Here are the highlights from our Oct, 2019 meeting.
Infusing New Life Into The GLBR
Wayne Hofmann, co-founder of Infuse Great Lakes Bay, spoke to our club this week about the importance of reinvigorating communities beginning with their downtown areas.
Infuse GLB is a regionally based local non-profit, all volunteer organization which focuses on incremental development. They have given new life to empty buildings throughout the GLBR such as the SVRC building in Downtown Saginaw (former home of the Saginaw News), and The Legacy Building in Downtown Bay City. Infuse GLB has also renovated buildings in other areas as well such as Alma and Gladwin.
Wayne, along his with business partner Jenifer Acosta, work diligently during their free time to breath new life into unused properties throughout the GLBR in an effort to revitalize cities beginning with their downtown areas. Studies have shown if communities make their downtowns more appealing then people are more likely to not only visit, but move to the area as well. That is the goal of Infuse GLB.
Infuse GLB takes old properties which have laid dormant for years, and transforms them into new commercial and residential spaces. Considerable research, planning, and effort goes into each new project to ensure the buildings, and the businesses which will occupy the spaces, will truly benefit the area by bringing in new jobs and residents.
"We need to utilize the assets we have," Wayne said during his presentation.
By focusing largely on downtowns, midtowns, and neighborhoods Infuse GLB provides technical assistance to developers, investors, and owners. Infuse GLB provides them with the proper training and education, and connects them to service providers which aid them in developing their properties from beginning to end.
Infuse GLB are advocates for these new property owners and assists them in securing property grants. They then teach them how their buildings can make money which goes back into the community. One example Wayne gave was taking a two story property and utilizing the first floor as a business, and the second floor as a living space which the property owner can rent out. This would allow the property owner to benefit financially twice off just one property.
For more information on Infuse Great Lakes Bay please visit their website at https://infuseglb.org/
Announcements
Nov 14th - Combined meeting with Morning Club for our annual Vocational Day. This year it will be hosted by Morning Rotary.
Upcoming Presentations
Nov 5th - Presentation on Club History
Nov 12th - Bay Area Community Foundation
Nov 26th - Celebrating Our Family of Rotary
Dec 3rd -Bay City Housing
Dec 10th - Club Celebration
Dec 17th - Holiday Program
More programs are needed. If you, or someone you know, who like to give a presentation please contact Tara, Carrie, or Paul.
Upcoming Meeting Announcements
NO meetings on December 24th or 31st due to the holidays.
Upcoming Events
Nov 15th - Rotary Foundation Gala in Frankenmuth
May 1st & 2nd, 2020 - District 6310 Conference in Mt. Pleasant
June 6th through 10th, 2020 - Rotary International Convention in Honolulu, HI
Well, that's it for this edition of The New Rotary Breezes everyone! I hope you enjoyed it!
