“Bay Area On The Grow” held in Bay City’s Uptown district Friday focused on  the importance of agriculture to Bay County and the surrounding region.

President and CEO Ryan Tarrant of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce says a major concern is the on-going tariff and trade battle involving the United  States and President Donald Trump plus China. Tarrant noted local farmers  are worried because trade barriers translate into lost income.

Tarrant  added Michigan Sugar is Bay County’s second largest employer with an economic impact of $500,000,000, making agriculture critical to the overall local economy.