Gov. Whitmer sets goal to bring semiconductor “fab” to Michigan by 2026

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. Whitmer spoke of bringing manufacturing opportunities to Flint.

FLINT, MI - Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited Flint on Wednesday, May 21 to deliver her “Road Ahead Flint” speech, outlining her vision to grow Michigan’s advanced manufacturing sector and secure more high-paying, high-skill jobs across the state.

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley speks with members of the media on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke of bringing manufacturing opportunities to Flint.

While Whitmer did not name Flint directly as the location for a potential semiconductor facility, she said her goal is to bring a “Fab” - a chip fabrication plant - to Michigan. City leaders are hopeful that Flint could be a strong candidate for the investment.

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley sits in attendance on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke of bringing manufacturing opportunities to Flint.

“I want to set an ambitious but attainable goal, by the end of next year, let’s make sure that Michigan secures a new fab,” Whitmer said.

The speech took place at Kettering University, where Whitmer highlighted the school’s three-year accelerated Bachelor of Science in Semiconductor Materials and Devices. She emphasized that programs like Kettering’s can help fuel growth in sectors like manufacturing and semiconductors by supplying a skilled and ready workforce.

“Let’s build on our momentum to make sure that families in Flint and across the state have a fair shot at a good life by landing a once-in-a-generation project and doubling down on our comprehensive economic strategy that centers people,” she said.

Whitmer also said Flint “has the potential to be on the cutting edge of manufacturing.”

“Flint has a rich history and we know it’s been left out and counted out for too long,” Whitmer said.

Dr. Bob McMahan, president of Kettering University, joined the governor for the event.

“We’ve been involved in helping the state attract fab jobs for a number of years,” McMahan said. “We’re one of the first universities in the nation to develop a three-year accelerated program in this field. It’s built upon attracting more people to Flint and growing here.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. Whitmer spoke of bringing manufacturing opportunities to Flint.

Whitmer also urged lawmakers to pass legislation that would make it easier to attract and retain advanced manufacturing jobs in Michigan. Her agenda includes incentives and infrastructure improvements aimed at securing a chip manufacturing facility in the state.

Recently in Flint, Ashley Capital continues infrastructure work at the Flint Commerce Center, a light manufacturing and distribution hub taking shape on the former Buick City site. The property, once home to General Motors, was abandoned during the automaker’s 2009 bankruptcy and largely sold to Ashley Capital in 2023. The company broke ground on the project later that year.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer holds talking points on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. Whitmer spoke of bringing manufacturing opportunities to Flint.

Several companies have already committed to the site, including Bunzl Distribution, Victory (a company with ties to GM), and NanoGraf, a battery materials manufacturer. NanoGraf officials visited Flint on Sept. 27, with the CEO pledging to help usher in the next generation of electric vehicles through the Flint Commerce Center.

President of Kettering University Robert McMahan speaks on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke of bringing manufacturing opportunities to Flint.

NanoGraf expects to break ground this year and begin full operations by 2027. At full capacity, the facility is projected to employ up to 150 people and produce 2,500 tons of its proprietary silicon anode material annually—enough to supply batteries for approximately 1.5 million electric vehicles.

Mayor Sheldon Neeley said Flint would make for a great location for Whitmer’s fab project.

“We have a couple different sites that would be suited for this,” Neeley said. “We’re clearing a lot of different land spaces not only for the fab, but definitely for the families who will come here to relocate and be able to work at these places.”

The 1,300-acre “Advanced Manufacturing District of Genesee County” is an opportunity for investment that will create thousands of jobs and pump millions of dollars of new revenue into the community, region, and state.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shakes hands with President of Kettering University Robert McMahan on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. Whitmer spoke of bringing manufacturing opportunities to Flint.

“We’re doing a great job of assembling the site,” said Tyler Rossmaessler, Executive Director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance. “We’re working everyday with land owners and we’re clearing the site right now.”

Mundy Township exists at the intersection of US-23 and I-75, and within a mile of I-69 and I-475 — and it has the luxury of excessive highway interchanges that make it easy to access.

It’s roughly bounded on the south by Hill Road, on the west by Elms Road, on the east by Linden Road and on the north by Maple Road with one piece of the northern-most property stretching to a Canadian National rail line.

Whitmer also touched on major manufacturing investments in other Mid-Michigan cities, highlighting how the region is playing a growing role in the state’s economic future.

She pointed to SK Siltron’s $300 million investment in Bay City, announced in 2022, which is expected to create 150 high-skill, good-paying jobs. SK Siltron, one of the world’s top wafer manufacturers, produces the ultra-thin silicon materials that power electric vehicles, smartphones, solar panels, and more. Whitmer said Michigan secured the project over several southern states thanks to its skilled workforce, strong economy, and manufacturing reputation.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. Whitmer spoke of bringing manufacturing opportunities to Flint.

The governor then turned to Hemlock Semiconductor in Saginaw County, noting its role as the largest U.S. producer of high-purity polysilicon - a material used in nearly every modern electronic device. Last year, Hemlock announced a $375 million expansion in Saginaw Township, expected to create 180 new high-skill jobs.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. Whitmer spoke of bringing manufacturing opportunities to Flint.

“Fabs are the most advanced factories on the planet,” Whitmer said. “A fab is an intergenerational project where a dad can work on pouring the foundation, his daughter can help wire it up to the grid, and his grandchildren can work inside, making the advanced chips our world needs.”

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. Whitmer spoke of bringing manufacturing opportunities to Flint.