June 23, 2006
Hemlock Semiconductor, Carbone of America creating and retaining jobs
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today toured Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation (HSC) and Carbone of America in Bay City, two businesses that have chosen to locate and expand in Michigan.
“An excellent workforce and an excellent business climate has helped Hemlock Semiconductor and Carbone of American to stay, grow, and create jobs right here in Michigan,” said Granholm. “Attracting entrepreneurs and helping businesses flourish is a key component of my Jobs Today, Jobs Tomorrow plan to transform Michigan’s economy and create thousands of new jobs for our citizens.”
Granholm helped ensure that Hemlock Semiconductors chose to expand in Michigan rather than Kentucky, and announced job creation incentives from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority for the company in November 2004 and November 2005.
Just last month, the Hemlock Semiconductor expansion was named one of Site Selection magazine’s Top Ten North American Deals for 2005.
Hemlock Semiconductor is investing $327 million over the next 3 years, creating an additional 463 jobs. The ongoing expansion of Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation in Hemlock, near Midland, is a response to rapid growth in the solar energy industry over the last decade. The industry is anticipated to grow at a 20-25 percent rate over the next 10 years and already accounts for about 10 percent of all renewable energy produced.
Hemlock’s current two-phase, $327 million expansion will help consolidate the company’s position as the world’s largest supplier of components to the solar industry.
Carbone of America Ultra Carbon Division is expanding in Bay City. The company is investing $2.5 million to add approximately 12,500 square feet of space and create 10-15 new jobs. The expansion will include an addition to the company’s high-temperature coatings area, which produces graphite coatings for the electronics industry. The project also includes a separate “clean” building to be used for packaging and processing of electronic components.
Earlier this week Granholm celebrated two other Michigan companies that have chosen to locate and expand in Michigan:
AvTech, a Kalamazoo contract research firm for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, is investing more than $6.5 million to expand, creating 50 new jobs in Michigan; and Bell’s Brewery, which has grown from a home-brewing supply shop 20 years ago into a more than 60-person operation and one of the fastest growing micro-breweries in the Midwest.
“We have the nation’s most aggressive economic plan, and I’m working it every day to ensure that companies like Hemlock Semiconductor and Carbone of America find a competitive business environment and skilled workforce,” said Granholm.
“These are true success stories. I am honored to join with the Saginaw and Bay City communities to recognize their continued commitment to this community and our state,” Granholm said.
A key component of the Governor’s comprehensive economic plan is the 21st Century Jobs Fund that is helping grow hundreds of new high-tech companies in Michigan. The fund will allow the state of Michigan to invest more than $2 billion in emerging sectors that promise tremendous job growth – alternative energy, the life sciences, homeland security, and advanced manufacturing. This new investment will create thousands of jobs that won’t outsourced and that will give everyone the opportunity for a quality life in Michigan. This year, at least $100 million will be competitively awarded to commercialize new technology and bring exciting new products to market.
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