New jobs are coming to a Midland company

MIDLAND (WJRT) -- (10/28/08)--New jobs are coming to a Midland company, and with them comes a new focus on alternative energy.

Tuesday Gov. Jennifer Granholm formally announced a low-interest state loan that will help Fulcrum Composites expand.

Right now Fulcrum Composites only has two full-time employees. But with the state loan and a new solar product, the company expects that number to expand to more than 130 in the near future.

Here's some background on the company: It was started in 2004, and is a spin-off of the Dow Chemical Company.

Fulcrum makes a number of products like thermoplastic tubes and rods. But within the last six months, the company started a new venture in making solar panels.

And it's those panels that helped Fulcrum secure the $425,000, 21st Century Job Fund loan from the state.

Fulcrum is just one of 17 Michigan businesses that was recently awarded a low-interest loan. Those funds are part of a plan by the governor to create new jobs in our state.

Before a crowd at Dow, Granholm spoke about how Fulcrum is helping diversify our state's economy by focusing on alternative energy.

Last week she said the Thumb Area was becoming the "Green Thumb," and the hub of wind energy.

Tuesday she spoke about how the Saginaw Valley is carving out it's niche as well. She says the latest proof of that is Fulcrum's solar panel that is three times as efficient as other panels on the market.

"Now that's a great thing for our state. This enhances the Saginaw Valley's reputation of becoming the next Silicon Valley for the solar industry," Granholm said.

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local, rebecca trylch

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