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Saginaw, Michigan Receives High Honors From the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration

December 7, 2009
Contact: Lindsey Pangretic, (202) 482-4085

Saginaw Future, Inc., the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce Presented with Prestigious Award for Environmental Economic Development Efforts

Saginaw, Mich. - U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Senior Advisor and Director of Outreach Angela Martinez today presented the 2009 EDA Excellence in Economic Development Award for Environmental or Energy Economic Development to Saginaw Future, Inc., the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes a successful regional strategy that resulted in Saginaw County being selected for a Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation $1 billion investment to expand polycrystalline silicon production used for solar development.

"We are pleased to present Saginaw Future, Inc., the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce with the 2009 EDA Excellence in Economic Development Award for Environmental or Energy Economic Development," said John R. Fernandez, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. "By working closely together, these entities helped to secure an opportunity in Saginaw that will result in the creation of hundreds of green jobs and the growth of the regional economy through the advancement of solar manufacturing technology."

"These groups have worked together to successfully accelerate the development of solar energy manufacturing in this state, which is good news for Michigan," said U.S. Representative Dave Camp. "These are just the sort of job-creation and manufacturing efforts we need. They will ultimately help the economy, and I appreciate their work in bringing this boost to our area. This is a well-deserved award."

"This award represents the collaborative spirit we share in Saginaw County, the Great Lakes Bay Region and the State," said JoAnn Crary, President of Saginaw Future, Inc. "It also represents a great opportunity for solar development in the region with world class leadership from companies, such as Hemlock Semiconductor and Dow Corning."

Nominations are made annually in various categories and are evaluated by a Selection Panel appointed by the Assistant Commerce Secretary for Economic Development.

This year's categories included:

  • Excellence in Urban or Suburban Economic Development

  • Excellence in Rural Economic Development

  • Excellence in Environmental or Energy Economic Development

  • Excellence in University-led Economic Development

  • Excellence in Economic Diversification Strategies

  • Excellence in Community and Faith-based Social Entrepreneurship

  • Excellence in Historic Preservation-led Strategies.

  • EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster economic growth and job creation.

Its mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the global economy.

Additional information on how EDA investments are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed at: http://www.eda.gov.