Battle Creek Unlimited

The BCU team attended Grand Valley State University - Battle Creek & SW Michigan's event celebrating the construction and progress on the Battle Creek Innovation Hub on Wednesday. Our President and CEO, Joe Sobieralski, was one of the speakers who addressed the attendees: "It truly does take a village, and I am honored to be a part of it along with my colleagues and Board members of Battle Creek Unlimited and the partnership with Grand Valley State University and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation - we are creating something special. Projects like this wouldn’t be possible without collaboration like you see here today. Facilities such as the Battle Creek Innovation Hub anchored with an institution such as Grand Valley State University are critical for the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Battle Creek. It not only provides a vibrant addition and functional space, but it also provides educational opportunities and advancements for youth and citizens of the Battle Creek region. We are building momentum – with intentionality." Stay tuned for future updates on this exciting development downtown! For more information, see GVSU's press release about the event: https://lnkd.in/gYRtWj4e #economicdevelopment #innovationhub #battlecreek #michigan #education

Although it might not feel quite like spring just yet, warmer days are right around the corner here in Battle Creek! We’re excited for the community to get outside, soak up the sunshine, and take part in all the great events, local markets, outdoor patios, and beautiful natural spots our city has to offer. What is the activity you or your staff are looking forward to the most once (real) Michigan sunshine hits? Let us know in the comments below. #battlecreek #michigan #community

Supply chain management firm Bay Logistics, Inc. has established a new distribution center in Battle Creek. The company, which provides warehousing and 3rd-party logistics services, recently acquired the property at 300 Fritz Keiper Blvd. in the Fort Custer Industrial Park. The 107,560-square foot property sits on 13.8 acres. It was originally occupied by Koyo Corporation of Japan, which began operations in 1989. Most recently, the facility housed DENSO Air Systems. With quick access to major highways and rail networks, the Battle Creek location offers access to making it an ideal hub for both inbound and outbound logistics operations. This strategic advantage will allow Bay Logistics to optimize its transportation routes, reduce shipping costs, and enhance overall service delivery. As the company continues to expand its footprint, the Battle Creek distribution center will play a crucial role in supporting its long-term growth objectives and reinforcing its reputation as a leader in the logistics industry. Welcome to Battle Creek, Bay Logistics Team! Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/gjVFDY_9 Learn more about Bay Logistics here: https://lnkd.in/ehfvbVFX #battlecreek #economicdevelopment #michigan #logistics

Congratulations to Clark Logic, which recently acquired the building at the corner of Fritz Keiper Blvd and Denso Road in the Fort Custer Industrial Park. Built in 1998, the 96,000-square foot industrial property is situated on 5 acres. The building was previously occupied by Toyota Tsusho. Clark Logic, based in Portage, Michigan, provides warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment services to a wide variety of regional clients. This is the company’s second property in the Fort Custer Industrial Park. Clark Logic acquired the 90,000-square foot facility at 5251 Wayne Road in late 2023. The new building gives them expanded capacity to meet the growing demand for warehouse space. Battle Creek’s Fort Custer Industrial Park is the largest facility of its kind in Michigan. Comprised of 3,000 acres, it is home to nearly 90 businesses, including more than two dozen international companies, representing Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, German, and Japan. These companies collectively employ approximately 13,000 people. The park is managed by Battle Creek Unlimited, the City of Battle Creek’s economic development partner. To learn more about Clark Logic and their services, visit their website at: https://clarklogic.com/ #battlecreek #economicdevelopment #michigan

Downtown Battle Creek is hosting the 2025 Michigan ProStart Invitational today and tomorrow at the DoubleTree by Hilton Battle Creek and the Kellogg Arena - organized by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. This prestigious event brings together ProStart students from across the state to compete in a range of disciplines, including Culinary, Management, Tabletop Design, Knife Skills, and more. Representing Battle Creek, the Calhoun Area Career Center (CACC) is among the competitors. CACC is known for its exceptional Culinary program, and their talented students are ready to showcase their skills. As a valued member of the SUITE Collaborative educational initiative (along with MRLA) at the DoubleTree, CACC plays an important role in shaping the future of culinary education. We encourage the community to join us in supporting these future leaders of the culinary industry as they demonstrate their hard work, dedication, and talent. Spectators will be able to watch the CACC compete from the arena stands at approximately 10:15 am tomorrow. Good luck to all ProStart participants! Find out more about ProStart here: https://lnkd.in/dgTfzVaQ #battlecreek #prostart #michigan #michigantalent

Downtown Battle Creek is hosting the 2025 Michigan ProStart Invitational today and tomorrow at the DoubleTree by Hilton Battle Creek and the Kellogg Arena - organized by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. This prestigious event brings together ProStart students from across the state to compete in a range of disciplines, including Culinary, Management, Tabletop Design, Knife Skills, and more. Representing Battle Creek, the Calhoun Area Career Center (CACC) is among the competitors. CACC is known for its exceptional Culinary program, and their talented students are ready to showcase their skills. As a valued member of the SUITE Collaborative educational initiative (along with MRLA) at the DoubleTree, CACC plays an important role in shaping the future of culinary education. We encourage the community to join us in supporting these future leaders of the culinary industry as they demonstrate their hard work, dedication, and talent. Spectators will be able to watch the CACC compete from the arena stands at approximately 10:15 am tomorrow. Good luck to all ProStart participants! Find out more about ProStart here: https://lnkd.in/dgTfzVaQ #battlecreek #prostart #michigan #michigantalent

We are pleased to congratulate our President and CEO, Joe Sobieralski, for being named as a 2024 Crain's Grand Rapids Business Newsmaker of the Year in the Hospitality category. Joe was singled out due to his leadership on the redevelopment of the DoubleTree by Hilton Battle Creek. Representatives from BCU as well as our board and the city attended the ceremony this morning, and it was an honor to celebrate with the other nominees and awardees. Joe shared the following remarks: “It is truly an honor to be recognized but this recognition extends well beyond myself or BCU. This was a huge community lift with many organizations and respective staff stepping up to make a vision a reality,” said Sobieralski. “I want to thank the many Board Members, staff members, and generous financial contributors for making this project a headliner for the Battle Creek community.” Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gaMAfjKd #battlecreek #economicdevelopment #communitydevelopment

BCU is excited to present its Winter 2025 Quarterly Newsletter. In this edition, you'll find: -From the President’s Desk; -New Junkers Aircraft Factory Announced for Battle Creek; -BCU President & CEO Joe Sobieralski Named 2024 Newsmaker; -KCC, WMU Receive $4.7 Million for EV Training Initiative; -Battle Creek Named 2024 eCities Honored Community; and more! You can read all about it on our website: https://lnkd.in/gidkUM9v

We are excited to announce new growth in Battle Creek! WACO Aircraft Corp and DIMOR Group are investing in a new expansion, building world-class aircraft and creating new job opportunities for our community. "Led by passionate aviator and chairman Dieter Morszeck, DIMOR Group will invest an additional $12M into the WACO Aircraft Corporation’s campus to build a brand-new JUNKERS Aircraft factory in Battle Creek, Michigan. This investment reinforces the DIMOR Group’s commitment to the region’s economic development and the U.S. production of its handcrafted, open-cockpit airplanes and the nearly $30M DIMOR Group previously invested in the campus to date. Preparatory work at the Battle Creek Executive Airport site is underway with the 45,000 square-foot addition expected to be completed this August. The factory plans include state-of-the-art machinery, assembly fixtures, and all-new tooling to allow for increased metal forming and machining capabilities needed to support aircraft production. The site is already home to WACO Aircraft Corporation, builder of bespoke, open-cockpit biplanes, and CENTENNIAL Aircraft Services, a full-service fixed base operator offering fuel sales, pilot amenities, and general aircraft services." Read the rest of the press release provided by WACO below and stay tuned as this project progresses: https://lnkd.in/gVY-GZa6 #battlecreek #aviation #economicdevelopment

Today, BCU offices will be closed in honor of the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”