SAGINAW FUTURE DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER |
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Frankenmuth Woolen Mill
The company was established in 1894 and will invest $1.2 million, including a 4,500 sq. ft. expansion that will add production and warehouse space for its wool processing. The company is a small manufacturer, with a retail operation and an internet business that has grown exponentially. The new space will allow them to consolidate operations, increase efficiency and productivity and accommodate for growth. Frankenmuth Woolen Mill has had a 600% increase in internet sales since 2017. The company has also increased its market presence on the east and west coasts and its wholesale of wool bedding is growing due to demands for safe, environmentally friendly products. Frankenmuth Woolen Mill was recognized as one of the 2020 awardees for the Michigan 50 companies to watch.
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Covenant HealthCare and Mary Free Bed Expand Joint Venture |
Leaders from Covenant HealthCare and Mary Free Bed are expanding the scope of their existing 50-50 joint venture. In addition to the current 41-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit, four more areas will be included in the partnership. The expanded Mary Free Bed at Covenant Joint Venture will now include:
- Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Outpatient Rehabilitation
- Orthotics and Prosthetics
- Rehabilitation Physician Services
- Covenant Center for Autism
Mary Free Bed at Covenant will also provide rehabilitation services for:
- Therapy for patients hospitalized for general acute care treatment
- Transitional Care Therapy (the Covenant HealthCare skilled nursing program)
“After beginning the inpatient rehabilitation joint venture almost two years ago, it made sense to join together all rehabilitation services,” says Ed Bruff, Covenant HealthCare president and CEO. “The sole focus of Mary Free Bed is to restore hope and freedom through rehabilitation, and our partnership will continue having an extraordinary impact on patients.”
The project is a $40.7 million investment and when fully operational in the second or third quarter of 2021, the new rehabilitation hospital will bring 25-30 additional jobs to the City of Saginaw. Mary Free Bed is nationally recognized for achieving excellent patient satisfaction as well as rehabilitation outcomes. The Mary Free Bed team will also continue sharing educational programs and research opportunities.
“We’ve developed a great relationship with Covenant HealthCare clinicians and leaders,” said Kent Riddle, Mary Free Bed president and CEO. “It’s exciting to move forward together and advance rehabilitation care for residents of the Great Lakes Bay Region.”
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Small Business and Non-profit Grants Distributed |
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Small Business and Non-profit Grants Distributed - Over the past six months, SFI has been immersed in programs to assist small businesses and non-profits that have been impacted by Covid19 and the flood. In March and early April, SFI administered grant funds from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and was able to assist 131 businesses with working capital expenses at a time when stay at home orders had just begun.
In April, the Dow Foundation awarded $80,000 in grants to SFI, which were provided to nine Saginaw County based non-profits. Then in May, the Consumers Energy Foundation awarded $200,000 to SFI, which was provided to 145 organizations, including 53% to women-owned businesses and 27% to minority owned businesses. Each of the three programs was administered by our staff, with 100% granted to small businesses and non-profits. SFI did not retain administration fees, as the need in the community was so great at that time. The state has recently awarded SFI with $3,545,455 to distribute to Saginaw and Bay County businesses and non-profits and awards are expected to be made in the coming weeks. Grant guidelines call for at least 30% of these grants be made to women, minority or veteran owned small businesses (with 50 or less employees).
Recently the MEDC awarded an additional $4.7 million in low-interest loans to 71 small businesses in 15 counties across Michigan through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program.
“Our organization is proud to be a part of a collaborative that assisted seven regional businesses with loans totaling $350,000 from the Michigan Small Business Relief Program,” said Saginaw Future President JoAnn Crary. “Thanks to the MEDC for initiating this program and so many others that support and sustain our small businesses.”
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Career Opportunities at Morley Companies |
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With states transitioning from shelter in place to practice safe social distancing, Fortune 500 clients are asking Morley to help with the increase of customer service opportunities. In fact, the company has been asked to add over 300 positions over the next two months to fill. Morley is looking for people who get great satisfaction helping people overcome the challenges they are facing -candidates who can truly be empathetic to a person’s peril. Applicants with attitude should apply at the Morley careers website and join the company in helping Michigan and America move forward.
The 300 customer service positions are available at its Saginaw, Michigan, offices! All roles are full-time with excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurance; 401(k); paid vacation and holidays; and more.
Current opportunities include:
- Automotive Customer Service (including both entry-level roles and technical roles for experienced parts and service professionals)
- Health Care Customer Service
- Roadside Assistance
- Case Management
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Saginaw Future Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) assists businesses in identifying and securing government contracts. In the second quarter, the PTAC assisted 11 regional companies that won 32 government contracts valued at more than $3.1 million.
The federal government is a multi-billion dollar purchaser of goods and services. States and local governments are also major purchasers of products and services. To ensure that Saginaw County businesses have access to these contracts, the Region 5 PTAC was created. The organization is a sub-center of the Northwest Michigan PTAC and services Saginaw, Arenac, Bay, Clare, Isabella, Gladwin, Gratiot and Midland Counties. Housed at Saginaw Future offices, the PTAC can help you understand and take advantage of government contracting opportunities. By expanding your market, your firm will become more diversified and strengthen your customer base.
The Saginaw Future PTAC provides NO FEE assistance to businesses that are interested in tapping this market. We can help your business acquire federal and state government contracts.
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Significant Saginaw County Solar Project |
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Company officials from Tenaska, of Omaha, Nebraska announced the acquisition of up to 2,000 acres in Chesaning Township (in Saginaw County) and New Haven Township (in Shiawassee County). Tenaska is currently in the process of securing the land needed for a $150 million solar energy farm, with the majority located in Chesaning Township. The business has had meetings with Saginaw Future and the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, and expects to present a site plan during the fourth quarter, 2020.
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Ms C and T’s Learning Center |
Ms C and T’s Learning Center is a childcare center that has been operating in the City of Saginaw for five years. The business has been very successful, seeing consistent growth over the last few years. The Learning Center had been exploring expansion options for some time and now COVID caused a number of other centers in the area to close, which also increased business.
This expansion is essential to provide the childcare service Saginaw needs. Partnering with its building owner, Ms C and T’s Learning Place is opening a second location, also in the City of Saginaw. The total investment of $150,000 includes the purchase of the building at 2114 N. Michigan Ave., renovation costs, equipment and supplies. This new location will result in the creation of 30 jobs while retaining the existing 14 at the current location.
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Career Opportunities at UMBRAGROUP |
UMBRAGROUP is a cutting-edge manufacturing company in the aeronautics and industrial sectors. It is the world leader in the production of recirculating ballscrews in the aeronautics sector. UMBRAGROUP, moreover, has recently strengthened its position in the supply of products aimed at the energy market. UMBRA's subsidiary in Saginaw Thomson Aerospace & Defense is hiring including a Process Engineer, skilled trades and more!
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Recent Unemployment Rates |
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Area
Saginaw County
Michigan
United States
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May 2020
20.7%
21.3%
13.3%
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June 2020
14.5%
14.8%
11.1%
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July 2020
10.6%
8.7%
10.2%
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Source: Michigan DTMB, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) |
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Saginaw Future's Outstanding Investors! |
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$30,000+ Leadership Circle
Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation
$20,000+ Platinum Partner
$15,000+ Gold Partner
-MSA Ventures
$10,000 + Silver Partner
$5,000 + Bronze Partner
JoAnn Crary
DML Management
$2,500 + Ambassador
Frank N. Andersen Foundation
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Saginaw River Development
Sargent Docks/Saginaw Rock Products
William McNally Family Foundation
$1,000 + SFI Patron
Allen E. and Marie A. Nickless Memorial Foundation
Robert E. Stark & Martin H. Stark Foundation
The Straits Corporation
Wickson-Link Memorial Foundation
Wolohan Enterprises Inc.
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$100 + SFI Supporters
A.C. Klopf Inc.
ForceCo LLC
Jim and Beth (Bernthal) Reindel
PTAC Funding
Sponsors
In-Kind
Local Government Contracts
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Learn more about the "Saginaw Story" on our newly designed website that reflects our incredible community assets. Find data and information that will be useful for your project or business endeavor, including SizeUp. It is a new tool to help private sector, government, and non-profit organizations better serve their small business customers with the market research and business intelligence they need to succeed.
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Saginaw Future Inc. | 989-754-8222
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