August 2024

Saginaw Future Announces New President

Effective January 1, 2025

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Tom Miller, Jr. as Saginaw Future’s next President and CEO, effective January 1, 2025. With over 20 years of economic development experience, Tom joined SFI in 2004 as Assistant Economic Developer and has been promoted multiple times, with his current position as Executive Vice President.

Tom Miller, Jr. has a deep commitment to Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region and serves on several significant boards including MBS Airport Commission, Saginaw Community Foundation, Co-chair of the Saginaw Medical Diamond, SEDC Board and CAC Executive Committee. Tom will serve as SFI’s third President/CEO since its inception in 1992, and will immediately follow the retirement of JoAnn Crary, who has served in this position since 1993.

Massive Bavarian Inn Lodge Project

Saginaw Future Inc. (SFI) continues to work with Michael Keller Zehnder and the Bavarian Inn Lodge (BIL) on the expansion of its indoor waterpark. The project includes more than 100,000 sq. ft. of waterpark space and more than 45,000 sq. ft. of Family Entertainment Center Space. Since the original project was announced, an additional $10 million in capital investment and an additional 10,000 sq. ft. have been added. Some of the features include a three-story rope course with three 26-foot climbing walls, indoor/outdoor adult only pool with a swim up bar. It also includes six new slides with one that offers a “family raft” for six to eight people. Mr. Zehnder recently shared the BIL’s future vision and site plan, including development of a hotel/condo/campground mixed use project, banquet chapel, one & two bedroom condos and other developments.

EduPlay Receives Funding for Training

EduPlay Discovery Center was founded on a mission to cultivate and nurture young minds by educating children through play. EduPlay has two childcare centers with the first being located at 518 N. Franklin St. in the City of Frankenmuth. The EduPlay Discovery Center North is the new childcare center that opened last year at 385 E. Morley Drive in Buena Vista Charter Township near Nexteer Automotive. EduPlay recently received a Going PRO Talent Fund award for nearly $33,000 to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! and SFI work very closely with the company, which provides a much-needed service to the community. SFI and EduPlay representatives serve together on the Michigan Childcare Coalition.

Facade Grant for the Japanese Cultural Center, Tea House & Gardens of Saginaw

The Japanese Cultural Center, Tea House & Gardens of Saginaw is repairing signage on S. Washington Ave. in the City of Saginaw that will enhance its legibility, aesthetics, and visibility to traffic. Constructed in 1971, the main entry of the Japanese Cultural Center also opens up to the Tokushima Saginaw Friendship Garden, constructed jointly between the sister-cities of Tokushima, Japan, and Saginaw. Updates will support the renewal of ten post and beams that have decayed and need replacement. The total cost of the project is $9,400. SFI assisted the organization with a $2,350 DDA façade improvement grant.

New Signage for Saginaw Art Museum & Gardens

TempleArts recently rebranded the Saginaw Art Museum to Saginaw Art Museum & Gardens and the organization will update the front exterior of the museum with new signage. Part of the project will include window signage that will make people aware of the historic garden located on the grounds of the museum. Additionally, the south corner of the Saginaw Art Museum & Gardens façade will receive wrap-around signage that will market to individuals traveling along W. Remington St. and a section of its digital sign will be replaced. TempleArts anticipates that its new signage will better identify its building to over 100,000 people annually. The cost of this project totals just over $5,800 and SFI assisted with a $1,450 DDA façade improvement grant.

Major Renovations at A.C. Klopf Inc.

A.C. Klopf Inc. started a renovation project that will include the installation of new materials and updates improving the building’s façade, curb appeal, and the surrounding area. The company, located at 524 S. Franklin St. in the City of Saginaw, provides heating and air conditioning services. Building improvements will include new metal signing, new store front windows, new entrance door, new signage awnings, exterior lighting, and painting, along with a host of efficiency and structural updates. The capital investment totals over $265,000. SFI assisted the business with a $10,000 DDA façade improvement grant.

Training and Contracts for UmbraGroup

UmbraGroup, located in the City of Saginaw, produces ball screws, high precision mechanical and mechatronic components for the aerospace market. Saginaw Future’s APEX staff has worked extensively with the company for many years and helped to secure six new contracts totaling $384,504. Saginaw Future also worked with its partners at Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! to secure a Going PRO Talent Fund award for the company to train eight employees.

MAHAR Awarded Training Funds

MAHAR has been in business over 70 years and specializes in maintenance, repair, and operations, tooling, gaging and inventory management. The woman owned business is located at 112 Williams St. in the City of Saginaw and provides services to the medical, automotive, aerospace, defense, woodworking, construction and marine manufacturing industries. MAHAR received a Going PRO Talent Fund Award in the amount of $18,180 for training.

Obesity & Wellness Center Coming to Saginaw County

The Obesity Medicine & Metabolic Wellness Center is one of the leaders in obesity medicine and the leading clinic in the Great Lakes Bay Region for specialized prevention and treatment of obesity.

The company recently announced plans to open its first clinic in Saginaw County located at 33 White Tail Creek Road in Saginaw Charter Township.

APEX Government Contracting Opportunities

The Region 5 Saginaw Future APEX Accelerator assists businesses in identifying and securing government contracts. In the first quarter, the APEX assisted 21 companies that won 135 government contracts valued at nearly $7.8 million.

The federal government is a multibillion-dollar purchaser of goods and services. States and local governments are also major purchasers of products and services. The APEX can help you understand and take advantage of government contracting opportunities for NO FEE.

Wallace Scones Coming to Frankenmuth

Wallace Scones produces frozen scones that you can bake at home and utilizes Michigan sourced ingredients. The company has multiple locations throughout the state and will add a 1,000 square foot site at 154 S. Main St. in the City of Frankenmuth. Saginaw Future provided site location assistance and works closely with the building owner. Lazy Dog Pizza previously occupied the location and will be moving to the former Farmers Market, which was purchased by a Frankenmuth developer.

Fullerton Tool Receives Industry 4.0 Grant

Fullerton Tool Company, a third-generation manufacturing company with locations in the City of Saginaw and Thomas Township, produces a comprehensive range of products, including high-quality end mills, drills, reamers, burrs, saws, keyseat cutters, and custom tooling, designed to meet the diverse demands of various industries. The company was successful in obtaining an Industry 4.0 grant. The grant will pay for a machine monitoring software program that delivers real-time data on the efficiency of each machine on their shop floor. This program will allow the company to track productivity and optimize its business operations. Contact the Great Lakes Bay Manufacturers Association for more information on the grant.

New Location for Binkelman Corp.

New Saginaw Future Inc. Board of Directors Member

Eugene Seals, Jr. has been appointed to the Saginaw Future Inc. Board of Directors replacing long time Chamber executive Vernica Horn. He is also the new President/CEO of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. Previously, Seals has held the position of Saginaw County Chamber Director of Membership and Sponsorship Sales as well as Director of the Chamber’s Momentum Minority and Women-owned Business and Mentorship Program. He is in year two of the four-year U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management.

Region 5 Highlighted in Business Facilities Magazine

Great Lakes Bay Region 5 is an economic development partnership that covers Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw Counties. The county-wide and multi-countywide economic development organizations collaborate on talent attraction and retention, site location, asset development, business attraction and more. Our Great Lakes Bay Region 5 and Nexteer Automotive were featured in Business Facilities Magazine, which is a leading full-service media brand specializing in the site selection marketplace. Region 5 was also highlighted in multiple digital platforms. The partnership has developed and produced a variety of materials to market our region to advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, and healthcare industries.

Save the Dates

Two Coming Home Hiring Events

There are two Coming Home hiring events taking place in October, so please save the dates and share this information if applicable.

Coming Home East Michigan – October 24, 2024; 3-5pm; Pierce Road & Grill; Saginaw
Coming Home Middle Michigan – October 11, 2024; 3-5pm, Courtyard by Marriott; Mount Pleasant

It is not a job fair, but it is an event purposefully created to connect Region 5 employers with career-seekers who previously lived in the Great Lakes Bay Region, but have moved away and soon to graduate job seekers. It is an event dedicated to giving attendees good reasons to "come home", because of our high-quality careers and our high quality of life. Past events have resulted in many hires!

Great Lakes Bay Region 5 Good News

Great Lakes Bay Region 5 is an economic development partnership that covers Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw Counties.

The county-wide and multi-countywide economic development organizations collaborate on talent attraction and retention, site location, asset development, business attraction and more. Below are recent regional good news stories and information.