Corning Increasing Investment and Jobs at
Saginaw County Solar Facility | | |
Photo courtesy of Corning Incorporated.
Corning Incorporated recently announced an acceleration of its advanced manufacturing operations in Saginaw County, Mich., to support increasing demand for U.S.-made solar components.
Corning’s new manufacturing facility is expected to create approximately 400 more, high-paying jobs for a total of 1,500. The new $1.5 billion facility will extend Corning's opportunity in the solar market, building off its leadership position in the manufacture of hyper-pure polysilicon through its ownership of Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC).
“Corning is excited to leverage our advanced manufacturing expertise to deliver top-quality solar components and secure the U.S. energy supply chain,” said AB Ghosh, Corning Vice President and General Manager of Solar Technologies and Chairman and CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor. Ghosh is also the Secretary/Treasurer of the Saginaw Future Inc. Board of Directors.
The company’s increased manufacturing capacity will enable Corning to supply high-quality solar wafers and help strengthen the domestic solar supply chain with industry-leading solar manufacturers. Last month, Corning, Suniva and Heliene announced the only solar module made with polysilicon, wafers, and cells manufactured in the U.S.
Tom Miller Jr., President and CEO of Saginaw Future Inc., expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, " We are proud to have worked alongside Corning, as well as our local, state, and federal partners, to help bring this transformational project to life. Their expanded commitment is a major win for the region and further validates the strength of our advanced manufacturing sector. Thank you again for your continued support in making projects like this possible."
Saginaw Future Inc., the county's economic development organization, played a pivotal role in facilitating this investment. Assistance included coordinating with local governments and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to assemble the incentive package and support infrastructure development. This development is anticipated to bolster Michigan's position in the clean energy sector and contribute significantly to the local economy.
| | Eagle Creek Solar Park Will Generate $30 Million in Taxes | | |
Eagle Creek Solar Park is a wholly owned subsidiary of EDP Renewables North America LLC and is developing a ground-mounted Solar Energy System or Solar Park. The Eagle Creek Solar Park includes a 120-megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) solar photovoltaic (PV) energy-generating facility on approximately 831 acres of agricultural land in Fremont Twp., west of St. Charles. The park will generate enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 32,000 Michigan homes. The project represents a capital investment of approximately $250 million. In addition, the project will generate more than $30 million in taxes supporting local schools and community services over the operational life of the project. Hundreds of construction jobs will be created as well as several permanent jobs during the operational phase of the project.
| | Kapex Manufacturing Expanding in Saginaw Township | | |
Kapex Manufacturing LLC recently acquired Jag, a Saugatuck, MI-based company, and consolidated all operations at its Saginaw facility, increasing revenue by $500,000. To support this growth, Kapex expanded its production space from 3,000 to 11,000 sq. feet by purchasing the facility it was leasing within. The company continues to collaborate with Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! and the Saginaw Career Complex for workforce development and is exploring support from Consumers Energy for facility upgrades. Additionally, Kapex is working with Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center on a gap analysis to pursue an Industry 4.0 grant which SFI will provide support.
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Saginaw Community Food Club Under Construction | The Saginaw Community Food Club & Kitchen is a non-profit grocery store that prioritizes choice, participation, affordability and access to healthy food. The store will be in a new building on the block of Franklin, Meredith and Holden Streets; just west of MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw. This project is an innovative solution to food insecurity that provides members the ability to shop with points based on income levels and to access fresh, wholesome food. The building will also provide kitchen stations to enable staff and volunteers to help members cook foods that may be unfamiliar. The overall investment is projected at $5 million, which will support four new jobs and 50 volunteers. SFI assisted the food club with a $96,300 Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development grant which was 1 of 51 funded projects across the state. | | | | Cignys Invests in Thomas Township | |
Cignys' Thomas Township manufacturing facility is undergoing significant upgrades, with a total investment of $3.8 million aimed at improving infrastructure and operations. The project includes critical enhancements to the facility’s mechanical and electrical systems, as well as structural modifications. Key project highlights include mechanical and electrical improvements, addition of a Bridge Mill, the creation of a walled-off room to support new paint booth capabilities and a barn renovation. Moltus Builders is managing the project, and these improvements reflect a commitment to supporting future operational needs. SFI is working with Township officials on an incentive to support the project.
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Prahi Enterprises Project in Swan Creek
Located on the corner of M-52 and Swan Creek Rd, Prahi Enterprises is preparing to break ground on its new $3 million convenience store and quick service restaurant. Prahi Enterprises has demolished the existing building structure and will develop a new, single-story gasoline filling station, convenience store, and quick service restaurant totaling 3,000 sq. ft. The station will include eight fuel dispenser locations (thirteen total pumps). The food service planned for the store includes Krispy Krunchy Chicken® and Hunt Brothers Pizza®. SFI assisted the company with P.A. 210 of 2005. This act supports the rehabilitation of commercial property by abating the property taxes generated from the new investment for a period of up to 10 years. Previously SFI assisted the developer with a $750,000 Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Brownfield remediation grant to assist with the environmental clean-up.
| | | | Saginaw Future Welcomes Two Staff Additions | | |
Brady Duke
Economic Development Coordinator
Brady Duke joined Saginaw Future Inc. in the spring of 2025 after spending five years at Saginaw Valley State University, where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA. Before joining Saginaw Future, he worked developing and growing a small business, helping them navigate a successful leadership transition. His passion stems from a strong commitment to helping others overcome business challenges and achieve their goals.
Duke has played a key role in several large-scale community initiatives, including MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan, the FIRST in Michigan Robotics State Competition, and the SVSU/Meijer COVID-19 vaccination clinics in 2021 and 2022. He is excited to continue his work supporting the community and small businesses by driving economic development in Saginaw County with Saginaw Future.
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Grace Smith
Economic Development Coordinator
Grace Smith is an economic development coordinator at Saginaw Future Inc. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science and environmental science from Alma College. After graduating, Smith served as a policy assistant at the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) for just under two years. Smiththen moved back to her hometown of Frankenmuth, Michigan, securing a role at Star of the West Milling Company in sustainability and community engagement before joining Saginaw Future.
She has enjoyed traveling during and after college and was able to spend time in India as part of Alma College's Model United Nations Program and had the opportunity through MABA to visit Rwanda and Zimbabwe as a participant in the Alliance for African Fellowship Professional Fellowship Program through Michigan State University.
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APEX Government Contracting Opportunities
The Region 5 Saginaw Future APEX Accelerator assists businesses in identifying and securing government contracts. In the first quarter, the APEX assisted 15 companies that won 61 government contracts valued at nearly $41 million.
The federal government is a multibillion-dollar purchaser of goods and services. States and local governments are also major purchasers of products and services. The APEX can help companies and leadership understand and take advantage of government contracting opportunities for NO FEE.
| | | | New to Export Workshop Held in Downtown Saginaw | | The New to Export Workshop was held recenty at the Saginaw Future office to help businesses expand into new markets and take products to a global stage. The Van Andel Global Trade Center, the Saginaw Future APEX and additional partners helped develop the training session. Interested businesses may email dsallen@saginawfuture.com for more information on future training. | | Former Saginaw Future President Recognized | |
(l-r) Jack Tany, Saginaw County Board of Commissioners Chair; JoAnn Crary, Former President of Saginaw Future Inc.; Michael Webster, Saginaw County Commissioner
Former Saginaw Future President JoAnn Crary received a Proclaimation and Award for her more than 30-year career and service to Saginaw County from the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners.
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Great Lakes Tech Park Receives Bronze Classification
for Michigan Site Readiness | | The Great Lakes Tech Park has received a Bronze Classification for Michigan Site Readiness by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It is only one of seven bronze sites and one silver site for the State of Michigan. The MI Sites program is a comprehensive site readiness program designed to build a strong portfolio of ready sites through the identification, analysis and marketing of the most developable industrial sites in the state of Michigan. | | Saginaw Future 2024 Award Companies | | Explore Our 2024 Annual Report | |
2024 Memorial Cup Hosts Receives Two Awards | |
Photo courtesy of Craig Goslin.
The Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, was recognized at the Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The effort earned the Michigan Travel Commission’s Non-Traditional Collaboration Award for its groundbreaking work hosting the 2024 CHL Memorial Cup.
Additionally, last year’s tournament won the Sports Event & Toursim Association Event Partnership of the Year Award (under 500,000 population). The $40 million impact and seven transformative legacy projects, including major venue upgrades, highlighted the power of cross-border collaboration in revitalizing Saginaw, Michigan.
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Navigation Employer Pulse Survey
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is launching an effort to establish a career navigation strategy to help job seekers across Michigan find job opportunities and to support businesses in filling talent gaps. As part of this initiative, they are looking for employers in each region to participate in their 5 minute pulse survey, and would greatly appreciate your input. The objective of this survey is to understand awareness of career navigation services, specifically Michigan Works! and community colleges, as well as interactions with these services to recruit, train and retain talent. The survey will gauge employer experience with career navigation services, and provide an opportunity to share ideas on how these services could be improved.
Survey Link
| | Great Lakes Bay Region 5 Good News | | |
Great Lakes Bay Region 5 is an economic development partnership that covers Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw Counties.
The county-wide and multi-countywide economic development organizations collaborate on talent attraction and retention, site location, asset development, business attraction and more. Below is a regional web site, video and You Tube channel featuring our Region 5.
| | Saginaw Future's Outstanding Contributors! | |
Saginaw Future Inc. | 989-754-8222
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