Editor’s note: Doing Biz In features continuously updated coverage of a full spectrum of top cities where readers conduct business. Publicist and travel writer Regina Lynch-Hudson has penned destination catalogs and articles for companies such as Vacation Express, AirTran Airways and North American Airlines.

City Smarts

Flint is the established heart of the American automobile industry, but its automotive tradition is only one characteristic of the great city. Located in the heart of Michigan, with easy access to all parts of the state, Flint grew from a river crossing on the old Detroit-Saginaw Trail to one of the largest manufacturing cities in the United States.

Many visitors may think automobile manufacturing is the reason for Flint’s nickname, the “Vehicle City.” Not so. That name was earned by the production of horse-drawn, road carts and carriages. By the late 1880s, Flint led the nation in carriage production, and that industry helped spawn the “horseless carriage” trade that followed 25 years later.

Although Flint is best known as the birthplace of General Motors, it is quickly becoming known for its educational, cultural, artistic, recreational, and shopping centers. Downtown Flint is reinventing itself with more than $450 million in development projects recently completed, under construction, or in the planning stages. These projects range from the restoration of historic buildings and development of mixed-use establishments to the development of new projects and expansion by local universities.

The total population of Flint is 112,524, with the breakdown being 42,604 Caucasian, 63,346 African American, 804 American Indian or Alaska Native, 335 Asian, 3,180 Hispanic or Latino, and 2,255 of other races.

With the redevelopment of Flint and the surrounding areas, the expansion of the universities and cultural institutions, quality hotels and restaurants, and a state-of-art airport with direct flights from 12 cities, Flint is recognized as a premier destination for conventions, tourism and special events.

Jetsetter

Linda Glasper El Rice serves as COO of Flint-based The Loving Hands Group (LHG). Her 29- plus years of experience in sales, service and adult care administration makes LHG a premier franchise model for home care, adult day care and home health care services. Mark Rice, Linda’s son, serves as CEO of the franchise group.

The vision for the Loving Hands network originated during the summer of 1998 when Linda was faced with caring for her own father who was afflicted with the early stages of Alzheimer’s. She needed a compassionate caregiver for her father while she attended school. After finding no satisfactory services for her father, Rice opened the adult day care facility, which was the first location for Loving Hands Adult Care Services in July 1999. A home care services component offering personal care assistance, light housekeeping, transportation, and assistance with meals and medication opened shortly afterwards, in December 1999. Within another year, the business grew to a $1 million operation with over 65 employees on the team.

Rice’s tenacity, networking and business smarts even earned Loving Hands the Best Small Business Award from the U. S. Small Business Administration in May 2002. By 2005, Loving Hands launched the medical skilled home health care services which provide registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers and home health care aides to patients released from hospitals while recuperating in the comfort of his or her home.  www.lovinghandsinc.com

When Rice isn’t jet-setting to exotic locales on vacation, she is in Atlanta manning Loving Hands Private Estates. Linda’s estate is available for event rentals and short and long term corporate and celebrity leases.  www.lovinghandsprivateestates.com

Getting Around

From Bishop International Airport, the best way to see Flint is to rent a car. For the best “Vehicle City” experience, rent a Hummer H3 for $80-$130 a day or a convertible Ford Mustang for $60-$80 a day from Avis Car Rentals at the airport. 800-331-1212, www.Avis.com

Survival Kit

When you plan to visit Flint, bring your love of cars and your appetite for Flint’s special hot dog. The Flint Coney Island consists of a Koegel’s Vienna sausage, mustard, onions, and the special recipe Coney sauce, all piled in the bun.

Catching ZZZ’s

Built for business travelers, the Wingate Inn of Grand Blanc is just minutes from Flint off I-475. Owned and managed by the Walli family, of the long-time Walli’s restaurants in Flint, this hotel prides itself on customer service. Start your day with a complimentary full breakfast buffet, no measly muffin or bagel to leave you hungry half way through your morning meetings.

There’s no need to stress over last minute preparations for those power presentations, the Wingate’s all -inclusive rate provides a 24-hour business center with fax, copier, PC, laser printer and free high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel, including all guest and meeting rooms. If you prefer to work in private, the comfortable rooms have an oversized work desk, cordless telephone and dual line speakerphone with voicemail, and a locking safe large enough to hold a laptop computer. 810-694-9900, 1359 Grand Pointe Court, www.wingateinns.com

The Power Lunch

Brick Street Bar & Grill is a great place to impress a client and close the deal. Enjoy the piano bar on Friday and Saturday or relax on the patio during nice weather. A nine-page menu offers something for every craving. 810-603-2114, 1223 Grand Blanc Rd., www.brickstreetbarandgrill.com

Cultural Chow

The Big Eazy Grill & Oyster Bar offers a taste of New Orleans and is the only restaurant in Michigan to use Oyster Pot Cooking. The extensive Cajun menu includes jambalaya, paella, and everyone’s favorite oyster shooters. 810-732-4600, G-5311 Corunna Rd., www.flintfood.com

Cyber Site

The Good Beans Café, in historic Carriage Town in downtown Flint, is where the locals meet for free Wi-Fi, a favorite coffee drink or a bowl of homemade soup. 810-237-4663, 328 N. Grand Traverse, www.thegoodbeanscafe.com

Networkin’

The African-American churches in the Flint area are still the center of networking in the community. Community and cultural events in the extraordinary Flint Cultural Center offer additional opportunities. 810-237-7330, 1178 Longway Blvd., www.fcccorp.org

To De-Stress

Relieve your stress at The Captain’s Club at Woodfield, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Harry Bowers and PGA Touring Professional Raymond Floyd. Take your best shot on this challenging course that offers the perfect mix of open, non-parallel fairways, large undulating greens, water and wetlands. 810-695-4653, 10200 Woodfield Dr., www.captainsclubatwoodfield.com

Footloose and Fancy-free

The Flint Cultural Center is the gem of the area. Stroll through seven cultural institutions on 33 sprawling acres in the center of the city. www.flintcultural.org

Flight Time

Bishop International Airport, www.bishopairport.org. AirTran Airways offers non-stop flights to Flint, and flights to more than 50 major U.S. cities. 1-800-AIR-TRAN, www.airtran.com

Someone Helpful

Flint Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 877-FlintMI (354-6864), www.visitflint.travel.

Editor’s note: Regina Lynch organizes cultural press trips, and handles destination marketing for resorts, bed and breakfasts, and tourism boards. More information on The Write Publicist & Co. can be found at www.thewritepublicist.com.