"We welcome Suniva to our growing list of world-class green manufacturing leaders that are establishing operations here," Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said. "They’re coming here for the skilled workforce, strong work ethic and competitive business climate that are synonymous with Michigan."

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) recently, on a Michigan Economic Development Corporation recommendation (MEDC), approved a photovoltaic Michigan Business Tax (MBT) credit valued at $15 million over five years. Other state and local incentives were also provided by the MEDC, County of Saginaw and Thomas Township. www.suniva.com

GlobalWatt Selects Saginaw
San Jose, Calif.-based GlobalWatt Inc. recently announced that it will locate its 500-job, $177 million solar module production plant in the City of Saginaw. The GlobalWatt announcement came after the company was awarded Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credits, including seven years of employment tax credits and a $10 million large brownfield Michigan business tax credit.

Sanjeev Chitre, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GlobalWatt, said the decision to locate in Saginaw largely was based on the other solar-related investments in the area, such as those at Thomas Township’s HSC and interest by Suniva, combined with the existence of a skilled labor force with a background in auto manufacturing, who easily can transition into solar-related manufacturing.

Economic analysis by the MEDC estimates the GlobalWatt facility will generate a total of 2,768 jobs, including 500 direct jobs, by the year 2016. GlobalWatt will locate its production facility at 1200 Leon Scott in Saginaw and expects to begin operating in 2010. www.globalwatt.com

Dow Corning Invests $3.5 Million in Solar Solutions Center 
Dow Corning Corp. invested another $3.5 million at its Solar Solutions Applications Center in Freeland. The investment supports continued research and development of new techniques to commercialize the use of silicones. The company is working towards replacing organic materials in the construction of solar laminates, which then are made into solar modules. Demonstrating its commitment to drive solar power innovations, Dow Corning opened its Solar Solutions Application Center in 2008 to collaborate with customers to develop, evaluate and pilot materials solutions used to manufacture solar panels.

The 27,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility represents a combined investment of $6.5 million and includes a laboratory, pilot equipment and testing facilities. A team of more than 25 engineers and scientists staff the facility, which is designed to be expanded as needed to meet the needs of the growing solar and photovoltaic industry. Dow Corning is investing to expand its portfolio of total solution packages for solar cell manufacturing, module assembly and installation. www.dowcorning.com

Morley Companies Adds 650 Jobs & More to Come
Morley Companies, Inc. added 650 new jobs and invested $4.5 million in Saginaw Charter Township. The MEDC awarded Morley a five-year, $2.8 million tax credit to beat out competing sites in Oregon, Texas and Canada. Saginaw Township, also awarded a six-year tax break to the company for new equipment and fixtures in the building, the fourth to rise on the site.

The 32,750 sq. ft. facility houses a call center and a training area, where employees provide data collection and market research. SF and the Saginaw County Chamber worked with area legislators to modify the current MEGA law, to include health care benefits in the eligibility criteria. This enabled Morley be the first in the State to benefit from the law change.

Morley Companies is also in the process of attracting new business opportunities for its market research product. The company expects to invest $3 million and create 700 jobs over the next five years as a result. The MEDC provided a MEGA Michigan Business Tax Credit for 10 years. www.morleynet.com 

Nexteer Automotive has Long-Term Plan
Nexteer Automotive, formerly Delphi Steering, plans to invest $400 million in its Buena Vista Charter Township operations including job retention, information technology, manufacturing equipment and retaining the global headquarters. This investment also supports Nexteer Automotive’s Michigan-based global engineering center, which includes R&D activities, product and process validation labs, manufacturing process development labs and the Vehicle Engineering Center and test track.

In an effort to advance these goals, the company received a retention tax credit on 2,400 full-time employees at the Buena Vista facility from the MEDC’s MEGA board and received local approve from Township officials. The expected value of the incentive is $70 million over 10 years.

The MEGA credits are important in terms of retaining high-skilled jobs in the State and the MEDC’s partnership is essential to increasing the long-term economic growth and competitiveness of companies based in Michigan. www.nexteerautomotive.com

Merrill Technologies Targets Alternative Energy Opportunities
Merrill Technologies Group (MTG), in partnership with Northern Power Systems, received a $3 million diversification grant through the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth and the MEDC.

The funds will be matched with $3 million from the company and will be used to construct prototypes and a pilot program, using permanent magnet generators and advanced direct-drive design technology. The expectation is that MTG will become a major supplier for Michigan-made wind turbines developed by Northern Power, an American wind turbine OEM. The turbine will consist of almost entirely American-made content and will be destined for U.S. markets. The project is expected to create between 75 and 125 jobs initially.