SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) – State leaders are celebrating a major federal manufacturing investment in mid-Michigan.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Rep. Dan Kildee were in town discussing a proposed $325 million federal grant to help Hemlock Semiconductor build a new facility.
This will produce critical materials used in electronics and solar panels, expanding Hemlock Semiconductor’s already large market share.
The proposed project calls for building a new facility on Hemlock Semiconductor’s property in Thomas Township. This increases the company’s semiconductor-grade polysilicon production capacity here in Michigan.
“This is a project of great importance to the national security of the United States. And the government’s investment, the proposed investment in this project to produce semiconductor-grade polysilicon, is very important to us, to produce semiconductor-grade polysilicon right here in the United States.” “It shows the importance the U.S. government places on ensuring we have the supplies to do so,” senior Brooke Beebe said. Vice President of Advocacy and Engagement at Hemlock Semiconductor.
She is pleased that her company is proposed to receive up to $325 million in federal funding for new proposed projects under the CHIPS and Science Act.
Beebe was part of the group that brought Stabenow and Kildee to Hemlock Semiconductor. Both men said they have secured federal funding for the proposed project.
“This project is in its early stages. We did not expect to see production from this project until 2028,” Beebe said.
The Michigan Legislature has already approved $40 million for a proposed project that would bring 180 jobs to Mid-Michigan.
“They’re working to create the right things, the things that are important to our country right now, and bring these jobs back to our country,” said State Sen. Kevin Daley (R-26th District).
State Sen. Kirsten MacDonald said, “As we set this year’s budget, it is very important to me that, as always, my No. 1 goal is to ensure that we bring more good-paying jobs to our district. It was important.” Rivets (D-District 35).
As for Beebe, she said the next step is to have a conversation with the CHIPS program office.
“We will soon enter the due diligence stage and actually discuss the details of the project with the CPO. Our hope is to reach an agreement to receive full funding, but we are still in the process of “This is just the beginning,” she said.
$40 million in state funding for the proposed project comes from the Make It inmichigan Competitiveness Fund.
In addition to the 180 permanent jobs at the new facility, the project is expected to create thousands of construction jobs.
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