Nearly $60 Million Invested in Saginaw County; 10 Projects To Create Or Retain 250 Jobs
SAGINAW -- In the second quarter of 2012, Saginaw Future directly assisted 10 companies that invested nearly $60 million, creating and retaining nearly 250 jobs.
The projects were as follows:
Expansions
* Dow Corning invested more than $2.5 million at its healthcare industries materials site to purchase new equipment and make improvements to its plant. Established in 1963, HIMS employs approximately 175 people and will be adding one employee and retained 10 as a result of the project. Located on 328 acres in Thomas Township, the site is dedicated to supplying products to the healthcare industry.
* In fall 2011, General Motors announced a $215 million investment at its Saginaw Metal Casting Operations for production of future engine block and head casting work, creating or retaining about 275 jobs. GM later determined that an additional investment of $50 million is needed to rehabilitate existing floor space. The company requested that Saginaw establish a Plant Rehabilitation District and approve a real property tax abatement to support this additional investment.
* Faucher Dental Group recently merged with Great Lakes Family Dental to form the Great Lakes Family Dental Group in Saginaw. SFI assisted the Dental Group through the process of acquiring an adjacent parcel that will be used for additional parking and demolishing a blighted structure that was on the property. A new parking lot, renovations and the addition of new equipment is expected to be completed over the summer.
* Hi-Tech Steel Treating Inc. invested more than $280,000 for additional equipment and created two new jobs. The Saginaw-based company currently employs 80 employees with 53 of those being city residents. Established in 1984, Hi-Tech Steel provides heat treating services, is ISO 9001:2008 registered and has a second location in Tennessee.
* Kremin Inc. purchased nearly $300,000 in new equipment that helped expand its current customer base and led to hiring of 11 new employees. The company also just completed ISO 9001 and 13585 certification, a key quality step for entry into medical markets. SFI assisted Kremin with a tax incentive and entrance to the State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) program. The MEDC STEP program provides grant funds to companies trying to increase product exports.
* Morley Cos. Inc. purchased the AT&T complex in Saginaw Charter Township that was recently available due to AT&T's consolidation at its downtown Saginaw regional headquarters. A multi-million dollar investment in the facility is planned, along with hiring 150 more people, in addition to the jobs they are trying to fill right now. SFI assisted the company and the community with the establishment of an Industrial Development District in order to secure a local tax abatement. The MEDC had previously approved a MEGA incentive to support the project.
* Rifkin Scrap Iron & Metal Co. continues to grow at its new site at 1011 N. Washington Ave. in Saginaw. City Council approved a tax abatement to support investments of more than $3.4 million. Established in 1941, the metal recycler is steadily transitioning from its original location on 1445 N. Niagara St. to its new location. The redevelopment of the 14-acre parcel began in 2007 with an extensive contamination clean-up process.
Attractions
* Nexteer Automotive announced it has expanded its product portfolio into the alternative energy market. The company's first product, SunSteer, is a solar tracking actuator being built at the company's world headquarters in Saginaw. SunSteer is built in the United States, with more than 90 percent U.S. content and greater than 50 percent of its content produced in Michigan.
* Mapro Technologies is an engineering company headquartered in Spain that focuses on the design and manufacture of test equipment and assembly lines for the leading automotive component manufacturers (Tier 1) and other industrial sectors. SFI provided Mapro with site location assistance for its new regional office in Saginaw County.
* Night Flight Fireworks is a new business located on Dixie Highway in Bridgeport Charter Township. The company is a wholesaler, retailer and the area's first permanent fireworks store after the change to the Michigan's fireworks law. Night Flight provides wholesale products to pyrotechnic companies, which put on displays throughout the state. The company has 10 employees and all of its state sales tax goes to help firefighters pay for state-mandated training.
