The Weed & Seed areas are bounded by Court Street on the south, Saginaw Street and Industrial Avenue on the east, Carpenter Road on the north, and Clio Road and Ballenger Highway on the west.

Other area service agencies will be in attendance at the event to provide information for residents and businesses.

Residents will find information on the following topics:

• Crime fighting initiatives
• How to qualify for low income home loans
• Ways to reduce utility bills
• Job training assistance
• Foreclosure avoidance
• The importance of the 2010 Census

Businesses will find information on these topics:

• Increased law enforcement presence
• Tax credits for businesses
• Government contracts
• State and federal stimulus grants
• Business plan development

The Town Hall Meeting will consist of an overview of services provided and a brief question and answer period. Representatives from services providers will be on hand to field questions and provide literature to attendees from designated areas in the Broome Center gymnasium.

“This community has an opportunity to make significant improvements if our citizens and business owners are given the help they need,” said Ananich. “The Town Hall Meeting brings many of our community’s government and nonprofit service agencies together under one roof so information on programs is easily accessible.”