Corning’s clean energy investment recognized in Business Facilities’ 2024 Impact Awards

Corning’s $900 million manufacturing facility in Saginaw County was acknowledged in the Clean Energy Manufacturing category, highlighting Michigan’s leadership in clean energy solutions

As the State of Michigan and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) continue to be leaders in clean energy solutions and project attraction, one of the top investments from the past year has been recognized in the Clean Energy Manufacturing category of Business Facilities’ 2024 Impact Awards.

Announced this week as part of the publication’s annual Deal of the Year awards, Corning’s $900 million investment to construct a new manufacturing facility for solar components in Saginaw County was acknowledged alongside the MEDC, Consumers Energy and Saginaw Future. The Make It in Michigan holistic strategy, which focuses on people, places and projects, exemplifies the outstanding community benefits recognized by Business Facilities’ Impact Awards. By winning projects that have a transformative effect in the area where they’re located, Michigan demonstrates a clear understanding of how economic growth can positively impact its residents, businesses and the communities they call home.

This is the third year in a row that Michigan has been recognized by Business Facilities with an Impact Award in the clean and green energy space. In 2024, Nel Hydrogen received the award in the Hydrogen Energy category for its nearly $400 million investment to build an automated gigafactory for the production of electrolyzer technology for green hydrogen production; in 2023, General Motors won an Impact Award in the EV category for a historic $7 billion investment to grow the state’s electric vehicle (EV) and advanced battery manufacturing.

“We’re thrilled that Corning’s investment has been recognized in Business Facilities’ Impact Awards,” said MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. “This project exemplifies Team Michigan’s commitment to earning private investment that adds to our tax base and supports the state’s ‘MI Healthy Climate Plan.’ Corning’s investment in Michigan is another example of the ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy focused on People, Places and Projects delivering results for Michiganders. While we celebrate this win to kick off a new year, work remains for Team Michigan, and we are working harder daily to demonstrate the compatibility of a commercially viable and clean energy future for all Michiganders.”

Corning chose Michigan for the project over competing sites in the Midwest and Northeast thanks to the state’s talent pool and commitment to onshore critical clean energy supply chains. In February 2024, the Michigan Strategic Fund board supported the project with a $68 million Critical Industries Program performance-based grant and approval of a 15-year State Essential Services Assessment exemption valued at $12.3 million. In addition, $29 million was awarded to Thomas township for public infrastructure, road improvements and related expenses through the Strategic Site Readiness Program performance-based grant, which supports businesses that want to build or expand on a certain site.

“We are grateful for the strong leadership, collaboration and support from Governor Whitmer, the Michigan Legislature and the State of Michigan,” said Scott Forester, Corning division vice president and program executive, Solar, at the time of the announcement. “These approved incentives helped confirm Michigan as the natural choice for this new endeavor. The planned new facility will create thousands of local jobs and advance the goal of expanding access to U.S. renewable energy solutions.” 

Michigan’s Clean Energy Leadership

Michigan is a proven clean energy leader, from attracting investments and creating jobs to legislation. The 2024 Clean Jobs America Report from E2, based on an analysis of the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2024 Energy and Employment Report (USEER), shows Michigan continues to lead the race for clean energy jobs. According to the report, Michigan is home to 127,690 clean energy jobs, outpacing 44 states’ job numbers, with clean energy jobs continuing to grow nearly twice as fast as economy-wide employment. The 2024 EER report also highlighted Michigan’s position as a leader in overall energy sector job growth, behind only Texas and California.

In August 2024, LuxWall and UL Solutions celebrated the opening of their high-tech facilities in Litchfield and Auburn Hills respectively, helping to create jobs and advance innovation in energy-efficient glass and battery testing. These investments highlight the success of the state's strategy to attract high-tech, sustainable industries and create opportunities for everyone to “Make It” in Michigan.

And in September 2024, the MEDC worked in conjunction with MIT Technology Review Insights on a national survey and report to show how senior U.S. executives are planning for climate change. Executives highlighted the availability of climate-planning programs and access to natural resources as a top criterion when making relocation decisions, with many selecting the Midwest as the least exposed region of the country.

Thanks to the state’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, abundant natural resources and attractive business climate for clean energy investments, Michigan is positioning itself as a leader in the industry.

Learn More

Full coverage of the 2024 Deal of the Year and 2024 Impact Awards will be featured in the January/February 2025 issue of Business Facilities.

Learn more about how Michigan is a national leader in clean energy investments and initiatives.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.