Businesses drive the economy, and two new companies are helping the city of Flint by setting up shop in the city.
There’s no escaping technology in this day and age. Andrew Hall, owner of Digital Medics, decided to open his third office in downtown Flint. He said the decision was easy because more people are choosing to live, work and go to school in the area.
“We felt there was a need for technology services down here – specifically residential and commercial drop-offs and things like that,” Hall said. “So we’re just excited to be a part of what’s happening here.”
The office, located at 400 S. Saginaw St., offers PC and MAC repairs and a variety of technology support and solutions services for people and businesses. Customers will also be able to purchase new and used computers. Hall said additional services will be added in the future.
“We’re bringing a fiber connection into this building,” Hall said. “We’ll be housing a data center upstairs and doing some wireless Internet service for the businesses in the area.”
Students at the University of Michigan-Flint said the new neighborhood offering is welcomed.
“People do need a place to go and get their computer fixed. They don’t want to send it to the manufacturer and wait a week or two,” said Greg Sandee, a business major.
“If it’s in walking distance, then definitely. I guess it would really just depend on how much they’re charging because that’s a big factor for us,” said nursing student Lauren Edmonds.
Digital Medics is currently open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A grand opening is set for Feb. 24.
A few miles away on S. Dort Highway and Mohawk Avenue, Biomet USA is constructing a plasma donation center. The 15,500 square foot facility will occupy space where abandoned buildings once stood. The company is owned by Grifols.
“We actually do like them (centers) to become that corner of redevelopment in the communities that we go into,” said Vlasta Hakes, director of public affairs at Grifols. “We like to be a part of the community. And, we like to be the shining star in the neighborhood – whether it’s building a center from the ground up or taking an existing building and retrofitting it to fit our needs.”
Hakes said the center will open in late June or early July and employ about 30 people. The jobs will mostly be full-time positions and filled by locals. Hakes said after a few years of being up-and-running, the center projects to have 2,000 plasma donors a week. The company said this project brings an $8 million investment to the area.
Talecris Plasma Resources on N. Jennings Road in Flint is also owned by Grifols. Hakes said the N. Jennings Road location will remain open.
Source: MEDC