Economic Profile
Gratiot County


Gratiot County is located at the center of Michigan's lower peninsula between the industrial areas of the south and the recreational area of the north. Much of the county is rural and dependent upon agriculture.

The area is a leading producer of dry beans, sugar beets, corn, wheat, corn oats, poultry, pigs, cattle and dairy products. Agriculture accounts for more than 76% of all land use.

The commercial and industrial development in the county is centered primarily along the U.S. 27 corridor around the cities of Ithaca, Alma and St. Louis. Manufactured products include pleasure boats, molded plastic parts, aircraft and auto parts. The county also relies on retail trade and service industries.

The Pine and Maple Rivers and three State Game Areas offer recreational opportunities in the county.

Alma College is located in the City of Alma.

Highway U.S. 27 passes through the county from north to south. It is intersected to the north by M-46 and to the south by M-57, which provide east-west access.

Demographics

POPULATION

1994 - 39,785
1990 - 38,982
1980 - 40,448
1970 - 39,246

LABOR FORCEACCESS TO MARKETS/TRANSPORTATION
Total Labor Force (1996 annual average): 18,600 Main highways: U.S. 27, M-46, M-57
Total Employed: 17,375Bus lines: 1
Private Sector: 15,025 Truck lines: 11
Government Employed: 2,350Rail lines: Mid-Michigan Railroad; Tuscola & Saginaw Bay
Unemployed: 1,225Airports: Gratiot Community Airport
Unemployment Rate: 6.6(charter & freight runways;
Unemployment Rate: east-west; 3200' N-S)
1980: 13.4 1985: 11.0 MBS (30 miles away) Capitol
1990: 8.2 1994: 7.2 City, Lansing (45 miles)
1995: 7.0LAND USE
Workers 16 and older (1990)*:15,978 Total acres: 365,081
Percentage who work outside the county: 26.7Cropland: 68.4%
Percentage who work at home: 4.3 Forest: 7.5%
Educational Attainments (1990)* Persons 25 years of age or older:Pasture: 1.4%
Persons 25 years of age or older: Surface Water: 0.2%
Percentage with high school diploma: 77.1 Other 14.9%
Percentage with Bachelor's Degree: 10.9 Commercial, Industrial,
*Source: US Bureau of the CensusResidential, and Roads

PRINCIPAL EMPLOYERS

SIC #FIRMLOCATIONEMPLOYEESPRODUCT/SERVICE
5072Alma Bolt & SupplyAlma19industrial fasteners
8221Alma CollegeAlma245education
2653Alma Container Corp.Alma21fabricating corrugated containers
3341Alma Iron & MetalAlma32recovery and recycling of metals and other materials
3714Alma ProductsAlma790mfg/remfg of automotive engine & other components
5531Alma TireAlma35wholesale retail and retreading of tires
3732 American Boat Mfg.Alma10luxury fiberglass pontoon boats
3544Brink's Machine Co., Inc.Alma22dies, tools, jigs, and fixtures
4939Consumers Energy Co.Alma97electricity and gas
3365ContechAlma185die cast, aluminum / automotive parts
3541GTEAlma185telephone service
8062Garr Tool CompanyAlma118machine tools / carbide cutting tools
4813Gratiot Community HospitalAlma670medical care
3081Highland PlasticsAlma22plastic sheeting
5172Liquid Transport, Inc.Alma86transportation of petroleum products
7389LiquipakAlma24mfg of flexible pouch packaging & contract packaging
3465Lobdell-EmeryAlma352automotive stamping
5063Medler ElectricAlma37wholesale electric
8361Michigan Masonic HomeAlma412retirement community
8331Mid-Michigan IndustriesAlma28rehabilitation/sheltered workshop for disabled
3732Playbouy PontoonAlma83recreational pontoon boats
3599Production Machining of AlmaAlma46 machining of steel castings & other auto parts
2951Terry Materials of MichiganAlma11various grades of asphalts for road paving and repair
2911Total Petroleum, Inc.Alma356refining of petroleum products
4731Traffic Management ServicesAlma31shipping, routing, and logistics
3089United TechnologiesAlma230plastic products injection molded
2041B&W CooperativeBreckenridge117bean & grain elevator; farm supplies
0723Central Michigan PackingBreckenridge26 vegetable packing
0723Kenny, Inc.Breckenridge100sorting, grading,hydro-cooling, and packing for pickling
3341ADW IndustriesIthaca19custom machining & material handling systems
3728Aircraft Precision Prodcuts Co.Ithaca63parts & components for large reciprocating & jet aircraft engines
3444 C&S SteelIthaca10steel sales & fabrication
2499Craig FramesIthaca26 manufacturer of picture frames, primariy wood
3544 Danly Die SetIthaca100 presses, machine tools, die sets, die makers' supplies
3599Davis Machine & Mfg. Ithaca17custom machining and fabricating
3554Dufrene Machinery, Inc.Ithaca25remanufacturer of corragated container mfg. equipment
0723G-D McDonald & SonIthaca9pickle, sorting, grading, processing
2711Gratiot County HeraldIthaca12newspapers and printing
3479 Ithaca Coatings, LLCIthaca38autophoretic coating
3799Ithaca ManufacturingIthaca7custom manufacured steel products
2752Mid-State PrintingIthaca18web offset printing
3089Precision Plastics & Die Co.Ithaca67 compression & injection molded plastic parts
3089Alpha Plastics, Inc.St. Louis46plastic profile extruded parts
2439Bear Truss & ComponentsSt. Louis170engineered roof and floor trusses
3556Crippen Manufacturing Co.St. Louis51 grain cleaning, sorting equipment and transfer equipment
3089JER-DEN Plastics, Inc.St. Louis15rotational molding
3732Mellinger Boat CompanySt. Louis16manufacturer of pontoon boats & swim rafts
2869Michigan Chloride SalesSt. Louis27distribute chloride products
0751Michigan Livestock ExchangeSt. Louis7livestock sales
5999Mid-West Building DistributorsSt. Louis4 window units, paneling & siding
3544Momentum Industries St. Louis26 manufactuing of tools and other products
3479Plasti-Paint, Inc. St. Louis7painting of plastic parts, class A automotive and other
3559Powell's Fabrication & Mfg.St. Louis27bleach & chlorine machines
8361Schnepp's Health Care CenterSt. Louis142 nursing home
3089 Wheeler Plastics Wheeler5custom vacuum & pressure former

Staff at Greater Gratiot Development annually collects this data. Employees represents the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees (FTE = FT + �PT) at the firm as of June 1997. *Indicates FTE not available - figure represents number of workers.

BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

Financial Institutions
InstitutionHome OfficeOffices in
Gratiot County
Total
Assets
Bank of AlmaAlma8$352,942,825
Chemical Bank & TrustMidland2$1,643,880,000
Commercial BankIthaca7$151,074,573
Farmer's State BankBreckenridge2$88,513,000
Gratiot Community Credit UnionAlma1$10,580,584
Gratiot County Federal Credit UnionAlma1$5,032,609
Standard Federal BankTroy1$13,275,608,000
total assets as of 12/31/95
COMMERCIAL SERVICES
Type of Service Number of
Establishments
Type of Service Number of
Establishments
General building contractors17Computer & data processing0
Metalworking machinery3Legal services13
Commercial printing6 Accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping8
Advertising1Retail establishments233
Personnel supply services2Wholesale establishments51

Source: County Business Patterns 1993

INDUSTRIAL SITES
Industrial Park Total Acres Acres Available
Alma Certified Industrial Park63.2521.60
Ithaca Certified Industrial Park 62.29 25.00
St. Louis Certified Industrial Park 81.48 37.30
Gratiot County Industrial Park*150.00144.00

*see full description of Renaissance Zones on page 5

CONSTRUCTION PERMITSResidentialIndustrialOfficeMercantile
Units $ ValueUnits$ ValueUnits$ ValueUnits$ Value
1994 12911.1 10 1.87 30.47 0.32

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census;Dollar values are in millions.

NEW INCORPORATIONS

Incorporations in 1994:9 Incorporation Rate: 139

State Median: 68 State Median: 200

Incorporation Rate = Incorporations per 100,000 population.

Source: Michigan Department of Commerce

Economic Profile

PER CAPITA INCOME

1990 = $14,095 Median Family Income

1993 = $15,939 1990 = $30,120

Source: Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Dept. of Commerce

$7.00
EARNINGS LEVELS / LABOR RATES
Average Hourly Rate
Classification MinimumMaximum
Assembler - light$5.00 $12.00
Electrical engineer$12.00
Mechanical engineer$7.00 $35.00
Other engineers$25.00 $33.16
Forklift operator $6.00 $13.50
General laborer $5.25 $6.76
Inspector$5.25 $20.00
Machine operator$4.50 $15.25
Maintenance, mechanic$5.25 $19.66
Maintenance, building$5.00 $18.29
Receptionist$4.25 $15.06
Systems analyst$11.54 $18.75
Tool & die maker$8.00 $17.00
Welder$5.50 $19.66

Source: Greater Gratiot Development, Inc., 1995 Industrial Wage & Benefits Survey

1990 1993 995
Total Employment17,100 17,801 17,650
Total Income ($000) 550,330 633,502N/A
Employment Earnings ($000)
Components By Type 1990 1993 1990 1993
Wage & salary13,482 14,071 250,061 302,262
Proprietors 3,618 3,730 42,860 48,447
Farm 1,154 1,110 14,931 14,475
Non-farm2,464 2,620 28,929 33,972
Components By Industry 1990 1993 1990 1993
Farm 1,494 1,397 20,53120,527
Non-farm 15,606 16,404 302,448 371,058
Private13,368 14,153 252,478 312,091
Agr./forestry/fishing 196 203 1,843 2,602
Mining47 46 586 742
Construction 667 685 13,633 16,112
Manufacturing 2,519 2,799 80,363 101,897
Non-durable goods22,787 30,309
Durable goods57,576 71,588
Transportation / utilities866 859 23,896 36,796
Wholesale trade 667 718 15,527 19,384
Retail trade 3,036 2,878 37,032 35,856
Fin./insurance/real estate696 676 8,003 9,573
Services4,674 5,289 71,595 99,129
Public 2,238 2,251 49,970 58,967
Federal130 118 3,528 3,869
Military/civilian126 114 812 820
State & local1,982 2,019 45,630 54,278
NA indicates confidential information or fewer than 10 employees or less than $50,000.

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

Greater Gratiot Development

Greater Gratiot Development, Inc. (GGDI) was organized in 1978 in order to coordinate economic development efforts in Gratiot County. GGDI acts as a county wide clearinghouse for information and assistance in locating and expanding businesses in Gratiot County. GGDI also acts as a facilitator for business and industry in securing assistance for projects from State, Federal and other sources. Resources available to new business and industry in Gratiot County are also available to existing business and industry in the county.

GGDI provides financial packaging assistance for almost all business and industry purposes. Projects frequently include assistance in these categories: new business start ups; spin off ventures from existing firms; new product development; expansions; locations; credit lines or credit enhancement; and, general consultation. Listed below are some of the more frequently used programs which directly or indirectly effect financing decisions: EDC, tax exempt industrial revenue bond financing; Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans; other SBA loans, including the low doc loan program; revolving loan fund; and employee training.

Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce

In early 1995, the Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce was born as a result of the merging 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 promoting a more efficient use of the county�s assets. The Chamber may be reached at (517) 463-5525.

Gratiot Technical Education Center (GTEC)

In April of 1997, Gratiot residents and the Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District implemented a program to promote, facilitate, broker and provide learning, employment, training and service opportunities to Gratiot area business, industry, and residents, called the Gratiot Technical Education Center (GTEC). GTEC, located in Alma, 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 fully utilize the space and talent now available. In addition, it creates new space and delivers educational services that are needed but had not been available in the community earlier. An Interactive TV lab is available to provide two-way, long distance training. A computer laboratory provides multi-media computer training on state-of-the-art equipment.

Michigan Jobs Commission

The Michigan Jobs Commission was created by Governor John Engler in 1993 to link job creation, job training programs, and business competitiveness issues. The Jobs Commission works with businesses to retain and create jobs and also prepare Michigan's workforce for those jobs. Administering over $400 million in program funding, the Jobs Commission is striving to achieve its mission to improve Michigan's overall business climate. The Michigan Jobs Commission provides, at the state level, all economic development services. The services are categorized under three general areas: economic/business development services; workforce development; and, business competitiveness issues. All Jobs Commission services can be accessed through Greater Gratiot Development.

RENAISSANCE ZONES

In 1996, Michigan established the nation�s first incentive program that establishes TAX FREE areas called Renaissance Zones. Renaissance Zones, created to generate economic growth in economically distressed areas of the state, have been designated in eleven communities, one being Gratiot and Montcalm Counties. State taxes waived for businesses and residents within a Renaissance Zone include: single business tax (SBT), personal income tax, and the 6-mill state education tax. Local taxes waived include: real and personal property tax on operating mills, local income tax, and the utility users tax. The duration of the tax free status is 12 years, begun in 1997. Taxes will be gradually phased in over years thirteen through fifteen of the program. In year thirteen, taxes will be 25%, year fourteen - 50%, year fifteen - 75%, and year sixteen and beyond - 100%.

There are a total of 6 sub-zones within the Gratiot/Montcalm RZ. Gratiot County contains three full zones, and Montcalm County, directly west of Gratiot County, contains two full zones. The two counties share a sub-zone in the southern region of each county. Total zone acreage in the two counties is 1,870 acres. The three sub-zones in Gratiot County are located in Bethany Township, Emerson/North Star Township, and the City of Ithaca. All three sub-zones are zoned light industrial and are planned State of Michigan Certified Industrial Parks. All are within two miles of U.S. 27, with the Emerson/North Star zone is adjacent to U.S. 27. The Bethany and Emerson/North Star sub-zones also have rail access, with rail access less than a mile away in the Ithaca sub-zone. 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 has rail access.

Quality Of Life

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

Public School District Students Instructional
Staff
Number of
Facilities
Expenditures
Per Pupil
Alma Public Schools3107 187 6 $5,714.18
Ashley Community Schools424 24 2 $5,152.60
Breckenridge Community Schools1258 73 3 $5,295.93
Fulton Schools 850 47 2 $5,825.10
Ithaca Public Schools1834 116 3 $5,319.51
St. Louis Public Schools1451 88 4 $5,821.78
Non-Public Schools
Countryside Christian - Fulton97 Not available1 Not available
St. Mary's - Alma172 Not available1 Not available
Seventh Day Adventist - Ithaca26 Not available1 Not available

Source: Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District

College and University Information

Alma College - Alma Enrollment - 1350

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Type of Facility# In County# of Beds
Hospital1142
Extended Care Facilities6613

Number of MD's and DO's: 46

Nearest Large Medical Center: Lansing (45 miles); Saginaw (45 miles)

HOUSING

Owner occupied: 10,407 Rent occupied: 3,252

Median home value:$38,800 Median contract rent: $333

Recreational and Cultural Opportunities

Outdoor recreational pursuits are plentiful. Gratiot County offers six challenging golf courses, with the newest open in the Summer of 1996 and another slated for construction in 1998. Dozens of other top quality courses are located within a one hour drive. Other recreational opportunities include cross-country skiing, public parks, pools, tennis, hunting, fishing, hiking, and more. Michigan's great northern woods, within a two-hour drive, offers the unlimited outdoor excitement of state and national parks and forests, off road vehicle trails, downhill skiing, and snowmobiling. The beaches of Lakes Huron and Michigan are within two hours, hundreds of Michigan lakes are within easy traveling distances, and Detroit's numerous museums, shopping malls, and professional sports teams are all within a three-hour drive.

Cultural activities are plentiful within Gratiot County and the surrounding area. The Gratiot County Players offer a high quality amateur theater, both for participants and patrons. Alma College sponsors a wide range of cultural events, dance performances, nationally known speakers, and other events. Alma College opened its new Heritage Center for Performing Arts in October 1993. This facility attracts shows from around the world, providing Gratiot County with numerous cultural options. The works of accomplished painters, sculptors, and other fine artists are featured at regular exhibits in the Alma College art gallery. The Midland Center for the Performing Arts, Central Michigan University, and Michigan State University, all of which sponsor a very broad range of cultural activities, are each within a one hour drive.

COMMUNITY AND AREA ACTIVITIES

Roller SkatingSt. Louis Roll-Arena / IthacaTown and Country / Ithaca
Bowling 300 Bowl / Alma Town & Country Recreation / Ithaca
Pools Alma College / AlmaAlma High School / AlmaIthaca High School / Ithaca
Golf Edgewood Hills Golf Club / St. LouisGratiot Country Club / IthacaNorth Star Golf Course / North Star
Overbrook Golf Course / MiddletonW.T. Morris Community Pool / St. LouisPine River Country Club / AlmaThe Ridge / Breckenridge
Spectator SportsAlma College (Division II)Central Michigan University (Division I)Michigan State University (Division I)
Target ShootingA.P. Goodrich Rifle Range / IthacaBroken Lock Trading Company / Alma
Movie TheatersAlma Cinemas (4 screens) / AlmaThe Strand (1 screen) / Alma
LeaguesCommunity wide basketball, softball, golf, pool, and bowling leagues
Live Theater & ArtsHeritage Center - Alma College / AlmaGratiot County Playhouse / AlmaHeritage Center - Alma College / Alma
Water RecreationInland lakes: Rainbow Lake, Half Moon LakePine and Maple Rivers
Boating Resources 241 stream miles, 3 public access sites
Game AreasMaple River State Game AreaGratiot-Saginaw State Game Area
OtherSoaring Eagle Casino Resort/Mt. Pleasant
Fairs / Festivals
May: Highland Festival / AlmaOld Car Dust Off / IthacaJune: Gratiot County Ag Expo / IthacaFour Days of Harness Racing/Ithaca
July: Gratiot County Fair for Youth / AlmaRural Urban Day / St. LouisSummer Fun Days / St. LouisIthaca Fair / Ithaca
Aug: Harvest Festival / Bannister McCormick Day / IthacaSept: Fall Fun Days / BreckenridgeFallfest Car Show / Alma

Newspaper, Radio, and Media

Gratiot County is served by one daily and one weekly newspaper; the Morning Sun is published daily except Saturday and the Gratiot County Herald is published every Thursday. The Reminder and Shopper advertisers are published every Monday. WFYC AM & FM, WMLM AM, and WQAC FM all broadcast from Gratiot County. National Public Radio (NPR) broadcasts out of Mt. Pleasant from Central Michigan University and can be heard throughout Gratiot County. All municipal areas of the County are serviced by cable television.

Gratiot County on the World Wide Web

Gratiot County can be found on the World Wide Web at the Gratiot County home page. The address is http://www.gratiot.com. This site provides detailed information on Gratiot County and the cities and villages in the county. Also contained on the web page is links to area maps, an index of area businesses, a convention and visitors bureau, and information on local schools. The City of Alma has a home page that can be accessed directly from the Gratiot County home page. This site provides an in depth profile and directory for Alma. The Gratiot County home page maintains a convenient and easy way for everyone to learn more about what it is that makes Gratiot County a unique and great place to locate.

Municipal Services

UTILITIES
CommunityElectricGas
St. LouisMunicipal electric utilityConsumers Energy
Parts of North Shade, Fulton, Washington, & ElbaConsumers or Tri-CountyMich Con
Elba, Fulton, Hamilton, New Haven, North Shade,Seville, Sumner, & WashingtonTri-CountyTri-County
All other townshipsConsumers EnergyConsumers Energy

Source: Michigan Public Service Commission and Service maps from utilities.

WATERGallonsPressure
CommunitySource CapacityUse Lbs./sq. inch
AlmaRiver / Well603645-65
BreckenridgeWells4250-55
IthacaWells20368-80
St. LouisWells16652-62

Capacity and maximum use in hundreds of thousands of gallons per day.

Source: Michigan Health Department, LDO's, and regional planning offices.

SEWERGallons
Community TypeCapacityLoad
AlmaAct. Sludge25.0022.30
BreckenridgeLagoons8.641.25
IthacaLagoons12.963.00
St. LouisSecondary Class C29.0010.00
Capacity and present load in hundreds of thousands of gallons per day.

Source: Michigan Health Department, LDO's, and regional planning offices.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Local Phone Companies: GTE

Digital Switching: Yes

Fiber Optic: Yes

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CommunityPhone NumberCommunityPhone Number
Alma(517) 463-8336Ithaca(517) 875-3200

Breckenridge

(517) 842-3109

St. Louis

(517) 681-2137

Gratiot County (Clerk) (517) 875-5215

COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTACT

Greater Gratiot Development, Inc Contact:Donald C. Schurr

136 South Main Street Phone:(517) 875-2083

Ithaca, MI 48847-1440 Fax #:(517) 875-2990

E-mail: [email protected]

For additional information or updates, please contact Greater Gratiot Development at the above number.

This profile is effective as of July 1997