Result:  GlobalWatt, a multi-million dollar solar technology company, is projected to spend $177M and bring 500 jobs to Saginaw, Michigan.

Kathy Mussio, Managing Partner of Atlas Insight, LLC (a site location consultancy firm) had been looking for an existing facility and was late in the site search process having identified buildings in other states. Kathy had heard that Saginaw Future was part of a regional effort to attract companies in the solar energy value chain to Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Area. 

Within minutes of using MIGreatLakesBaySites.com, Ms. Mussio was able to bring up and identify two buildings that would work – one of which turned out to be ideal for the company.

The project needed to come together quickly as speed to market was an important factor. After pre-qualifying the community and sites on the website the CEO and site consultants visited the community during the weekend, toured the building and met with area leaders in the solar industry.  They were impressed with the depth of solar expertise, research and manufacturing already in the Great Lakes Bay Region, lead by Dow Corning, Dow Chemical and Hemlock Semiconductor.

In December, 2009, GlobalWatt, announced that was is executing a phased plan to build and operate 500+ mega-watts of solar module manufacturing capacity as well as a robust systems design and install business in Saginaw, MI.  Its goal is to create the largest US module manufacturing company with true “made in the USA” products.

“GlobalWatt, a new solar module producer, was seeking a production facility to launch its new products quickly into the marketplace,” said JoAnn Crary, president of Saginaw Future – the economic development organization for Saginaw County, MI, USA. “GlobalWatt evaluated sites and found its Saginaw location in one working day utilizing www.MiGreatLakesBaySites.com – an online property database created by GIS Planning.”