What Seed Is
The Imlay City Small Business Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Group, or SEED, is a team of volunteers that represent a variety of businesses, local government officials, and organizations in Imlay City. SEED is dedicated to bringing entrepreneurs into Imlay City while strengthening the businesses already established in he region and assisting them in any way possible.
For a better understanding of the SEED Group and the benefits of locating in Imlay City, please watch our video by clicking on the play button below.
What Seed Does
We encourage entrepreneurship, assist existing businesses, and create new jobs. Our goal is to foster the environment in our city that makes it a great place to live, play, and do business. We host networking events, like the Entrepreneur Meet Up and Manufactures' Luncheon, that encourage entrepreneurs to share ideas and resources. We promote Imlay City throughout the state of Michigan as a great place to live and do business.
We quickly answer questions regarding grants, ordinances, demographics, financing and other topics important to entrepreneurs. We work with organizations throughout the area, like the Downtown Development Authority, City of Imlay City, Chamber of Commerce, Lapeer Development Corporation and the Next Michigan Development Corporation, to assist businesses at any stage of their development.
How Seed Helps
When a business considers Imlay City we make sure we pull out all the stops.
We listen to business needs and do whatever we can to provide support.
Seed Can Assist You With
- Identifying business opportunities
- Providing tools to gauge future business
success - Connecting you to future clients and
business resources - Creating business partnerships
- Addressing current business needs
- Finding the necessary resources, including available incentives and programs,
to establish, maintain or grow your
business - Connecting you to local government officials and departments
- Utilizing tax incentives
- Streamlining project costs
- Providing long-term local support
- Understanding planning and
zoning rules
Seed Accomplishments
- Quarterfinalist for the Frontier Communication's "America's Best Communities" contest. Winner of $50,000 grant.
- Received the eCities "Best Practice Award" 2013
- Has been recognized as a four and five star community by eCities 2012-13
- Represented region 5 in the Michigan Municipal League's "Race for the Cup" 2013
- Community Economic Assessment completed
- Core team expanded
- Programs created to offer training and networking opportunities, Entrepreneur Meet Up, Manufacture Luncheon, Quick Books Class
- Created branding and marketing tools for Imlay City
- Assisted companies like Vintech Industries and Vlasic with expansion projects
- Assisted new businesses like StudioE Photography, in locating within Imlay City
Why Imlay City
Strategic Location
Imlay City boasts a small-town atmosphere that is connected to big-
time population centers. Our quaint downtown includes beautifully manicured landscaping with bench-lined sidewalks and exceptional shopping—a welcome retreat from busy city life.
Found on the I-69 corridor less than an hour away from Detroit, Flint,
Port Huron, and Canada, Imlay City is easily accessible by road,
water, air, and rail, making it a strategic hub for many businesses and manufacturers.
Project Incentives
Imlay City has multiple incentives to give your project an extra boost. Contact us for more detailed information and to see if you qualify.
- PA 198 Industrial Property Tax Abatements
- Façade Grants and Façade Loans
- Lapeer Development Corporation Revolving Loan Fund
- Tax-free Renaissance Zones
- Redevelopment Liquor License
Available, Skilled Workforce
With a healthy rural lifestyle and strong community values, Imlay City residents are eager to work in businesses that support their hometown. The city has a young and diverse population—perfect for businesses hoping to find and retain hard-working employees.
2010 Census Information
(Unless Otherwise Stated)
City of Imlay City Population        3,597
County of Lapeer                  88,319
Number of Households              1,356
Average Household Size              2.64
Median Household Income       $24,287
(American Community Survey)
For a detailed listing of census information regarding Imlay City, please visit the Untied State Census 2010 page by clicking here.
For a detailed listing regarding economic and housing statistics in Imlay City please visit the United States' Census American FactFinder page by clicking here.
Events
Year-round events bring thousands of visitors to Imlay City and provides community members quality, family-friendly entertainment right outside their door.
Visitors and residents shop, eat, and sleep at local businesses!
Festivals
• The Eastern Michigan State Fair
• Woods N’ Waters Outdoor Weekend
Other Events
• Farmer’s Market
• Summer movie series
• Summer concert series
• Holiday events
• Art fairs
Organizations
We have a strong Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority, an understanding local government and many active service clubs.
Parks & Amenities
With beautiful parks and green spaces, a community pool, a
walkable downtown, a historical museum, an award-winning school district, the county fairgrounds and affordable housing,
Imlay City is a welcoming place for newcomers from a variety of backgrounds.
For more information regarding Imlay City Parks, please click here.
Available Properties
@ 150 Pop
The Imlay City DDA is excited to announce @ 150 Pop to be located at 150 Bancroft Street in downtown Imlay City.
The DDA has created an incubator at 150 Bancroft, a Downtown Development Authority owned building, and is offering entrepreneurs, artists or event organizers use of the space for limited time periods (up to 6 months) rent free. A pop-up is a temporary
use in an under-utilized space.
Pop-ups allow an entrepreneur to test their business in a location
for a month(s) instead of a year (or more) required by a lease. It creates the opportunity to make money, make adjustments, and prove to financiers and landlords that a business can succeed. Building owners within the District benefit from getting a prospective long-term tenant.
The building is about 950 square feet with two entrances.
For more information and an application, please visit our DDA website Doing Business page
Resource Library
Plans & Policies
Helpful Website Links
City of Imlay City
Zoning, Ordinances and Department Information
Imlay City Downtown Development Authority
Imlay City Area Chamber of Commerce
Get connected with area businesses.
Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library
A complete listing of business resources including 'How to Write a Business Plan' and 'Reference Databases'.
Lapeer Development Corporation
A community based, non-profit economic development organization dedicated to leading and coordinating economic development throughout Lapeer County.
ThumbWorks!
A detailed listing of job opportunities in Michigan's Thumb Region.
MI Small Business Development Center
SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.
Pure Michigan
Economic Gardening with Business Connect<
Pure Michigan Connect matches people with resources.
Veterans Business Outreach Centers
Information Regarding Exporting
Export Resources
Market Research
Larrelei Natke, Imlay City, DDA Director
150 North Main Street
810-724-2135
lnatke@imlaycity.org
Construction Code Lapeer Office Hours
Phone: 810-667-0420
1075 Suncrest Drive, Ste A
Lapeer, MI 48446
Hours: Mon, Wed &Thur    7:00am-4:00pm
Tues & Fri                 7:00am-11:30am
Tom Youatt - City Manager
City Manager
150 North Main Street
810-724-2135
tyouatt@imlaycity.org
Lonnie Hayes- Construction Code
City Office
150 North Main Street
810-724-2135
Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
For more information, please click here.
Gerry Edwards- Zoning Administrator
City Office
150 North Main Street
810-724-2135
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
For more information please click here.
Imlay City Area Chamber of Commerce
150 North Main
810-724-1361
executivedirector@imlaycitymich.com