August 2025

Kremin Inc. Expanding in Frankenmuth

Kremin Inc., located in the Frankenmuth Business Park, is advancing with a significant expansion project valued at $1.15 million. Since undergoing an ownership and leadership transition in 2010, the company has strategically diversified its operations to focus on prototype and production contract manufacturing. Kremin is positioned to see continued growth, enabling the expansion of its manufacturing footprint. As part of this latest development, the company will create 6 new jobs while retaining its existing workforce of 34 employees.

South Water Street Redevelopment

on the Saginaw Riverfront

The redevelopment of the Water Street Brownfield site includes the construction of a 2,400 sq. ft. event center featuring both indoor and outdoor event spaces. Located within the Saginaw Downtown Development Authority (DDA), it is expected to further catalyze revitalization in the area and support surrounding initiatives, including the Saginaw Medical Diamond. The project will be supported through tax increment financing, allowing the developer to be reimbursed through captured tax revenues. Saginaw Future worked with the City of Saginaw and the DDA.

Hub Grant Supports Lazy Dog Pizza Project

Lazy Dog Pizza Inc., a woman-owned business, is currently relocating and renovating the space at the former Frankenmuth Farmers Market. As part of this strategic move, the company is committing an estimated $2.2 to $2.4 million toward the renovation and expansion of its restaurant. These improvements will enhance both customer experience and operational efficiency. The awarded grant is being used to support key infrastructure upgrades, including the acquisition of new software systems and the purchase of modern equipment for the dining areas. SFI assisted in connecting the Frankenmuth DDA with the grant opportunity.

Abele Greenhouse & Garden Center

to Host Weddings & Events

Abele Greenhouse is expanding its operations to include wedding and event hosting, building on the success of its initial events held in 2024 and spring 2025. The project is expected to result in the hiring of 2–3 part-time staff and 1 full-time event coordinator. The project was awarded a $20,000 hub grant to support the owner's investment of $25,000 for the event planning equipment. SFI played a key role in connecting Abele Greenhouse to the grant opportunity during a Buena Vista Business Alliance meeting and provided feedback on the business’s draft application.

MKR Fabricators Creating New Jobs

MKR Fabricators is a full-service fabrication and machining company, providing service to the aerospace, defense, automotive, chemical, and agricultural processing industries. MKR anticipates this investment into automation will provide opportunities to produce new products, insource outside work, reduce cost, and advance integration of automation into the manufacturing system.

Clearbrooke Enterprises Grows

in Tittabawassee Township

Clearbrooke Enterprises, headquartered in Tittabawassee Township, is a woman-owned, Michigan-based lab-to-label contract manufacturer serving personal care and household cleaning brands, operating from an FDA, EPA, and Halal-certified facility. Clearbrooke is expanding its manufacturing footprint by 10,000 sq. ft. and received a hub grant that will support the company’s investment in raw materials and equipment. The expansion is expected to generate approximately $1.6 million in annual revenue, while the company’s production is on track to increase by 600% compared to last year.

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 10 companies that won 44 government contracts valued at more than $7.3 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.

Saginaw Soup is a Resource for Entrepreneurs

Saginaw Soup is a collaboration of local partners in Saginaw County dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, Saginaw Soup can connect you with valuable resources, help you build community support, and even compete for funding. Stay connected with the latest from Saginaw Soup and mark your calendar for the next Pitch Competition—taking place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the SVRC Marketplace.

Saginaw Soup partners include:

Central Michigan University Research Corporation
Michigan Small Business Development Center
City of Saginaw
Saginaw Downtown Development Authority
Saginaw Economic Development Corporation
Saginaw Future Inc.

We’ve officially launched 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. We’re 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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Consumers Energy Infrastructure Investments Power Growth and Energize Communities

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest provider of safe and reliable energy, announced that its continued support for regional economic development is not only helping attract and retain businesses - it’s also enhancing the reliability of the local electric grid benefitting all customers.

Through strategic investments in grid modernization, substation upgrades and system resilience, Consumers Energy supports infrastructure planning and regional growth. These improvements are designed to meet the increased energy demands of expanding industrial parks, commercial developments and residential communities, while ensuring affordability and consistent, high-quality service for all current customers.

"As we work with local partners and development agencies to bring jobs and investment to the region, we are also proactively building a smarter, more reliable energy grid,” said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s SVP and president of electric distribution. "Reliable power is essential for businesses to operate and grow."

Across the state, in major metropolitan areas like Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Flint and Saginaw, Consumers Energy’s efforts to support the construction of new facilities and businesses have resulted in upgrades including new substations and the movement of overhead power lines underground.

Key outcomes of initiatives include:

Expanded substation capacity to support future development
Enhanced service reliability for local customers
Improvements to local infrastructure

The company's strategy reflects a long-term vision: as communities grow, the energy infrastructure evolves, ensuring efficiency and reliability for both new and existing customers. Consumers Energy is committed to building a future where people in Michigan can achieve personal success, helping the business community prosper and creating a better tomorrow for the next generation.

"Our commitment goes beyond delivering electricity - we're helping Michigan thrive,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s SVP and chief customer & growth officer. “These partnerships with communities and businesses ensure our state remains competitive and resilient for decades to come. The best part is that as we support growth, our existing customers benefit, and we get to deliver new, more affordable, and more reliable service.”

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, flexible, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

Good News in the Great Lakes Bay Region 5

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.

In partnership with Site Selection and on behalf of the State of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is proud to present the Michigan Economic Development Guide. Great Lakes Bay Region 5 was also included with a full page promoting the academic and talent advantages in Region 5. This issue highlights the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy, which focuses on supporting People, Places, and Projects to drive economic growth throughout the state.