Granholm, MEDC Honor Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Executive Committee Chair and General Motors Executive Matthew P. Cullen and MEDC President and CEO James C. Epolito recently honored Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, along with additional Michigan companies, economic development organizations and individuals.  The Michigan Diversification Celebration, held at the state Capitol in Lansing, recognizes businesses for laying new economic foundations in competitive-edge technology sectors.

“These honorees are examples of businesses that are choosing Michigan, growing in Michigan, and thriving in Michigan,” Granholm said.  “This is part of our aggressive and comprehensive economic plan to diversify our economy – and these honorees are contributing to our state’s high-tech transformation through cutting-edge research, smart business practices, innovative products and high-tech job growth.”

Awards were presented to honorees that have made a significant contribution to diversifying the economy of Michigan over the past year.  The Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation (HSC), located in Saginaw County, MI, was recognized in the large business category for Outstanding Diversification in Alternative Energy.

HSC is the world’s leading producer of polycrystalline silicon for the solar and semiconductor industries, and is in the midst of a $1 billion expansion.  This is the largest expansion in the industry’s history and will nearly double the company’s production capacity to 36,000 metric tons annually.  A joint venture of the Dow Corning Corporation, Shin Etsu Handotai and Mitsubishi Materials Corp., HSC announced two expansions in Hemlock in an 18-month period.  Polycrystalline silicon is the base material used in microchips in computers and cell phones, as well as solar cells that harvest renewable energy from light.

“From a business vantage point, these awards show decision makers that Michigan is ripe with opportunity for growth in competitive-edge industries,” Cullen said.  “This celebration is an indication of the progress we are seeing in our efforts to attract and grow high-tech companies.”

The 2007 Diversification Achievement Award categories and honorees:

• Outstanding Diversification Achievement in Life Sciences
  - Stryker Corporation, Kalamazoo (Large Business)
  - Hoover Precision Products LLC, Sault. Ste. Marie (Small Business)

• Outstanding Diversification Achievement in Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive & Materials
  - Cascade Engineering, Grand Rapids (Large Business)
  - ElectroJet Inc., Brighton (Small Business)

• Outstanding Diversification Achievement in Homeland Security and Defense
  - Burtek Inc., Chesterfield Twp. (Large Business)
  - Pixel Velocity Inc., Ann Arbor (Small Business)

• Outstanding Diversification Achievement in Alternative Energy
  - Dow Corning’s Hemlock Semiconductor Operation, Hemlock (Large Business)
  - Ilumisys Inc., Troy (Small Business)

• Outstanding Diversification Achievement Urban Community Economic Development Partner
  - Ann Arbor SPARK

• Outstanding Diversification Achievement - Rural Community Economic Development Partner
  - Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation

• Outstanding Diversification Achievement – Individual
  - Kenneth I. Rogers, Automation Alley

• Outstanding Diversification Achievement - Non-profit Economic Development Partner
  - Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center

• Outstanding Diversification Achievement - Transformational Project
  - Detroit RiverFront Conservancy

“These companies, organizations and individuals demonstrate the wealth of talent and entrepreneurial spirit we have in Michigan,” Epolito said.  “Our business climate, high-tech infrastructure and excellent workforce are helping these honorees lead the charge on diversification and new jobs.”

The Dow Corning Corporation recently hosted a roundtable discussion where Tri-City area alternative energy companies discussed the role alternative energy is playing in Michigan's economy.  The roundtable was part of a series of meetings Governor Jennifer M. Granholm is holding to promote alternative energy industry in Michigan.

"Developing alternative sources of energy is critical for our nation in the 21st century, and it can mean thousands and thousands of jobs for Michigan citizens," Granholm said.  "Michigan is the state that put the world on wheels, and with some hard work and a solid plan, we will be the state that revolutionizes the way we fuel our cars and power our homes."

The alternative energy meetings, which Granholm started in early November with representatives from a dozen job-creating companies and projects in the alternative energy sector, has covered ten cities.

"Companies like Dow Corning are working to make their processes more competitive while creating additional jobs through alternative energy development," Granholm said.  "This industry has limitless potential.  We are going to make sure that Michigan is the hub for that future growth and job creation."

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