Solar company wants to build facility in Saginaw County

SAGINAW COUNTY (WJRT) -- (10/06/09)--t's a huge investment for Mid-Michigan. A Georgia solar manufacturing company wants to build a new facility in Saginaw County.

The major announcement was made Tuesday in Lansing by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Suniva promises to bring hundreds of jobs to the area over the next five years. The energy park would be built near the corner of M-52 and M-46 in Thomas Township.

The intersection is also known as Graham and Gratiot Roads. Michigan fought hard against Texas and Georgia to get this facility. Suniva's CEO says the region's enthusiasm for solar energy was key.

Matt Tompkins is an electrical engineering student at Saginaw Valley State University. A troubled economy led him to believe he would have to look for work outside Michigan -- until now.

"I'd love to stay in Michigan first off," he said. "In the area would be great."

Georgia-based Suniva could make it possible for students like Matt to find a career in state. The solar company has plans to invest $250 million in Thomas Township at the corner of M-52 and M-46.

Township Manager Russ Taylor says this has been the region's vision all along.

Suniva plans to construct production lines of its ARTisun solar cells, promising to create 500 jobs.

At full capacity, they estimate the project will produce solar cells with enough power to generate electricity for 100,000 households.

Suniva adds to a five-year total of more than $2.75 billion invested in solar businesses in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

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