Bay City Mayor Shannon to Meet with Saginaw, Midland on Water Issues

Mayor Makes Connection with Dow President Andrew Liveris on Manufacturing

February 6, 2011
By: Dave Rogers

Mayor Chris Shannon (Pictured at Right) is reaching out to The Dow Chemical Company as well as mayors of Saginaw and Midland to help the city bounce back from a variety of woes.


Mr. Shannon announced at a recent finance and policy meeting that he has spoken with Dow President Andrew Liveris and received a copy of "Made in America" about how the nation has lost its love for manufacturing.

Mr. Liveris is sending five additional copies of the book to the city for the commission's library, a gesture that speaks volumes about the warm relationship with Dow that many hope will pay dividends for Bay City.

Rekindling that love affair is the aim of Liveris, and city economic development leaders who now are faced with replacing Bay Future Inc. executive Fred Hollister, who reportedly has resigned.

The public-private economic development agency is expected to focus more on revitalizing the job base of the community through manufacturing under Mr. Shannon's leadership.

Goal of working together will be the theme of the mayor's meeting with Saginaw Mayor Greg Branch and Midland Mayor Maureen Donker. No doubt the enthusiasm of Mr. Liveris for manufacturing will be discussed.

The commission will review requests for tax abatements for Kerkau Manufacturing, $1,469,764, and Michigan Brand, $558,074 for a new building at 1313 S. Farragut. The projects are expected to retain 25 jobs and create 5 new jobs at Kerkau.

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