Adil Mohammed, ICGF program director (left), and Phyllis Sykes, ICGF executive director (right), lead a community panel discussion at the Ferris Wheel in downtown Flint on leveraging cultural diversity to support Flint’s economic growth. (Photo courtesy of The International Center of Greater Flint)

FLINT, Mich. — A new initiative is working to keep out-of-state college students in Michigan after they graduate.

The International Center of Greater Flint has received a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Growth Office to support Genesee Future Forward, a program designed to retain out-of-state college students in Michigan after graduation. 

The program targets graduates working in high-demand fields such as healthcare, education and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

Participants in the program will receive:

  • Housing or relocation assistance
  • A package of non-monetary benefits, including memberships to local professional organizations
  • Access to coworking spaces
  • Guest passes to cultural and recreational venues
  • Structured networking opportunities connecting them with local employers

This funding is provided through the Michigan Growth Office’s Make MI Home program, a first-in-the-nation initiative aimed at boosting Michigan’s population growth by attracting and retaining talent.

Genesee Future Forward is a collaborative effort among several key partners, including the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, University of Michigan-Flint, Mott Community College and Kettering University.