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Saginaw County is located in the central portion of the lower peninsula, adjacent to both the agricultural and industrial centers of the state. Manufacturing, especially auto related, is important to the county's economy, as are all phases of agricultural production. Auto manufacturing dominates the city of Saginaw, which is surrounded by farmlands whose output of sugar beets, dry beans, corn, wheat, oats, and soybean is among the highest in the state. Agriculture accounts for approximately 64% of the county's land use. Manufacturing includes bakery and chemical equipment, silicon, graphite, plastic, and metal products. Sugar, meat products, flour, and beer are also produced in the county. The medical service industry and medical facilities are also expanding rapidly in Saginaw County.

General Data

DISTANCE	MILES	KM
Chicago	320	514
Cleveland	270	434
Detroit	100	160
Indianapolis	340	547
Lansing	70	112

YEARS	POPULATION
1970	219,743
1980	228,059
1990	211,946
2000	210,039
Source:Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data, 2000

WORKFORCE
LABOR	2000
Total Workforce	102,400
Number Employed	98,125
Number Unemployed	4,250
Unemployment Rate	4.2
Source:Michigan Employment Service Agency, 2000

CHARACTERISTICS OF LABOR FORCE
LABOR	1990
Workers 16 years and over	85,480
Percentage who work outside of county	14.7%
Percentage who work at home	2.2%
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 1990

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENTS
CLASSIFACTION	1990
Persons 25 years of age or older	131,154
Percentage with high school diploma	74.8%
Percentage with bachelor's degree	12.97%
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 1990

TRANSPORTATION
ACCESS TO MARKETS
Main Highways	I-75, I-675, US-10, US-23, M-13, M-15, M-18, M-20, M-25, M-30, M-46, M-47, M-84, M-54, M-83, M-52, M-58, M-57, M-81
Bus Lines	Greyhound, Bay Metro Transit, Midland Transit, Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services (STARS)
Truck Lines	Over 50 truck lines in region providing statewide, national, and international hauling services
Rail Lines	Central Michigan, Tuscola & Saginaw Bay, Huron & Eastern, Mid-Michigan, CSX, Saginaw Valley Railroad
Ports	Bay City (15 mi-Lake Huron), Over 30 port facilities along Saginaw River 10-25 ft. depth range
Airports	MBS International Airport, Harry W. Browne International Airport
Airlines	Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, US Air
Source: Local Economic Development Contact

Economy

EARNING LEVELS/LABOR RATES AVERAGE HOURLY RATES
CLASSIFICATION	MINIMUM*	MAXIMUM
Applications Software Specialist	7.00	16.25
Assembler - Light	4.50	8.50
Drafter (CAD)	6.00	15.75
Electrician - Industrial	7.75	16.50
Electronic Technician	6.50	12.25
Forklift Operator	5.00	9.75
General Office Clerk	4.50	9.50
General Laborer	4.75	8.50
Injection Molding Machinist	5.00	9.00
Machine Operator	5.25	10.25
Machinist	6.25	12.50
Mechanical Engineer	12.50	22.50
Production Manager/Supervisor	8.25	15.50
Quality Control Technician	7.50	12.25
Sales - Non-Technical	6.25	13.00
Secretary	5.00	11.75
Tool and Die Maker	8.25	17.00
Word Processor/Typist	4.75	10.50
Source: 1996 Survey of the Michigan Employment Security Commission
*This survey was done in 1996, before the hourly minimum wage was increased to $5.15 in September 1997.

PRINCIPLE EMPLOYERS
MANUFACTURING EMPLOYERS
SIC	FIRM	LOCATION	EMPLOYEES	PRODUCT
3714	Delphi/Saginaw Steering Systs	Saginaw	8,418	Automobile steering columns
3321	General Motors Corp/Powertrain	Saginaw	2,000	Grey iron cstngs & alum cyl hds
3714	General Motors Corp	Saginaw	1,800	Disc brake r assemblies
3322	General Motors Corp/Powertrain	Saginaw	1,300	Malleable iron castings
2063	Michigan Sugar Co	Saginaw	1,200	Sugar, dried beet pulp
3714	Eaton Corp	Saginaw	610	Vehicle motor parts, tools
3339	Hemlock Semiconductor Corp	Hemlock	475	Polycrystalline silicon
3444	Saginaw Control & Engineering	Saginaw	370	Elec cont panels, sheet mtl encl
2295	Duro-Last Inc	Saginaw	325	Roofing materials, walk pads
3452	Thomson Saginaw Ball Screw Co	Saginaw	315	Ball screw assemblies
2711	Saginaw News	Saginaw	280	Newspaper publishing
3549	Wright-K Technology Inc	Saginaw	275	Spec purp modular tools
3231	Hehr Intl Inc	Chesaning	226	Rec veh & marine alumwindows
2063	Michigan Sugar Co	Carrollton	205	Beet sugar & molasses
8331	Saginaw Valley Rehabilitation	Saginaw	200	Sheltered workshop
3465	Means Industries Inc	Saginaw	200	Auto stampings, subassemblies
3281	Dixie Cut Stone & Marble Inc	Bridgeport	200	Cut stone products
3545	Universal Microbore-Cushman	Frankenmuth	200	Machine tools, gauges, etc
3083	Dow Corning Corp	Hemlock	175	Silicone elastomer med tubing
2035	Vlasic Foods Inc	Bridgeport	175	Pickles & sauerkraut
Source: Harris Publishing Company, 1998 Industrial Directory

OTHER MAJOR EMPLOYERS
SIC	FIRM	LOCATION	EMPLOYEES	PRODUCT
8062	St Mary's Medical Center of Saginaw	Saginaw	1,794	Health care
8062	Covenant HealthCare	Saginaw	4,000	Health care
9121	County of Saginaw	Saginaw	790	Legislative bodies
8211	Saginaw Twp. Community Schools	Saginaw	600	School/education
5411	Meijer Inc.	Saginaw	600	Grocery stores
4813	Ameritech	Saginaw	1396	Communication
5812	Zehnders of Frankenmuth Inc.	Frankenmuth	500	Eating places
5812	Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Inc.	Frankenmuth	1200	Restaurant/Hotel
8062	Veterans Health Administration	Saginaw	430	Health care
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS
Type of Service	1999
Total	5056
Forestry, fishing, hunting, and agriculture support	4
Mining	5
Utilities	1
Construction	503
Manufacturing	240
Food mfg	19
Beverage & tobacco product mfg	2
Textile mills	1
Textile product mills	1
Wood product mfg	9
Paper mfg	4
Printing & related support activities	24
Chemical mfg	6
Plastics & rubber products mfg	11
Nonmetallic mineral product mfg	13
Primary metal mfg	8
Fabricated metal product mfg	59
Machinery mfg	41
Computer & electronic product mfg	3
Electrical equip, appliance & component mfg	2
Transportation equipment mfg	13
Furniture & related product mfg	5
Miscellaneous mfg	19
Wholesale trade	266
Retail trade	1065
Transportation & warehousing	119
Information	81
Publishing industries	11
Motion picture & sound recording industries	4
Broadcasting & telecommunications	47
Information & data processing services	19
Finance & insurance	286
Real estate & rental & leasing	156
Professional, scientific & technical services	363
Management of companies & enterprises	29
Admin, support, waste mgt, remediation services	222
Educational services	35
Health care and social assistance	541
Arts, entertainment & recreation	58
Accommodation & food services	415
Other services (except public administration)	605
Auxiliaries (exc corporate, subsidiary & regional mgt)	12
Unclassified establishments	50
Source:U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of the Census, County Business Patterns, Issued May 2001

Quality of Life

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMATION
COMMUNITY	SCHOOL DISTRICT	STUDENTS	INSTRUCTORS	HIGH SCHOOLS
Birch Run	Birch Run Area Schools	2,000	101	1
Bridgeport	Bridgeport Spaulding Comm Schs	2,543	144	1
Carrollton	Carrollton Public Schools	1,206	67	1
Chesaning	Chesaning Union Schools	2,380	151	1
Frankenmuth	Frankenmuth School District	1,117	64	1
Freeland	Freeland Community District	1,261	61	1
Hemlock	Hemlock Public Schools	1,515	73	1
Merrill	Merrill Community Schools	1,040	55	1
New Lothrop	New Lothrop Area Schools	892	48	1
Saginaw	Buena Vista School District	1,747	100	1
Saginaw	Swan Valley School District	1,607	83	1
Saginaw	Saginaw Township Comm Schools	4,853	241	1
Saginaw	Saginaw City School District	13,967	796	2
St. Charles	St. Charles Community Schools	1,400	77	1
Source: MI Department of Education, 1997

TWO YEAR COLLEGES AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
NAME	LOCATION	ENROLLMENT
Great Lakes Junior College	Saginaw	2,250
Mott Community College	Flint (Genesee Co.)	10,469

FOUR YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
NAME	LOCATION	ENROLLMENT
Saginaw Valley State University	Saginaw	7,500
Northwood University	Midland (Midland Co.)	1,500
Alma College	Alma (Gratiot Co.)	1,400
University of Michigan - Flint	Flint (Genesee Co.)	10,469
GMI Engineering & Management	Flint (Genesee Co.	2,500
Source: MI Department of Education, 1996

MEDICAL FACILITIES
TYPE OF FACILITY	# IN COUNTY	# OF BEDS
Hospitals	4	994
Source: MI Department of Consumer and Industry Services, 1998

HOUSING (1990)
OWNER OCCUPIED	MEDIAN VALUE	RENTER OCCUPIED	MEDIAN RENT
55,304	$48,100	22,952	$301
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 1990

CLIMATE
MONTH	AVG. MIN TEMP	AVG. MAX TEMP.
January	14F./-10C.	27F./-3C.
July	60F./16C.	82F./28C.
PRECIPITATION	RAINFALL	SNOWFALL
Average Annual	30in./76cm.	46in./117cm.
GROWING SEASON	DAYS ABOVE 90F/32C	DAYS BELOW 0F/-18C
163	10	9
Source: NOAA Climate Summary, 1995

RECREATION

COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS

The natural resources in Saginaw, Bay, and Midland Counties are an integral part of one of Michigan's largest tourism industries.  The Saginaw River and Lake Huron provide year-round activity from boating to fishing.  Popular events such as Freeland's Walleye Festival and the Shiver on the River ice-fishing competition attract visitors throughout the Midwest.  The area's natural resources also provide ample opportunity for the observation of wildlife.  Midland's Chippewa Nature Center, Shiawassee Wildlife Refuge and Bay City's Tobico Marsh State Game Area are amoung the many places visitors are able to enjoy nature. The Tri-Counties also boast 26 public and private golf courses, providing over 450 holes ranging in difficulty and affordability.  Among them is a PGA course designed by Jack Nicklaus at Bay Valley Hotel and Resort.  Apple Mountain Ski & Golf Resort and Frankenmuth's Fortress are also among the area's most impressive courses. Other recreational activities include the Pere-Marquette Rail Trail.  This 23 mile paved trail, beginning at Midland's Tridge, is ideal for biking, walking, cross country skiing or inline skating.  In addition, some of the Midwest's best skiing is only a short distance away at Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, and Caberfae. The Tri-County community also provides many unique cultural opportunities.  The Midland Center for the Arts hosts performances in music, theatre, and dance.  Art, science, and history exhibits are also on display.  The Bay City Players is the county's oldest, continuously running community theatre.  For those preferring a more peaceful experience, Midland's Dow Gardens includes 110 acres of gardens open to the public year round.  Exploring is encouraged. Saginaw County has numerous cultural attractions as well.  Included is the Japanese Cultural Center and Tea Garden and the Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Gallery, located at Saginaw Valley State University.  In Frankenmuth, Michigan's #1 tourist destination, visitors may enjoy the German atmosphere found year round in the shops and restaurants scattered downtown. Retail is big business.  Saginaw's Birch Run contains interstate 75's second most frequented exit, next only to Orlando, Florida due widely to the popular Prime Outlets shopping center. The residents of Saginaw, Bay, and Midland Counties are truly fortunate.  Quality of life here provides a great place to live, work, and raise a family.  Employment opportunities are diverse, neighbors are friendly, resources are plentiful, and newcomers are welcome.

Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

Municipal Services

UTILITIES
COMMUNITY	ELECTRIC	GAS
Jonesfield, Birch Run, Blumfield, Brady, Brant, Bridgeport, Carrollton, Chapin, Chesaning, Frankenmuth, Albee, James, Kochville, Lakefield, Maple Grove, Marion, Richland, Saginaw, St. Charles, St. Clair, Swan Creek, Taymouth, Thomas, Fremont	Consumers Energy	Consumers Energy
Chapin	Tri-County	Consumers Energy
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Local Phone Companies	Ameritech
Long Distance Companies	AT&T, MCI, Sprint, and others
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

LICENSED LANDFILLS
COMMUNITY	OWNER/MANAGER
Buena Vista	GM Corp - Powertrain
James	John Sexton Corporation of Michigan
Taymouth	People's Garbage Disposal, Inc.
Taymouth	Tay-ban Corporation
Source: MDEQ Waste Management Division, 1998

PROPERTY TAX (1997)
Agriculture	Comercial	Industrial	Residential	Other
7.34%	21.04%	13.09%	58.24%	0.28%
Source:MI Department of Treasury, 1997

GOVERNMENT
COMMUNITY	PHONE NUMBER	COMMUNITY	PHONE NUMBER
Albee Twp	(517) 770-4844	Birch Run Twp	(517) 624-9773
Blumfield Twp	(517) 753-9881	Brady Twp	(517) 845-3264
Brant Twp	(517) 585-3256	Bridgeport Charter Twp	(517) 777-0940
Buena Vista Charter Twp	(517) 754-6536	Carrollton Twp	(517) 754-4611
Chapin Twp	(517) 661-2327	Chesaning Twp	(517) 845-3666
Frankenmuth (City of)	(517) 652-9901	Frankenmuth Twp	(517) 652-6741
Fremont Twp	(517) 642-8390	James Twp	(517) 781-1353
Jonesfield Twp	(517) 643-7525	Kochville Twp	(517) 792-7596
Lakefield Twp	(517) 643-5482	Maple Grove Twp	(810) 845-6155
Marion Twp	(517) 585-3583	Richland Twp	(517) 642-2097
Saginaw (City of)	(517) 776-1480	Saginaw Charter Twp	(517) 791-9800
Spaulding Twp	(517) 777-0950	St. Charles Twp	(517) 865-9010
Swan Creek Twp	(517) 865-6251	Taymouth Twp	(517) 624-4159
Thomas Twp	(517) 781-0150	Tittabawassee twp	(517) 695-9512
Zilwaukee Twp	(517) 753-6036
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTACT

Contact: Ms. JoAnn Crary

Business: Saginaw Future, Inc.

Address: 301 E. Genesee

Third Floor

Saginaw, MI 48607

Phone: (989) 754-8222

Fax: (989) 754-1715

Website:  www.saginawfuture.com

*LDO's = Local Development Organizations

Source: Local County Economic Development Contact