Downriver Today

Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) has broken ground on an expansion project in Thomas Township, Michigan.

Federal, state, and local leaders joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) and company officials for the groundbreaking ceremony for what is expected to be a $375 million investment, according to an Oct. 21 news release from the governor’s office.

“After visiting Hemlock’s facility in August, I know the projects announced today will be transformational for the local economy, the region’s critical infrastructure, and our state’s manufacturing industry,” Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), said in the release. “I’m proud to have worked to pass several pieces of historic legislation to invest in domestic semiconductor manufacturing that will help benefit HSC, and I’m grateful to Governor Whitmer for helping to secure this investment and ensuring that Michigan was chosen over the other states that were considered.”

The project is expected to bring 170 well-paying jobs to Saginaw County and advances Michigan’s objective of being a leader in the semiconductor supply chain, the release stated.

“Michigan is becoming a global hub of semiconductor chip manufacturing and we will continue bringing these critical supply chains home so we can create jobs, bring billions in investment to our communities, and lead the future,” Whitmer said. “Hemlock Semiconductor, a Michigan-made company whose hyper-pure polysilicon is found in nearly all electronic devices in the world, is betting on Michigan once again, expanding their presence in Thomas Township with a planned investment of up to $375 million creating 170 jobs.”

Whitmer added that the project was led by bipartisan economic development and state-supported improvements of critical public infrastructure.

“Our investment simply would not be possible without the strong support of federal, state and local government leaders,” said HSC Chairman and CEO, AB Ghosh. “We couldn’t ask for more effective advocates who clearly understand the critical role our cutting-edge technologies will play in building out a robust domestic supply chain for semiconductors and in strengthening HSC’s competitive position on a global scale.”