Saginaw Future Inc. - 15 Years of Excellence
February 23, 2007
15 Year Anniversary
Saginaw Future Inc. (SFI) celebrated 15 years of economic development
excellence created in Saginaw County. Since 1992, SFI assisted nearly
350 business expansion and attraction projects generating more than $2.6
billion in new investment, and created and retained more than 10,000 jobs
in Saginaw County.
“Over the past 15 years, our local business community has been able to
grow despite a dramatically changing economic climate,” said Gary Glaza,
2006 chairman of the Saginaw Future Inc. Board of Directors. “Saginaw
Future has played an important role in assisting companies develop in
these challenging times.”
Since 1992, Saginaw Future was able to secure more than $54 million in
infrastructure and development grants for Saginaw County. Through
partnerships with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and
Michigan Works!, SFI helped companies receive grant funds for the training
and retraining of nearly 4,800 workers. Over the past 15 years, the
Saginaw Future Procurement and Technical Assistance Center helped area
companies win more than 2,700 local, state and federal government
contracts valued at nearly $139 million.
“The numerous projects and grant dollars secured for Saginaw County, along
with the economic expertise that Saginaw Future provides, clearly shows
how much of an impact that Saginaw Future Inc. has had on our community
over the past 15 years and for years to come,” said Glaza.
Established in 1992, Saginaw Future Inc. is a public-private
partnership of business, government, labor and education. Saginaw Future
has agreements in place to provide economic development services for the
City of Saginaw, County of Saginaw and 15 local municipalities. Over 165
private businesses and individuals, along with 14 foundations and
organizations, also provide contributions to the 501(c)3 economic
development organization.
15th Annual Business Meeting
Saginaw Future featured 32 award
companies that invested over $51 million in Saginaw County in 2006. The
Economic Excellence Awards were given today at Saginaw Future’s 15th
Annual Business Meeting, which was attended by over 300 business and
community leaders.
Out of the 32 companies that Saginaw
Future worked with in 2006, 19 were advanced manufacturers, four were
medical related manufacturers and service providers, four were commercial
companies, three specialized in professional services, one in agribusiness
and one company was a transportation provider.
“As reflected in the 2006 projects, Saginaw County has been able to keep
pace with global economic change through diversification,” SFI President
JoAnn Crary stated, “In 1992 Saginaw County’s largest employers were
advanced manufacturers, which are still very important, however today’s
largest employers are medical service providers.”
The SFI 15th Annual Business Meeting’s featured speaker was
Michigan Economic Development Corporation President & CEO James C. Epolito.
He summarized the economic challenges facing Michigan, and the new strategic
plan and economic tools that have been developed by the MEDC to help
Michigan excel in the new economy. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow also spoke
on the economic projects that have benefited the Saginaw community.
For more information about Saginaw Future,
please contact:
Greg LaMarr, Marketing Coordinator, 989-757-2104
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