Twelve projects highlighted as exemplary, including Corning Inc.’s $1.5 billion solar component facility, recognized as a Manufacturing Project of the Year

Michigan is once again receiving national recognition as a leader in the future of the advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries, reflecting the impact of the state’s “Make It in Michigan” strategy.

Area Development, the leading publication covering site selection and facility planning, is recognizing Michigan with a Silver Shovel as part of its 20th Annual Shovel Awards, which are presented each year to the states that have achieved the most success in terms of new job creation and company capital investment. This marks Michigan’s 16th Shovel since the award’s 2006 establishment. Previous Silver Shovels were earned in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023; Gold Shovels were earned in 2011 and 2021.

Michigan is receiving its Silver Shovel recognition for 12 transformational projects, which were delivered through the state’s “Make It in Michigan” economic development strategy focused on investing in People, revitalizing Places and securing Projects.

One of these projects was recognized as a Manufacturing Project of the Year: in February 2024, Corning Inc. announced it would build a new manufacturing facility in Richland Township in Saginaw County with an investment of up to $900 million, supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund. The project was initially expected to create over 1,100 jobs, with starting wages expected to exceed the median wage for the region. In April 2025, Corning Inc. announced that it would increase its investment to $1.5 billion, adding 400 new high-paying advanced manufacturing jobs for a total of 1,500.

The new manufacturing facility, currently under construction, will be dedicated to the production of U.S.-made solar components. This investment will help meet a sharp rise in demand for solar power that the current domestic solar supply chain cannot meet. As reported by the International Energy Agency, the United States added almost 50 gigawatts (GW) of new solar photovoltaic capacity to the grid in 2024, shattering the previous record of 32.3 GW in 2023.

“The latest Silver Shovel Award is proof that Team Michigan’s commitment to executing the ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy focused on People, Places and Projects is delivering results across the state through transformational investments,” said MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. “While work remains, this recognition fuels our relentless resolve to illustrate the impact of every investment, each vote of confidence, regardless of size, in our state.  As this and other projects demonstrate, there is promising commercial value in a clean energy future for all Michiganders.”

“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 project’s announcement. “These approved incentives helped confirm Michigan as the natural choice for this new endeavor. The planned facility will create thousands of local jobs and advance the goal of expanding access to U.S. renewable energy solutions.”

Other projects included in Michigan’s recognition for the Silver Shovel Award were investments from Dow, Inc.; Gentex Corporation; Howmet Aerospace; Fortescue Future Industries (FFI); Alticor, Inc. dba Amway; Piston Automotive, LLC; SAAB, Inc.; Lucid USA, Inc.; Detroit Diesel Corporation; Laepple Automotive; and Flash Steelworks, Inc.

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 about Michigan’s leadership in clean energy.