Battle Creek Unlimited

Talks continue with Japanese companies and downtown plans move forward.

The City Commission’s agenda for their Tuesday meeting features a vote on the adoption of a resolution, that would allow craft distilleries and small-scale wineries in areas zoned for Street Level Retail.

BCU says in a release that they were granted $150,000 by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, with most of that money going towards attracting manufacturers of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, commonly called drones.

Dennis Group will invest $600K and hire more than 65 persons.

Battle Creek Unlimited's Joe Sobieralski hinted that it could be in the works on the WBCK Morning Show with Tim Collins.

BCU says in a release Tuesday that Restore (269) worked together with them on a plan to renovate the building at 15 Carlyle St, which faces the Battle Creek River. As a result of the plan, the building has now been awarded to Restore (269), and they plan on turning it into a mixed-use facility known as The Record Box.

Downtown Battle Creek may be losing two businesses very soon, but the head of Battle Creek Unlimited is still optimistic. BCU CEO Joe Sobieralski tells the 95.3 WBCK morning show that they have received “a couple of [submissions]” for opening a brewery in downtown Battle Creek.

According to the Commission’s Agenda for January 2, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. is looking to expand their facility in the Fort Custer Industrial Park in Battle Creek. The expansion would see the installation of a new bottling facility, and the creation of 16 new jobs.

Battle Creek Unlimited announced that they are seeking proposals for a brewery, brew pub or distillery to be located in the downtown area, preferably at one of the three properties BCU owns. The accepted business would receive up to $200,000 in financial assistance to get started.

When the owner of a company redeveloping downtown Battle Creek told police he had been robbed and shot at, authorities brought out their police dogs and investigators in order to track down their suspect. Now, authorities say the incident never happened.