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Compared to the rest of the country, Battle Creek's cost of living is 13% lower than the U.S. national average and 3% less expensive to live in than the average city in Michigan.
In July 2024 Battle Creek's unemployment rate was 6.30% compared to the State of Michigan's rate of 4.50%.
Michigan Works! Southwest Calhoun County Service Center www.michiganworkssouthwest.org offers a plethora of resources for career exploration and job search. For a list of local employment agencies, please contact the Family Advocacy Program Manager at 269-961-4051.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by worldwide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number CONUS or OCONUS utilize 94-312-661-xxxx.
The mission of Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), DLA Disposition Services, Defense Logistics Information Services (DLIS), and DLA Installation Management are:
On May 31, 2003 the Battle Creek Federal Center was renamed the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center (HDIFC) in honor of the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, late U.S. Senator Robert (Bob) J. Dole, and the late U.S. Senator Philip A. Hart. This was the Centennial Celebration for a century of service, from 1903 - 2003, for the Battle Creek Federal Center. The buildings have been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976, and on the Register of Historic Places for both the State of Michigan and City of Battle Creek since September 1989. The reason for this distinction is not just that the buildings are old, big or important looking, but because of the many significant things which have happened here since 1866. Since 1876, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg became Physician in Chief of the Western Health Reform Institute, the first health retreat operated by the Seventh-day Adventists. In 1878, he built a new structure on the site of the present Federal Center and named it the Battle Creek Sanitarium. In 1942, the U.S. Army bought the complex and converted the buildings into the Percy Jones Army Hospital. The Army operated the 1,500 bed hospital through World War II and the Korean Conflict. In 1954, the buildings were placed under the control of the General Services Administration (GSA). The first tenant was the Federal Civil Defense Administration. In 1954, the complex was renamed the Battle Creek Federal Center. In 1959, the GSA began using facility space for other federal organizations, and by 1962, twenty-eight different agencies were housed there, including Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC). Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) remains the principal tenant at HDIFC, however still houses several tenants; both Federal Government Agencies and Federal Contractors.
The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center serves over 1,900 DOD civilian, military and contract personnel.
Battle Creek City population: 52,123
Calhoun County population: 133,366 with a growth rate of -0.04% in the past year according to the most recent United States census data.
The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center (HDIFC) serves DoD civilian and military personnel and their families, retirees, veterans, civilians, contractors and joint services. The workforce consists of approximately 1945 personnel, many have a military background. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) supports three of the major tenants (Disposition Services, Logistics Information, and Installation Management) in the Federal Center.
USA, Midwest region, Michigan, Battle Creek. Located southwest of Lansing, and southeast of Grand Rapids, you'll find the city of Battle Creek, "Cereal Capital of the World". Battle Creek is the home of the Kellogg Company, Kellogg Community Foundation and Post Cereal plant. As the largest city in Calhoun County, it provides steel production, auto parts, medical electronics, and intelligence supplies manufacturers as major employers. The Battle Creek Unlimited website has a wealth of information about the demographics, business opportunities, transformation of Battle Creek, and relocation to Battle Creek.
Battle Creek has several reserve units, consisting of the Ft. Custer Air National Guard, Army National Guard, Navy Reserves, Marine Reserves, Army Reserves, and the Coast Guard, that have active duty members as part of their joint teams. The city is a low to moderate cost area which is comfortable to live in. It's a small city of approximately 51,595 people according to the U.S. Census Bureau, "the best known city of its size in America." The city is surrounded by rural townships, making the county population approximately 132,111 people; had a growth rate of -0.44% in the past year. Abounding in a variety of unique and enjoyable attractions. From recreational pursuits in numerous parks including Ft. Custer State Recreation Area with 3,033-acres, many lakes and rivers and festivals and year-round activities in the cities; to exploration of museums and heritage sites; to family enrichment among countless cultural events including theater, symphony and the visual arts, to include outdoor concerts in the summer; and much more.
We are the home of Kellogg's Tony the Tiger, host the annual "Field of Flight" https://fieldofflight.com air show and hot air balloon festival that thousands come to enjoy each summer, and the popular Binder Park Zoo with its main attraction of the Safari to Wild Africa - the giraffes enjoy being fed by the visitors. We have over 7,000 acres, including the Fort Custer Recreational Area, Kellogg Forest, Ott Biological Preserve, and the Leila Arboretum for hiking, fishing, camping, swimming and other outdoor activities. The Linear Park Pathway's beautiful surroundings link natural waterways and parks with over 22 miles of pathway ideal for strolling, rollerblading, biking, picnicking, fishing, and canoeing. Battle Creek is about an hour from the top Michigan beaches and notable Michigan wineries. For you golfers, there are over 40 public golf courses that are within the surrounding 8 counties, close to 20 courses are within a 15 minute drive from downtown Battle Creek.
If you are a history enthusiast, then you'll enjoy Battle Creek's history, to include the beginning of Kellogg's cereals, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church headquarters in the 1860s and the Adventist Village, the Underground Railroad, Sojourner Truth, and so much more. Come and enjoy Battle Creek! Check out the Battle Creek/Calhoun County Visitors Bureau at https://www.battlecreekvisitors.org for local events and attractions.
Driving from the Gerald R. Ford (Grand Rapids) International Airport and M-37 South
Head northeast on 44th St. SE (1.1 miles), turn right at 44th St. SE/Walsh Dr. SE (.4 miles), turn right at 44th St. SE (.2 miles), turn left at Patterson Ave. SE (1.6 miles), turn left at Broadmoor Ave SE/M-37 S. (20.7 miles), turn left at M-37/M-43/W State St. (2.7 miles), turn right at S. Hanover St. (1.2 miles), Continue on Bedford Rd./M-37 (20.2 miles), turn left at Morgan Rd. (2.1 miles), turn right at Washington St. N. (2.0 miles), and arrive at 74 Washington St. N., Battle Creek, MI 49037 - The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.
Driving on M-37N
Drive north on Helmer Rd./M-37 (20.2 miles), turn right on Dickman Rd.. (2.1 miles), turn left at S. Washington St.. (.6 miles), and arrive at 74 Washington St. N., Battle Creek, MI 49037 - The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.
Driving from Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport and I-94E/M-66N
Head west on E. Milham Ave. toward Willoughby Dr. (.4 miles), turn right at Portage Rd. (1.0 miles), follow slight right onto the I-94/ E. Kilgore Rd. ramp (.2 miles), merge onto I-94 E. (20.3 miles), take exit 98B to merge onto I-194 N/M-66 N toward Downtown Battle Creek (4.2 miles), turn left at E. Van Buren St. (.7 miles), turn right at Washington St. N. (.1 miles), arrive at 74 Washington St. N., Battle Creek, MI 49037 - The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.
Driving from Lansing Capital City Airport and I-69S/I-94W/M-66N
Head east on W. State Rd. toward S. DeWitt Rd. (.7 miles), turn left at S. DeWitt Rd. (1.0 miles), turn left at W. Stoll Rd. (.2 miles), turn right at S. DeWitt Rd. (1.4 miles), turn left to merge onto I-69 W. toward Ft. Wayne (11.9 miles), take exit 97 to merge onto I-69 S. toward Ft. Wayne (34.3 miles), take exit 38 to merge onto I-94 W. toward Chicago (10.0 miles), take exit 98B to merge onto I-194 N/M-66 N toward Downtown Battle Creek (3.7 miles), turn left at E. Van Buren St. (.7 miles), turn right at Washington St. N. (.1 miles), arrive at 74 Washington St. N., Battle Creek, MI 49037 - The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.
Driving from Detroit Metropolitan Airport and I-94W/M-66N
Head southwest on William G. Rogell Dr. toward Burton Dr. (489 ft.), make a U-turn at Burton Dr. (signs for Rental Car Return) ( .3 miles), continue on Merriman Rd. (.4 miles), merge onto I-94 W. via the ramp to Chicago (99.3 miles), take exit 98B to merge onto I-194 N/M-66 N toward Downtown Battle Creek (3.7 miles), turn left at E. Van Buren St. (.7 miles), turn right at Washington St. N. (.1 miles), arrive at 74 Washington St. N., Battle Creek, MI 49037 - The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.
Driving I-69N/I-94W/M-66N
From I-69N, take exit 38 to merge onto I-94 W. toward Chicago (10.0 miles), take exit 98B to merge onto I-194 N/M-66 N toward Downtown Battle Creek (3.7 miles), turn left at E. Van Buren St. (.7 miles), turn right at Washington St. N. (.1 miles), arrive at 74 Washington St. N., Battle Creek, MI 49037 - The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.
Driving M-66S
Drive M-66 S toward Downtown Battle Creek, turn right at E. Van Buren St. (.7 miles), turn right at Washington St N. (.1 miles), arrive at 74 Washington St. N., Battle Creek, MI 49037 - The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.
Driving US-131 S / M-89S from Plainwell
Head south on US 131, take exit 49A to merge onto Allegan St./M-89 E toward Plainwell. Continue to follow M-89 E (12.0 miles). Turn right at 32nd St. N / M-43 / M-89 (1.0 miles). Turn left E / M-89 at D Ave. Continue to follow M-89 (14.8 miles). Turn left at S. Washington St. (.2 miles), arrive at 74 Washington St. N., Battle Creek, MI 49037 - The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.
Driving US-131 N from Indiana / I-94 E
Head north on US-131. Take exit 34A to merge onto I-94 E toward Detroit (24.8 miles). Take exit 98B to merge onto I-194 N/M-66 N toward Downtown Battle Creek (3.7 miles), turn left at E. Van Buren St. (.7 miles), turn right at Washington St. N. (.1 miles), arrive at 74 Washington St. N., Battle Creek, MI 49037 - The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.
Arrival at Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center
Upon arrival at Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center, 74 Washington St. N., Battle Creek, MI. park in the Washington Street Visitor's Parking Lot, located on the west side of the street, straight across from the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center. After entering the building, the Security personnel will provide a temporary parking pass and provide parking instructions. The HDI Federal Center is considered a "closed" facility and ID is necessary. From 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, visitors should enter the facility through the Visitor Center (Washington St. lobby) and guard desk. At all other times, visitors must enter the facility through the Champion St. employee entrance. Contact the guard at the Control Center by using the Champion St. entrance's outside intercom.
269-961-4000 or DSN 94-312-661-4000