2026 Local Loop Flint and Bay Region

The Freedom School and the Kuungana African Drum and Dancing program at the Flint Development Center provides culturally grounded educational and enrichment experiences for youth in the Flint community. Rooted in African traditions and the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools model, the program promotes literacy, leadership and social-emotional development through culturally responsive teaching, music and movement. It serves as a community hub where young people build confidence, cultural identity and a sense of belonging.

The UAW Sitdowners Monument Park is a historic site in Flint, Michigan, dedicated to commemorating the Flint Sit-Down Strike, a pivotal moment in American labor history. The park honors the workers who participated in the strike against General Motors, which led to the recognition of the United Auto Workers, or UAW, as a bargaining representative for auto workers.

The Gloria Coles Flint Public Library is the main public library for residents of Flint and a cultural institution in the city. It provides access to information resources, educational programming, technology services and community spaces that support literacy, lifelong learning, workforce development and civic engagement.

Founded in 1888, the Bavarian Inn is a family-owned hospitality and entertainment destination in Frankenmuth, known for its German-inspired dining, lodging and family experiences. The property draws tourists year-round to enjoy traditional Bavarian-themed meals, resort amenities and attractions that celebrate the area’s heritage and community spirit. Judy Zehnder Keller, daughter of founders Tiny and Dorothy Zehnder and founder of the Bavarian Inn Lodge, graduated from MSU in 1967 with a degree in hotel and restaurant management.

Zak & Mac’s Chocolate Haus is a family-owned shop in downtown Frankenmuth known for its handcrafted, small-batch chocolates and sweets made on-site since 1981. The shop offers everything from fudge and truffles to signature chocolate-covered toffee — plus a touch of Spartan pride, as co-owner Zak McClellan is a former Michigan State hockey national champion.

The Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center is an agricultural research and outreach facility operated by MSU that advances crop science and farmer education in Michigan’s Saginaw Valley and Thumb region. The center conducts field-based research on key rotational crops and provides programming, demonstrations and resources that support growers, industry partners and the broader agricultural community.

The Michigan Bean Commission is a grower-led commodity commission dedicated to supporting and advancing Michigan’s dry edible bean industry through research, promotion, market development and producer outreach. The organization works to strengthen the economic position of bean producers and expand opportunities for Michigan-grown beans in domestic and international markets.

Established in the early 2010s, the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and operating the USS Edson (DD-946), a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer and Vietnam War-era naval vessel. The museum’s mission is to honor U.S. Navy veterans, educate the public about naval history, and preserve the ship as a historical and educational resource for the Great Lakes region.

outreach program focused on protecting and sustaining Michigan’s Great Lakes and coastal communities. It is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sea Grant College Program and operates as a joint initiative of MSU and the University of Michigan.

Delta College is a public community college serving the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan. Located in the heart of Bay City, its planetarium offers a variety of shows for all ages in its Dome360 theater.

Wenonah Park is a waterfront park located in downtown Bay City along the Saginaw River. Michigan Sea Grant works to restore populations of native lake sturgeon — an ancient species once abundant in the Great Lakes — to local waterways, including the Saginaw River.

Michigan Sugar Company was founded in 1906 and is a farmer-owned cooperative that produces sugar from locally grown sugar beets. It is one of the largest beet sugar processors in the United States and plays a significant role in Michigan’s agricultural and food-processing economy. The company produces well-known retail brands such as Pioneer Sugar and Big Chief Sugar, along with bulk sugar for industrial and commercial use.

Located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is a public art museum dedicated to the life and work of American sculptor Marshall M. Fredericks, known for his large-scale public monuments and figurative sculptures. The museum preserves and exhibits Fredericks’ extensive body of work, including sculptures, models, drawings and archival materials.

The Capitol Theatre in downtown Flint is a beautifully restored 1928 movie palace that now serves as a premier performing arts venue. Known for its striking historic architecture and modern upgrades, it hosts concerts, comedy shows, films and community events, and is home to the Flint Symphony Orchestra.

The Flint Farmers’ Market is a community-based public market in downtown Flint that supports local farmers, food producers, entrepreneurs and small businesses while increasing access to fresh food and locally made goods. It operates as a year-round marketplace and community gathering space that strengthens regional food systems and local economic development. Flint Kids Cook and the Market Prescription Program are partnerships with MSU Extension.

The Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health is an academic department within the MSU College of Human Medicine’s Flint campus that focuses on public health education, research and community engagement. The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has partnered with Flint-based public health initiatives since 2011. It prepares students for careers in public health practice, health administration, policy and related fields while addressing health disparities and population health challenges in the region.