BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Feb. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) announced today its $150,000 investment in Battle Creek Unlimited’s (BCU) Talent Retention, Attraction and Inclusion Incentive (TRAIN), a program that will help Battle Creek employers encourage new or existing employees to move to Battle Creek.

BCU’s initiative provides a path to homeownership, providing up to $12,000 per eligible employee toward down payments on a home, rent and moving expenses. Kellogg’s investment in the program includes $50,000 to help seed BCU’s matching fund, as well as up to $100,000 in 2021 for Kellogg-specific incentive matches.

“Kellogg is committed to the Battle Creek community,” said Steve Cahillane, Kellogg Chairman and CEO. “W.K. Kellogg founded our company here more than a century ago and although we are a global business with operations around the world, the global headquarters of our organization remains here in our hometown, with a significant amount of employees and assets. That isn’t changing.”

TRAIN is a partnership between BCU and participating Battle Creek employers, like Kellogg, which matches incentive contributions to those who are willing to move to Battle Creek for their job. A special award tier also exists for entrepreneurs, freelance workers and existing employees. The program will commit at least 40 percent of awards to underrepresented demographics, including women, persons of color and the LGBTQ+ community.

“BCU’s program squarely aligns with Kellogg’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion priorities, and it is an innovative way to help us attract new talent to Battle Creek, boosting our ongoing recruitment and retention efforts,” said Cahillane.

Applicants may qualify for awards by moving to and renting or purchasing a home within the corporate limits of the City of Battle Creek.

“We are excited that Kellogg – a premier Battle Creek employer – has chosen to participate in the TRAIN program,” said Joe Sobieralski, BCU President and CEO. “Their significant financial contribution will not only advance their own talent recruitment and retention efforts, but they truly have the best interests of the community at heart, contributing also to the overall program that will benefit other local employers and the broader community.”

More information about how to apply can be found on the Battle Creek Unlimited website.

Breakout: Kellogg’s Commitment to Battle Creek
In recent years, Kellogg’s commitment to Battle Creek includes:

• Investing more than $60 million to expand the W.K. Kellogg Institute for Research and Development (2009), including our new Kellogg Center for Innovation (2019 and 2021)
• Partnering with and pledging a $500,000 investment in the Southwest Michigan Accelerator Kitchen
• Nearly $30 million invested in the past five years on improvements to Kellogg’s downtown BC headquarters
• Investing $500,000 in the Battle Creek Small Business Loan Fund, fostering entrepreneurial spirit in our hometown
• Donating $7 million to renovate and relocate the Battle Creek Area Mathematics and Science Center to downtown
• Pledging more than $34 million to United Way of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo since 2009; the largest corporate donor
• Contributing hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to the Food Bank of South Central Michigan, volunteering thousands of hours at local organizations and on local Boards, and sponsoring community events such as Cereal Festival, Field of Flight and the Festival of Lights, among others.

About Kellogg Company
At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), our vision is a good and just world where people are not just fed but fulfilled. We are creating better days and a place at the table for everyone through our trusted food brands. Our beloved brands include Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Special K®, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Eggo®, Mini-Wheats®, Kashi®, RXBAR®, MorningStar Farms® and more. Net sales in 2020 were approximately $13.8 billion, comprised principally of snacks and convenience foods like cereal, frozen foods, and noodles. As part of our Kellogg’s® Better Days purpose platform, we’re helping to end hunger and are committed to creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030. Visit www.KelloggCompany.com or www.OpenforBreakfast.com.

About Battle Creek Unlimited
Established in 1972, Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is a private, nonprofit corporation that serves as the economic development arm for the City of Battle Creek and manages the Fort Custer Industrial Park. The Fort Custer Industrial Park is home to over 80 businesses, including 25 international companies, and employs over 13,000 people. BCU’s mission is to build a strong community by driving strategic investment and job creation.