$30.3 Million for Saginaw’s Medical Diamond Project

Saginaw, Mich., part of the Great Lakes Bay Region, June 29, 2023, The Michigan legislature passed the fiscal year 2023/2024 budget Wednesday night, which includes $30.3 million in funding for Saginaw’s Medical Diamond project. When signed by the Governor, the funds will be awarded to the City of Saginaw for infrastructure improvements to prepare a site on Washington Ave. for a transformational development project. 

“We are thrilled that the State is supporting our vision to have comprehensive medical education and healthcare services, providing access to our citizens,” said Cit​​​​​​​y of Saginaw Manager Tim Morales. “We look forward to what the future holds for our community.”

The project has been a collaborative effort between the City of Saginaw, County of Saginaw, Saginaw Future Inc., the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce and many others. The Saginaw City Council and the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners have each approved $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support related health care initiatives and the overall development.​​​​​​​

“The County has worked closely with the City, Saginaw Future and the Chamber to bring this vision to reality,” said Commission Chairman Christopher Boyd. “We are making great progress towards a healthier Saginaw.”

Saginaw has the highest infant mortality and obesity rates in Michigan. Life expectancy is more than five years less than the county and state of Michigan. Nearly 35% of people in the City of Saginaw live in poverty. The community’s vision is to support the collaboration of experts in medical education and healthcare services to improve access to healthcare and provide a learning environment for future medical professionals.

"We have been proud to be part of expanding healthcare access in this region,” Dr. George Kikano, Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the College of Medicine at Central Michigan University (CMU), said. "We are excited to explore our role in this opportunity, which would allow CMU to build upon existing operations in Saginaw, including our medical education programs, and to strengthen existing relationships with health care systems and providers in the region.”

Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet, Representative Amos O’Neal and former Senator Ken Horn worked together to champion the legislation.

“We have been very concerned about the health of our citizens,” said Senator McDonald Rivet. “Supporting the vision to improve public health is of vital importance.”

“Saginaw has some of the most challenging health maladies in the state,” said Representative Amos O’Neal. “This development brings together our medical education and healthcare experts to move the needle on these statistics.”

Additional approvals are still being pursued for the project and a groundbreaking is expected later this year.

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The mission and vision of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce is to be the recognized leader for business in the region and communicate, connect and influence on behalf of our almost 1,000 members. Visit us at www.SaginawChamber.org.

Established in 1992, Saginaw Future Inc. (SFI) is a public-private alliance of local businesses, the County of Saginaw, City of Saginaw, 16 local municipalities and the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. SFI’s strategic partners also include education, labor and government. Since its beginning, SFI has remained dedicated to fostering quality job creation through expansion of local industry and attraction of new business projects to the community. www.SaginawFuture.com