October 2022
 Saginaw Public Schools District is Purchasing
the Saginaw County Mosquito Control property
The Saginaw Public Schools District is purchasing the Saginaw County Mosquito Control property and transferring the former Buena Vista administration buildings and adjacent 26 acres (total of 30 acres) to meet current and future Mosquito Abatement Commission operation (needs). Saginaw County is planning to relocate on or about March 31, 2024. The purchase agreement with the Schools District is still being finalized. The County has engaged William A. Kibbe & Associates to evaluate the possibility of renovating existing facilities and/or constructing new. Total investment is estimated to between $7 and $7.5 million when completed. Saginaw Future worked with the Saginaw County Controller/CAO to identify an appropriate site for the relocation of the facility.
Michigan Brand Expands Again in the City of Frankenmuth
Michigan Brand is a processor of specialty meats, hams, sausage and jerky. The City of Frankenmuth location produces multiple shelf stable products using beef, pork, chicken, turkey and wild games such as venison, gator, kangaroo, ostrich and wild board. The company recently completed two its facility. The north addition is a new cooler/freezer and an additional packaging room was constructed at the south end of the property. A total of 8,247 sq. ft. was added with an investment of nearly $2.5 million with 10 jobs to be created. SFI assisted the company and City with a tax incentive application.
Mistequay Group Purchased by Textron Aviation
Mistequay Group Ltd and its facilities in the City of Saginaw, Michigan and Monroe, Washington were acquired by Textron Aviation. Mistequay is a supplier of precision components for aerospace and defense manufacturers, specializing in ball screw assemblies, gear systems, and actuator components. The new company will operate as AeroMotion by Textron Aviation. The acquisition will allow Textron Aviation to increase its internal productivity for the OEM’s aircraft series. The company recently invested over $1 million in manufacturing equipment, will retain all current employees, and looks to continue to add positions in Saginaw County.
Essex Energy Growing in Saginaw
Essex Energy is a City of Saginaw, minority and woman-owned business that started in March 2021 providing utility construction services, including distribution and maintenance for overhead/underground utility lines, and emergency storm restoration. SFI provided the company assistance with minority and women owned business certification, financing, contracting opportunities, and site location. The total investment is approximately $518,000 with the creation of 15 jobs.
Fuerbringer School Soon to Become Assisted Living Center
Saginaw House will be a fully licensed Assisted Living/Memory Care Veteran Board and Care Facility. The former Fuerbringer School will be renovated to house 42 residents. The development will meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and amenities include; health care services, a welcoming entrance, private studio apartments and additional private spaces for gathering. Plans call for the installation of a new elevator, updated kitchen equipment, building security, HVAC upgrades, secured outdoor patio space and more. The total renovation budget is approximately $1 million and will result in the creation of 26 jobs. SFI assisted the developer in rezoning the property to allow for the proposed use, as well as with an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) tax exemption.
Photo courtesy of WSGW.
Gibbs Music Studio Moves to Dixie Hwy.
Gibbs Music Studio expanded out of a home business to a commercial location at 6215 Dixie Hwy. in Bridgeport Charter Township.

Suzanne Gibbs brings over 20 years of music education experience to offer private lessons for musicians of all ages. The business began in 2021 and has been steadily growing.

In May 2022, Gibbs went through the Saginaw Soup process and won second place at the pitch competition. She leveraged the funds received and relocated the business into a larger space. The total investment is approximately $1,000 and will result in the creation of two jobs.
Old Town Distillery Expands
The Old Town Distillery expanded in Old Town Saginaw after originally opening in 2014 to offer hand crafted spirits made in-house. The owner purchased the adjacent building to allow for the of a full service kitchen and additional seating capacity. The project also included the installation of new windows and signage, as well as interior finishes. The newly expanded venue offers seating capacity of 180 and the ability to host large and small events. Open since June, the expansion resulted in an investment of $75,000 and created four jobs. SFI assisted the business with a façade grant from the Saginaw DDA, as well as with guidance through the Historic District Commission approval process.
New Bar Restaurant Coffee Shop for Carrollton
Dupuis Corner Food & Spirits is a new bar/restaurant/coffee shop in Carrollton Township and is scheduled to open in 2023. The Dupuises are Carrollton natives who own a coffee shop/restaurant in the Village of Birch Run. They acted on the opportunity to bring a new restaurant to Carrollton when the former Carrollton Bar became available. They plan to add a full service kitchen, which will serve wood-fired pizza and a wide array of coffee drinks. SFI assisted the business owners with identifying financing opportunities including the Huntington Bank’s Lift Local Business Program, which provided $150,000 for renovations, equipment and inventory. The total investment will be approximately $250,000 and result in six new jobs.
Elite Cannabis Expands in Saginaw
Elite Cannabis will be a new cannabis retail store located at 2350 S. Michigan Ave. in the City of Saginaw. NH Ventures has secured funding to expand the projects original scope, bringing additional investment and jobs to Saginaw. The former Rog’s Bar and adjoining building will be renovated to house the new business with plans to open later this year. The company has three locations in Michigan and this will be the first of two planned for the City of Saginaw. The project includes major interior and exterior improvements to transform these properties, resulting in a $3 million investment and 20 new jobs. Saginaw Future assisted the project through the planning and zoning process.
Millions in Government Contracting
Saginaw Future Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) assists businesses in identifying and securing government contracts. In the second quarter, the PTAC assisted 26 regional companies that won 188 government contracts valued at more than $5 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 into this market. We can help your business acquire federal and state government contracts.
Saginaw Future President Receives International Leadership Award
JoAnn Crary, CEcD, FM, HLM, President and CEO of Saginaw Future has been awarded the Jeffrey A. Finkle Organizational Leadership Award. This award recognizes the continuous leadership of an EDO with integrity, tenacity, & a philanthropic spirit for at least 15 years.
Coming Home Hiring Event is Coming Soon - Register Today
Looking for an awesome career in the Saginaw County or Great Lakes Bay Region? Discover your opportunity to connect with world class employers from the region and learn more about what makes this region a wonderful place to call home. Join us October 7th, 3-5 pm at the Courtyard Marriott at Central Michigan University to discover your next career move.

Our Coming Home event will feature more than 20 regional employers from high-demand industries with operations in Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella and Saginaw counties. This year’s event will particularly focus on amazing opportunities in engineering, healthcare, education and business operations.
Delta College Workforce Training
Delta College Partners with Google to Offer Computer Science Certificates - Delta will offer these non-credit certificates FREE to adult and working students in an effort to provide much-needed access for students who are interested in upskilling their computer science knowledge and gaining credentials desired in the industry. These programs are 100% online, self-paced with guided instruction.

Technical Training Award - Earlier this year, when Going Pro Talent Fund offered a unique opportunity for training, Delta jumped into action assisting with an industry led collaborative with multiple manufacturing business. Delta was able to help regional employers secure over $200,000 in state funding resources for technical training.

Skilled Employees Hard to Find - Any individual 18 years of age or older with a GED/high school diploma can take this training and be ready to hit the ground running with a forklift certification, OSHA safety card and certificate of completion from Delta College. Roles start at $16 per hour on average and funding for training may be available for those who qualify. Applications now are available for  Fast Start™ Training Programs - Delta College 
Data Resources
Saginaw Future's Outstanding Investors!
Explore Our 2021 Annual Report
Saginaw Future Annual Report
Celebrate Saginaw Video