Economic Development

Pete Hardy designed a machine to make pure, perfectly crystal clear ice. Today, his ice is used in craft cocktails all over Michigan.

Forget shaken or stirred; what matters is the clarity of your ice

One of the details of a fine craft cocktail begins right here in Bay City where Pete Hardy makes crystal clear artisan ice that eventually chills drinks throughout Michigan.

Latest in Economic Development
The 2019 Tall Ship Celebration yarn is based on this photo from the inside of a ship. She says the 2019 yarn will feature shades of black, blue, brown, and cream.
Tall ships and . . . yarn? It’s a hit in Bay City

A Piece of Ewe is awaiting the arrival of an exclusive yarn created in honor of the 2019 Tall Ship Celebration. The yarn the shop had created for the 2016 Celebration remains popular at the Bay City store.  

Loud and proud: Pride 2019 in the Great Lakes Bay Region

Loud and proud, here are just a few of the events groups, events and efforts that happened this June or are still taking place in the Great Lakes Bay Region for Pride 2019.

Makers Series: Metal artists in Midland transforming everyday materials

A sheet of copper or a used bike chain are sources of inspiration for these two Midland artists.

Side Gig Series: Locals passionately crushing their side hustles through sailing and stories

Here are two examples of Midland locals who are putting their passions to work after 5:00 with the help of sailing and stories.

Keeping Character opens this month in Bay City, featuring rustic, refurbished items.
‘Rustic re-sell’ shop to open furniture store in downtown Bay City

Keeping Character, located at 906 N. Water St., grew out of a furniture refinishing hobby. At the downtown Bay City store, you'll find rustic, refurbished items.  

Poster courtesy of the Cool City Car Show and Cruz
Welcome in the summer with the Midland Street Wine Walk

The Midland Street Wine Walk, established in 2014, steps off this year on June 20. Organizers expect to sell about 700 tickets for the annual event.

Tall Ship Celebration sails into Bay City this July

Visitors to this year’s Tall Ship Celebration, which takes place from July 18-21 in downtown Bay City, have the opportunity to sample history while greeting the Pride of Baltimore II, a ship that’s become a Great Lakes Bay Region favorite.

Automated and aerial: Drone & Robotics Festival takes over Jack Barstow Municipal Airport

The first ever Drone & Robotics Festival brought the community together around some pretty cool technology with the aim of highlighting aviation as a growing STEM field.

Big bang theory: Science and art collide in creativity with astronaut’s visit to town

Captain Scott Kelly treated over 1,400 students to a talk about life on earth and in space as part of the 2019 ACS Central Regional Meeting, which took place in Midland this June.

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