January 2026

Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine
at Central Michigan University Advancing
in the Heart of the City of Saginaw

Saginaw Future, Inc. (SFI) proudly celebrates a transformational breakthrough with the relocation and expansion of the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at Central Michigan University in the heart of the City of Saginaw. After years of collaboration, analysis, and shared regional vision, CMU announced on November 21, 2025, that it has secured $80 million in historic philanthropic commitments to advance this long-planned project within the emerging Saginaw Medical Diamond.

This milestone is made possible by landmark $40 million commitments from Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health - the largest gifts in CMU’s history. Both institutions are long-term supporters of Saginaw Future, major employers, and pillars of the region’s healthcare structure.

“We are incredibly proud to work alongside Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health, two of our region’s most respected institutions and long-time partners,” said Tom Miller, President & CEO of Saginaw Future Inc. “Their leadership and investment will shape the future of medical education, healthcare delivery, and economic development in our region for decades to come.”

This achievement reflects a vision that Saginaw Future and its partners have pursued for years. Years ago, Saginaw Future commissioned a comprehensive study by Tripp Umbach, one of the nation’s leading medical education and economic consulting firms. The findings were clear: CMU had the greatest geographic separation in the country between its first two years of medical education (Years 1 & 2) and its clinical training (Years 3 & 4) and this distance hindered program integration and student engagement. The study confirmed what regional leaders understood, consolidating medical education in Saginaw would create long-term benefits for the entire region.

SFI extends sincere appreciation to the many partners whose leadership and commitment helped bring this vision to life, including: the City of Saginaw, County of Saginaw, Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, Saginaw Valley State University, Shaheen Development, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, Representative Amos O’Neal, U.S. Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet, Central Michigan University, along with the CMU College of Medicine leadership team and the Members of the Saginaw Medical Diamond Steering Committee.

“This project has been our long-term goal for many years,” Miller added. “From the early days of the College of Medicine to this historic announcement, Saginaw Future and our partners have remained focused on shaping a future where medical education, healthcare, and economic opportunity thrive together in the City of Saginaw and across the region.”

Menards Inc. Expands in the City of Saginaw

Menards is investing $21 million at its Saginaw distribution center to build a 38,700-square-foot bagging facility – the company’s first of its kind in Michigan. The new facility will package aggregates and Portland cement for distribution to Menards retail stores across the state. The project will retain 76 existing positions and create five new jobs while redeveloping a 30-acre brownfield property with a long history of industrial use and contamination. To support the project, Menards received approval for an Industrial Facilities Tax Abatement and a Brownfield Tax Increment Financing Plan. Saginaw Future played a key role in supporting the company’s expansion efforts and coordinated with the City to advance both requests.

303 Adams Housing Development

Shaheen Development is investing $11 million in the redevelopment of properties along Adams Street in Old Town into a new four-story mixed-use building with two ground-floor commercial spaces and 30 upper-floor apartments. The project also includes the construction of two three-story townhomes, covered and surface parking, new green space along South Niagara Street, and public improvements to sidewalks and landscaping. The City of Saginaw approved a Brownfield Plan to assist with demolition, asbestos abatement, due care activities, site preparation, and infrastructure improvements. Saginaw Future supported the project through coordination with the City, the City’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and the Saginaw City Council.

Modern Warehousing in Downtown Saginaw

Shaheen Development is investing $2.1 million to redevelop 400 Federal Ave., the former Jacobson’s building, into a modern packing and receiving warehouse in downtown Saginaw. The project will transform a long-underutilized two-story commercial building through selective demolition, environmental remediation, and extensive interior and exterior renovations. Once complete, the facility will include ground-floor loading docks, office space, a shared common area, and a state-of-the-art logistics center designed to support growing business operations. Saginaw Future collaborated closely with Shaheen Development and the City to advance this Brownfield project.

Workforce Development for Fullerton Tool Company

Fullerton Tool Company operates manufacturing facilities in the City of Saginaw and Thomas Township. The company produces a comprehensive range of high-quality products — including end mills, drills, reamers, burrs, saws, key-seat cutters, and custom tooling — engineered to meet the diverse needs of industries worldwide. Fullerton Tool was recently awarded a Going PRO Talent Fund grant to support the training of 44 employees across 12 specialized courses focused primarily on manufacturing. The training includes programs in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), SolidWorks, 8D Problem Solving, Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing, and leadership development (Pruitt Motivational and Supervisor Skills).

Award Winning Firm in Old Town Saginaw

Grapp Lerash was founded in 2018 and has recently earned national recognition by ranking No. 3,824 on the Inc. 5,000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies, achieving an impressive 98 percent revenue growth over three years. Past honorees include Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, and Patagonia. The firm’s continued growth also represents a significant investment in Old Town Saginaw. Grapp Lerash now occupies 7,700 square feet at 122 S. Hamilton St., with a total project investment of $1.5 million. Saginaw Future assisted the business in activating a $5,000 DDA facade improvement grant to support exterior signage upgrades at its new location.

Going PRO Grant for J.R. Heineman & Sons, Inc.

Established in 1910, J.R. Heineman & Sons, Inc. is a general construction company headquartered in the City of Saginaw. The company’s project portfolio spans a wide range of industries, including commercial, financial, retail, industrial, healthcare, educational sectors, and special projects. J.R. Heineman & Sons received a Going PRO Talent Fund grant to support the training of 30 existing U.S. Department of Labor registered apprentices through on-the-job carpentry instruction. This grant will provide valuable resources to help the company further develop and upskill its workforce and trades professionals.

Major Expansion for Hunger Solutions Center

The Hunger Solution Center serves as the home of Hidden Harvest and the East Side Soup Kitchen, enabling both organizations to work side by side to reduce food insecurity throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region. This $8.8 million expansion will ensure both organizations can continue meeting the region’s growing needs safely and efficiently — while positioning the site for future growth and an even greater impact in the fight against hunger. SFI aided the Hunger Solutions Center in becoming a recipient of a $5,000 DDA facade improvement grant to support digital sign upgrades at its soon-to-expanded site.

New Ebony Elevate Beauty School

Saginaw Future provided key support in the successful launch of Ebony Elevate Beauty School, including the development of operational policies and procedures. SFI also helped to establish a strategic partnership with the Saginaw Career Complex through direct engagement with its leadership team to explore collaborative initiatives. SFI supported the creation of a working relationship with Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!, and facilitated a critical connection between the school’s owner and the Superintendent of Buena Vista Charter Township to obtain facility licensing. Additionally, research was conducted on funding opportunities and SFI met with key stakeholders to explore strategies for increasing student enrollment.

Training Grant for Amsted Automotive

Amsted Automotive was established in 2021 following the merger of two core Tier1 automotive supply units of Amsted Industries: Means Industries and Burgess-Norton. Amsted's Saginaw facilities specialize in transmission systems and other automotive components, while also including work related to electric vehicle technologies. The company’s primary operations are based in the United States, but maintains a global footprint, with facilities that are regionally focused to serve diverse markets. The Going PRO Talent Fund grant will provide direct support to its Saginaw location, aiding 21 employees for 13 manufacturing-related technical skills courses (Six Sigma, Value Stream, Programmable Logic Controllers, CNC, Welding, etc.).

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 17 companies that won 164 government contracts valued at nearly $11.5 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.

Coming Home Hiring Event Mixer Draws
Strong Turnout and Positive Reviews

The Coming Home East Michigan hiring event mixer welcomed an impressive turnout, bringing together 98 registered career seekers exploring opportunities with 29 employers and supported by three community and workforce organizations. The lively mixer encouraged meaningful conversations, on-the-spot interviews, and new connections in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with five 4-star reviews and two 5-star reviews, reflecting strong employer engagement and a well-organized event experience.

A special thank-you goes out to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Spicer Group for their support in helping make the Coming Home hiring mixer a success!

Saginaw Future President Recognized by the IEDC

Recently, Saginaw Future President & CEO Tom Miller Jr. earned the distinguished credential of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) — the global certification awarded by the International Economic Development Council. The CEcD designation recognizes professionals who have demonstrated deep knowledge and proven competence in economic-development practices such as business attraction and expansion, strategic planning, workforce development, financing, and community investment. With this certification, Miller joins a network of internationally recognized economic development leaders. Saginaw Future will continue to attract investment, create jobs, and drive growth for Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region.

2025 Tax Updates to the
Employer-Provided Child Care Credit

Businesses will soon benefit from major improvements to the federal Employer-Provided Child Care Credit (IRC Section 45F)—a change designed to make child care support more accessible, affordable, and attractive for employers of all sizes. Previously, businesses were eligible for a maximum tax credit of $150,000, equal to 25% of qualified child care expenses. To receive the maximum benefit, employers needed to invest $600,000 in child care-related costs—an amount out of reach for many, especially small businesses. Under the new law, the credit becomes more practical and impactful. The updates increase both the credit rate and the maximum credit, and importantly, index these amounts to inflation, ensuring long-term value. Small businesses see even greater gains, with expanded credit rates and higher maximums tailored to their needs. Additionally, the law simplifies the process for multiple employers to jointly contract with a qualified child care provider, making it easier for companies to work together on shared solutions.

Saginaw DDA Launches New Public Arts Grant Program

The Saginaw Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has announced a new opportunity to enhance creativity and vibrancy in the city’s core with the launch of its Public Arts Grant Program. A total of $7,500 is now available to support public art projects that bring new energy, color, and community engagement to Downtown Saginaw. The program aims to encourage artists, nonprofits, and community groups to propose installations or art-driven activities that enhance the public experience. By investing in public art, the DDA hopes to strengthen the downtown environment, create unique gathering spaces, and contribute to Saginaw’s growing community. Please see fillable application https://bit.ly/saginawdda.

We are wrapping up our Future Forward – INVEST IN SFI Campaign, which will support our work over the next three years (2026–2028). SFI’s leadership and engagement have helped drive some of our region’s most impactful projects — including Corning, Hemlock Semiconductor, and the Saginaw Medical Diamond. Together, these efforts have resulted in billions in new investments and thousands of new jobs. If your company has not done so already, we are asking our key partners — like you — to consider contributing or renewing your annual commitment to help us build on this incredible momentum.

Saginaw Future will continue to pursue traditional economic development initiatives, such as business expansion projects, capital investment, job creation, and government contracts — while actively supporting the growth and success of the region’s cornerstone industries. This includes strengthening the Saginaw Medical Diamond and leveraging its momentum to generate business start-ups and countywide job opportunities. In addition, dedicated support will be provided to key employers like Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor, along with a continued focus on sustaining and growing legacy industries that have shaped the backbone of our local economy.

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