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2008's Great Economic News
by Lisa Diggs
It was so easy to get mired in the media's coverage of bad news in 2008, that much of the great economic news was missed by many people. Here are ten of our favorite developments from the past year.
Solar Panel Business Shines
With one of their biggest investments of all time, Dow Corning is investing $1.5 billion in its Saginaw County subsidiary, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation. The giant project is needed to meet rising demand for Hemlock's product, a substance called polycrystalline silicon that's used in solar panels and computer chips. In the short term the project has employs approximately 1,200 construction workers. Eventually it is expected to lead to jobs for some 500 direct or contract workers at the new facility.
Delta and Northwest Soar with Powerful Merger
While many struggling airlines have filed for bankruptcy, the merger of Delta and NWA gives Detroit’s Metropolitan Airport an opportunity to thrive as a hub. The blend of the companies, to be known eventually as Delta, will benefit greatly from joint operational costs. Because they had very few routes that overlapped, it’s a strong pairing. In fact, it is likely that Detroit will emerge as an even more powerful route for US-Asian travel.
Wood-to-Ethanol Plant Comes to U.P.
A new cellulosic ethanol plant in Michigan will be the first in the nation to produce ethanol from wood on a commercial scale. Massachusetts-based Mascoma Corporation plans to build near Sault Ste. Marie. MSU and Michigan Tech will collaborate with Mascoma to develop and optimize scientific processes for cellulosic ethanol production. The production of ethanol from wood chips minimizes oncerns about food being diverted to energy.
Michigan Makes Movie Magic
In April of this year, the Michigan legislature passed new film incentive laws that changed the landscape of filmmaking in Michigan. Two films were made in the state in 2007, compared to 18 in 2008, with many more slated for 2009. These productions are filling hotels with their crews, keeping caterers booked, buying local products & services, and creating new jobs.
Cereal City Sees New Investment
In addition to increased profits with three quarters of the year behind them, Kellogg’s announced that it is expanding its W.K. Kellogg Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (WKKI) located in Battle Creek. The 157,000-square- foot pilot plant and office space addition will expand Kellogg Company's existing global center for research and innovation activities. The plan includes a $40 million expansion and $14 million investment in pilot plant equipment over the next 10 years.
Walker Sweeps Up With Bissell
Bissell, Inc. one of the world's largest and oldest suppliers and manufacturers of floor-care products, including vacuums, announced plans to invest approximately $9 million in an expansion and the opening of an innovation center at its facility in Walker. The innovation center would be a centralized location for research and development related to Bissell's new and existing product lines. The project is expected to create 214 jobs, including 106 directly by the company.
Gerber Does Some Growing of Their Own
Gerber Products Co. announced it will invest $75 million over 10 years and create 200 jobs at its southwestern Michigan headquarters. Gerber currently employs 1,100 people in Freemont area and says it will add 200 employees over the next decade as it upgrades facilities and creates new production lines.
Solar Shines Next on Battle Creek
United Solar Ovonic (Uni-Solar) decided on Battle Creek for the site of its next manufacturing facility. The company is building a $220 million, 120-megawatt solar cell manufacturing plant, which is expected to be in production by the end of 2009. Once the facility reaches its full production capacity by 2012, it will employ 350 workers and be the company's fifth production facility in Michigan.
MSU Wins FRIB Bid
The Spartans won their bid to be home to the new Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, a cutting-edge research facility dedicated to advancing our understanding of rare isotopes and the evolution of the cosmos. The $550 million project is expected to secure MSU's status as a premiere physics facility, as well as bringing $1 billion in economic activity and 400 jobs to Michigan.
Significant Wind Power Arrives
The opening of the state’s second commercial wind turbine farm this year in Ubly is a sign of green changes blowing through the state. This park has 46 wind turbines and will generate enough clean energy to power approximately 20,000 homes. It is likely to be forerunner of many more, given that Michigan is ranked 14th in the nation for wind energy potential, and this year passed a renewable portfolio standard that requires utilities to generate 10 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2015.
User Comments (4)
It is refreshing to hear good news especially about our great state of Michigan. Thanks!
this site is a very good way of getting michigan back on its feet, however the companies that are on the list of michigan brands and products should have to hire only residents and usa citizens to produce, manufacture, and harvest their products.
Thanks Buy Michigan Now! Positive information is what we need to move forward. There are good things happening here in Michigan. Keep these updates coming.
It's great to read some positive activity going on in Michigan, we have a great state with wonderful people. Hopefully some of these projects will serve to keep some of our talented young people here and not head out for greener pastures! Keep up the good work of spreading positive news!
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