Saginaw’s Bright Future
Saginaw Future Inc. 16th Annual Business Meeting
Saginaw Future Inc. (SFI) honored 31 award companies
that invested an incredible $1.1 billion in Saginaw’s Bright Future.
The Economic Excellence Awards were presented today at Saginaw
Future’s 16th Annual Business Meeting, which was attended
by over 400 business and community leaders.
Throughout the past year, SFI assisted community businesses with
expansion projects and attracted new companies to Saginaw County. In total,
these firms expect to create some 808 new jobs and retain 383 jobs for the
area.
“The huge investment and job creation by local companies is a testament
to the potential of our community and Saginaw’s Bright Future,” said Dr.
Samuel Shaheen, chairman of the Saginaw Future Inc. Board of Directors.
“Statistically speaking, 2007 was the most successful year in Saginaw
Future’s history.”
Four large projects will have significant impact on the local economy:
- $1 billion expansion by Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, largest
worldwide producer of polycrystalline silicon
- $63 million investment by GM Powertrain - Saginaw Metal Casting
Operations in a new engine block line
- $9 million expansion by Glastender, Inc., which manufactures
restaurant and bar equipment distributed internationally
- $6 million Downtown Saginaw office building that will retain 200 and
add 60 business professionals.
SFI President JoAnn Crary stated, “In 2007, we saw a number of
investments from small to medium size companies, but the sheer size of the
four large projects are tremendously important for Saginaw County and the
region.”
The SFI 16th Annual Business Meeting featured speaker was Dow
Corning Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer and President of the Americas
Area J. Donald Sheets (please see the included biography). He also serves
as a Director for the Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation (HSC). Sheets
summarized the Dow Corning and HSC’s recent projects and outlined future
development in Mid-Michigan.
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 16 local municipalities.
Over 180 private businesses, organizations and individuals, along with
16 foundations, also provide contributions to the 501(c)3 economic
development organization.
Saginaw
Future Inc.