Ford Motor Company donates $250,000 to Flat Rock community center

Flat Rock Mayor Beller announced that Ford Motor Company pledged $250,000 to the Flat Rock Community Center, a gift city leaders said will support senior and youth programming and ongoing center improvements.

The donation came after a series of meetings Mayor Beller said she, staff and council members held with Ford representatives, including a meeting facilitated by Stephanie Fry, whom the mayor described as Ford’s government relations person, and Candace Braddock, identified in the meeting as a Ford division representative. Rodney Wade, director of the community center, described meeting Braddock last September and outlined the center’s renewed focus on senior and youth programs.

The city had been spending substantial general-fund dollars to operate the center in prior years, Mayor Beller said; council members and staff credited Wade with reducing the center’s reliance on the city budget. Wade told the council he expected continued improvements and described higher attendance at recent events such as “pickleball Wednesday,” which Braddock reportedly observed during her site visit.

Council members and community volunteers praised the donation and discussed ways to recognize Ford’s support. Council members asked staff to create a visible acknowledgement at the community center — a plaque or a donation wall — and to send a formal letter of appreciation.

Community partners at the meeting also reiterated requests for other local businesses to contribute. Jeremiah North, president of the Flat Rock Rotary and co-chair of the city service organization (CSO), highlighted other recent corporate gifts, including US Steel’s contributions and local fundraising that raised more than $10,000 for scholarships.

The council did not take a formal vote on accepting the donation at the meeting; the announcement and subsequent discussion were recorded as part of mayoral remarks and department reports. Mayor Beller and several council members characterized the gift as continuing support rather than a one-time payment.

The mayor and staff asked Rodney Wade to publish a digital newsletter and to post community-center updates on the city website; Wade said a printed newsletter would be delayed because of printing costs but that a digital copy would be emailed to members.

The meeting also included public comments raising concerns that some people experiencing homelessness have been dropped off at the community center at night; council members said they are discussing the issue with county and rail partners to seek solutions.

Flat Rock officials declined to provide additional contract or gift-agreement details at the meeting. City staff and community organizers said they expect follow-up meetings with Ford and with local nonprofits to discuss distribution of funds and programs supported by the donation.