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Saginaw Future holds 18th Annual Business Meeting: New opportunities and job-creating expansions for Saginaw County

Over 400 business and community leaders attended Saginaw Future's (SF) 18th Annual Business Meeting at the Horizon's Conference Center, Friday, February 19. The meeting was hosted by WNEM TV5's Sam Merrill and Katie O'Mara, and honored 20 economic development projects in Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region. The Economic Excellence Awards were presented in recognition of nearly $855 million in investment contributions.

Throughout 2009, SF assisted community businesses with expansion projects, and focused on attracting new companies that chose to innovate and dream GREEN. dream GREEN is this year’s theme, which refers to the green technology and renewable energy projects being developed in Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Last year brought the Great Lakes Bay Region new opportunities in clean technology, such as solar, batteries and wind energy. There were also gains in professional and hi-tech services, advanced manufacturing and agribusiness, as well as continued support for the auto industry. These projects are expected to create over 2,500 new jobs, and also retain over 2,500 jobs for the area.

“We are starting to see an economic shift to more innovative products and services, along with renewable energy development in Saginaw County and the region,” said Bill Huss, 2009 chairman of the Saginaw Future Board of Directors. “The sheer number of jobs created and retained in these related industries is proof of that, along with State and national recognition.”

There are plans to implement four innovation and renewable energy-related projects that will have a significant impact on our local economy:

Morley Companies, Inc. will initially add 650 jobs with 700 more to come. The company expanded its data collection and market research capabilities.

GlobalWatt will locate its 500-job, $177 million solar module production facility in the City of Saginaw. 700 more jobs are expected to be created over the next five years. GlobalWatt could have located anywhere in the U.S., but one reason they chose Saginaw is because there's a ready and able, skilled workforce in Mid-Michigan.

Nexteer Automotive plans to invest $400 million in its Buena Vista Charter Township operations, which will include job retention, information technology, manufacturing equipment, and retaining the global headquarters.

Georgia-based Suniva Inc. plans to invest $250 million in a new solar cell manufacturing facility in Saginaw County’s Thomas Township. It is projected that Suniva will create 500 new jobs over the next five years, subject to receiving a loan guarantee from the Department of Energy.

Saginaw Future President JoAnn Crary stated, “We believe that Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region have stepped forward as a leader in renewable energy and innovation. These efforts have led to multi-million dollar investments and thousands of jobs created and retained for our region.”

Nexteer Automotive President Bob Remenar was the Saginaw Future Annual Business Meeting featured speaker, summarizing Nexteer's growth opportunities in Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region. Remenar joined GM in 1985, served as president of the former Delphi Steering Division, was a Delphi Corp. vice president and member of its strategy board, and has held various executive roles with GM and Delphi. He assumed his position as president of Nexteer Automotive in October 2009.

With over 60 customers globally, Nexteer Automotive is a leader in steering and driveline systems, Saginaw being the center for technology and innovation. Their mission is to create a sustainable, long-term manufacturing site, one job at a time.

Saginaw Future (SF) was established in 1992, and is a public-private alliance of local businesses. This includes Saginaw County, the City of Saginaw, 16 local municipalities, and the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. Other strategic partners include education, labor and government. SF is dedicated to promoting quality job creation through expansion of local industry, and the attraction of new business projects to the community. For more information about Saginaw Future, visit their website at www.saginawfuture.com.

 

 

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