Fri, 29 Sep 2006 15:16:16 EDT

Thursday, September 21, 2006

PAUL WYCHETHE SAGINAW NEWS

MIDLAND -- Growth at Dow Corning Corp. has city leaders praising the company while backing a 12-year tax abatement for a $52 million project.

A public hearing on the matter is at 7 p.m. Monday in City Hall, 333 W. Ellsworth.

The investment involves buying equipment and additions at six sites at the business -- parent company of Hemlock Semiconductor Corp. in Saginaw County's Thomas Township.

Dow Corning spokesman Jarrod Erpelding said a good chunk of the project is the direct result of increased sales at the Thomas Township plant, the world's largest provider of computer chip-grade silicon.

"That is where a lot of this is coming from," he said.

The investment also includes machinery to support production of material used in sealants, paper coatings, electronics and rubber for airbag coating, as well as building upgrades including a steam boiler and electrical and water service.

Midland City Manager Jon Lynch said he backs Dow Corning's efforts as a "major employer."

"We have a long-standing history of supporting tax abatements for local industrial (companies)," he said. "They expect to hire about a dozen new employees, as well." v