Hay Bay City reports job-board growth, $55,000 remaining as organizers plan regional transition

Hay Bay City reported strong third-quarter engagement on Sept. 8 and said roughly $55,000 in city ARPA funds remain as organizers plan to transition the program to a regional model.

The presentation to the Bay City City Commission covered job-board and digital-marketing metrics, employer partnerships and upcoming events. A Hay Bay City representative said the program now lists 228 employers in its network, had about 28,000 job views this quarter and recorded 109 submitted applications after nearly 1,000 “apply” clicks. The Hay Bay City representative said the program’s website recorded about 29,000 page views and 9,200 users in the quarter, with job page views near 18,000.

Why it matters: the program is meant to connect local residents to Bay City employers and to build a talent pipeline. Commissioners pressed staff on whether the work can continue after the city-funded portion ends.

Hay Bay City staff told commissioners the program was originally supported with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and the goal has been to move operations to a regional entity. “We had shared early on that the goal for Hay Bay City was always to look to transition this to a regional approach so it is sustainable,” a Hay Bay City staff member said, describing ongoing coordination with the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and its “Operation 40K” talent-attraction initiative. Staff said the remaining city funds are expected to be used before the end of the year as the regional transition is completed.

Commissioner DeWitt asked, “For the 55,000 left, is there funding or revenue streams for continuation for this program at this point that is visible?” Hay Bay City staff answered that the Alliance’s regional effort is intended to sustain the work after local ARPA funds are exhausted and that they are working to ensure a seamless transition.

The presentation also covered employer outreach: staff said they have met with 61 employers, educators and workforce partners this quarter and have shared 12 direct job opportunities with job seekers. Staff highlighted a recent SVSU tabling event where they connected with 49 students and facilitated four employer connections.

On digital marketing, a Hay Bay City digital-marketing staff member, Annabelle, said the majority of site traffic is direct and organic search and that the program’s combined social followers and subscribers across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn total nearly 399,000. Commissioners asked about a traffic spike; staff attributed it to promotion tied to Major League Fishing events that spotlighted the Saginaw Bay.

Staff detailed upcoming and recent events: "Cardinals at Hell's Half Mile," a Sept. 26 collaboration with Saginaw Valley State University, Bay Metro Transit, Downtown Bay City and the Hell’s Half Mile festival to bring students downtown; and a “coffee and a cleanup” placemaking event on Oct. 3 at Pinkoning Park from 8 to 9 a.m.

Commissioners also asked about housing content on the Hay Bay City site; staff said the site’s live-listings feature links to properties for sale and rent provided by the Bay County Realtors Association and indicated Hay Bay City has some ability to profile properties. The city manager said the commission and city staff are receiving resumes from Hay Bay City that are being kept on file for city hiring needs.

Hay Bay City staff said they will continue working with the regional alliance to finalize the rebrand and transition while preserving site traffic and partnerships.

A follow-up presentation on the city survey and subcommittee work was scheduled for October.

Ending: The commission accepted the report and commissioners thanked the presenters for the update.