Project Will Provide Educational Opportunities and Revitalization in Downtown Flint, Michigan
Cinnaire recently provided $9 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) allocation to support the development of the Mott Community College Culinary Arts Facility. Chase, as the NMTC investor, joined Cinnaire in the financing of this project.
Uptown Reinvestment Corporation, a non-profit development organization, and Mott Community College (Mott CC) have partnered to renovate the former Woolworth Building in downtown Flint to create the Mott CC Culinary Arts Facility. The vacant and abandoned Woolworth Building will be extensively renovated to create two culinary arts teaching kitchens, two bakery teaching kitchens, a meat fabrication teaching laboratory, a fine dining space connected to a baked goods café, and a large dividable meeting space to teach all aspects of the food service industry to students attending Mott CC. The café and dining room will provide the Flint community with access to a first-class dining experience. The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation donated the Woolworth Building, as well as a $4 million grant, to support the development of the Culinary Arts Facility.
“The renovation of the iconic Woolworth Building will further Mott CC’s ability to provide educational opportunities, attract new students and create an economic impact in Flint,” said Mark McDaniel, Cinnaire president & CEO. “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. We share the C.S. Mott Foundation’s mission to strengthen and support communities. The Cinnaire team looks forward to working with the development team and project partners to make downtown Flint a healthy, vibrant community.”
The project is located in Flint’s Health and Wellness District, an area of Flint designated to focus on healthcare, positive eating habits and physical fitness. Mott CC has been at the forefront of promoting education and awareness based around healthy eating. The new facility will provide Mott CC with an expanded presence in downtown Flint, creating new opportunities to collaborate with Health and Wellness District partners such as the Flint Farmer’s Market, Michigan State University School of Public Health, and UM-Flint’s Health Science programs. The additional space will allow Mott CC to double its enrollment of students in the culinary arts program.
In addition to Cinnaire, Chase and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) provided a grant to support the Culinary Arts Facility.
