Saginaw declares its green-energy identity

By Kathryn Lynch-Morin | The Saginaw News

In Saginaw County, the future is green.

Saginaw Future Inc. is launching a new logo the organization will use as a visual statement that Saginaw is the place to be for green, renewable technology and business.

“We felt that it was important to incorporate opportunities in green technology and alternative energy in a single glance,” said JoAnn T. Crary, president of Saginaw Future, an economic development agency. “We also included elements from the regional branding campaign that Saginaw Future plays an essential role in.”

The new logo is marked by budding leaves and the earthy colors of cool blue and green, reflecting growth in the region’s environmental industries, green technology and new energy sources. The word “Future” in the logo is displayed in bold, green capital letters. Saginaw Future said that element displays confidence, freshness and opportunity.

“The new logo instantly tells people what we are and where we are headed,” Crary said.

Saginaw County is home to Hemlock Semiconductor Corp., one of the world’s largest makers of polycrystalline silicon, a building block for solar panels.

Saginaw Future recently played a significant role in the selection of Saginaw as the future home of GlobalWatt Inc.’s 500-job, $177 million solar module production plant.

GlobalWatt Corporate Executive Officer Sanjeev Chitre and Gov. Jennifer Granholm credited Saginaw Future and Crary’s involvement when the announcement was made in December.

Saginaw Future said the logo makeover was done to create a memorable first impression in a market flooded with business recruiters from competing regions. It said the new logo will quickly reflect the core advantages offered by running a business in Saginaw County.

“We are inviting them and their companies, employees and families to come grow with us,” Crary said of the new logo.

Saginaw Future, which promotes job creation through the expansion of local industry and the attraction of new business projects, is a public-private alliance of local businesses, Saginaw County, the city of Saginaw, 16 local municipalities and the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce.