Why We Love Greater Flint From A to Z

	Ally Challenge Pro golf is back in the area! Genesee County has some great golf courses and golfers, and the sport will always be top notch here; but it just didn’t feel the same after the Buick Open left. The ball never seemed to fly as far as it used to. The putts always stopped short. Those days are gone … FORE!
	Buckham Gallery This Downtown mainstay has delighted art enthusiasts since 1984. It continues to produce exciting exhibitions, open mic events and inspiration.
	Culture The Cultural Center is one of Genesee County’s glowing attractions. The Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Institute of Music, Sloan Museum, The Rep and The Whiting continue to educate and entertain.
	Dort Financial Event Center The former I.M.A. is the county’s premier sports and trade event venue. Since the late 60s, the arena has hosted championship hockey, soccer, basketball, boxing, concerts, car shows, the circus and trade shows from Home & Garden to Guns & Knives. The arena also hosts multiple annual charity events.
	Environment The work has begun. Organizations are cleaning up Greater Flint’s rivers, lakes and land. Blight removal has ramped up – citizens are planting sustainable urban gardens and taking care of nature. Brownfields such as Chevy Commons are being re-worked to create parks and greenspaces.
	Farmers’ Markets Those working gardens and farms need places to sell their produce. The Flint, Grand Blanc, Fenton and Davison Markets are wonderful sources of fresh foods and commerce.
	Growth Greater Flint is growing. Downtown Flint is adding new housing and business districts. Davison and Fenton are big economic investment areas. Opportunity is everywhere for someone with a fresh idea and passion. New industries are on their way!
	History Genesee County changed the world. General Motors was born here, creating over 100,000 jobs since 1908. Greater Flint played a large role in the creation of the middle class during the labor movement. Our inventors and engineers changed countless industries. Citizens had a hand in winning both world wars and achieving equal housing rights for all. Even our tragedy taught the nation about job diversification and water rights.
	Innovation Since the late 1800s when carriages were being perfected, Genesee County has been a center of innovation. Greater Flint looks for a better way not just mechanically, but spiritually, as well. We are working to become more inclusive and accepting of other cultures and ethnicities. Greater Flint needs to continue to work together to be the model for other communities across the country.
	Java Need a cuppa? Greater Flint is filled with unique cafes that will fill your caffeine quota. Café Rhema, Foster Coffee Co., Chill Coffee Café, Fireside Coffee Co., and The Good Beans Café provide the perfect morning and evening ambience to experience your best day.
	Knowledge Our educational institutions are setting the bar high for quality and affordability. Kettering University, UM-Flint, Michigan State and Mott Community College produce highly sought after and intelligent graduates that will shape the world.
	Lakes Michigan is The Great Lakes State and we have some great ones of our own. Lake Fenton, Lobdell, Ponemah, Silver and Byram Lakes shine in the south of the county. Lake Copneconic, Mott Lake and small Buell Lake on the north end offer fine fishing and leisure activities.
	Music Whether it’s Bollywood at the Flint Institute of Music, a classical concert at The Whiting, or punk at Flint Local 432, there’s something for everyone. Greater Flint is home to the state’s oldest Scottish Pipe Band, a renowned Kuungana Drum Troupe, a symphony orchestra with a world-class conductor and 50-piece wind ensemble, the all-ages Fenton Orchestra, up-and-coming hip hop artists, folk singers, rock bands and more. Flint brags the best all-ages entertainment venue in Flint Local 432, as well as the best rock venue north of Detroit in The Machine Shop – and we can’t forget the Golden Leaf Club – a historic jazz venue.
	Non-profits Where would the area be without our non-profits that are always willing to help? The C.S. Mott and Ruth Mott Foundations are a giant part of Flint’s renaissance and sustainability. All of the organizations such as the Community Foundation, Sylvester Broome, Whaley Children’s Center, Voices for Children and many, many more work tirelessly to help the peoples of Genesee County enjoy rich and fulfilling lives. Genesee cares.
	Open Air Events In the summer, Greater Flint is filled with festivals that locals and visitors love. Back to the Bricks gets bigger each year, Flint Drop Fest is one of the best electronic festivals around and Alley Fest is always a great time and local music showcase. Juneteenth, Bikes on the Bricks, Flint Hispanic Festival, the Mid-East Festival, Fiesta Mexicana, Pumpkin Fest, Heritage & Harmony, Blueberry Fest, Flint Pride Fest and others certainly keep the party going!
	Parks Love to hike and bike? Genesee County holds trails galore! Wonderful work has been done making our rivers safe for canoes and kayaks. For-Mar is a wonder and there is ample park space for family get-togethers and outings in all of our cities and towns. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Greater Flint provides every opportunity to get back to nature.
	Quench Need a drink? Find watering holes aplenty in Greater Flint. Locals can choose from four breweries (Fenton Winery & Brewery, Redline, Redwood Steakhouse and Tenacity), draft houses such as Skip’s Come Back Inn and the Red Baron, Irish pubs and good old-fashioned bars.
	Races Greater Flint is a place for running. The Flint Superhero Run, Santa Run, Bastille Day Race, Turkey Trot, Kayla O’Mara Memorial Race and many others happen yearly. Runners can enter a race every week in the summer, if they are up to it. Don’t forget Michigan’s biggest, can’t-miss race – The Crim!
	Small Business Shopping Local goods are the best goods. Goodboy Clothing, Brush Alley Skate Shop, Everything Flint, The Mad Hatter, SHIFT Boutique, Sutorial, local antique shops, art galleries and Flint Handmade are just some of the many shopping destinations for one of a kind, local products. Can you survive just shopping local? You can in Genesee County!
	Theatre Out-county folks don’t know what they are missin’! The Whiting, The Capitol, The Flint Repertory, The New McCree and the UM-Flint Theatre are all venues for quality shows and entertainment. Local acting talent is showcased in the Flint Community Players, Fenton Village Players and Clio Cast & Crew. Check out a show!
	US-23 Drive-in The last of its kind in mid-Michigan, the US-23 Drive-in (Fenton Road, Flint) is a classic! The closest one still operating is in Dearborn. Where else can you catch two movies for super-cheap and relax in the relative solitude and quiet of your own vehicle? How did these places go out of style?
	Volunteerism Again, Genesee County cares. There’s no shortage of good people who volunteer to help their neighbors and communities. Greater Flint never sits idly by and if you should need help, there is an organization out there to point you in the right direction.
	Wacky Things to Do Movies too boring? There’s the American Fun Center, Addictive Motorsports R/C Car Raceway, escape games, Skateland and Rollhaven skating rinks, epic indoor trampoline zones, disc golf or mini-golf at Uncle Ray’s Dairyland and Tropical Falls.
	Xtreme Fun Things can get wild here! Go out to Auto City Speedway in Clio for high-octane racing, drifting and destruction. If you get the racing fever, jump into a cart at Extreme Indoor Kart Racing and tear up the track. Strap on some skis and join the Silver Lake Ski Club, put on pads and a helmet and race the BMX Track at Richfield Park or fill up the tank and take to The Mounds.
	Yum! Greater Flint is the place to be for foodies. Enjoy a great burger, tasty seafood, mouthwatering pizza and pasta, a sizzling steak or handcrafted tacos. If you like your food a little faster, Halo Burger and Big John’s are Genesee-only faves. Don’t forget the best little hot dog company in the land: Koegel Meats. (Seriously, can you even eat another brand?)
	Zen Greater Flint has been swept up in the new mindfulness craze and people are better for it – learning to slow down and appreciate the moment. Yoga studios have joined in. Clear minds and open hearts … just breathe and realize the place where you live is a pretty great place to be.