Granholm Announces Carbone of America Expansion in Bay City

Project will create and retain 191 high-tech jobs

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced state support for improvements to Carbone of America’s Ultra Carbon Division  at 900 Harrison Street in Bay City. The $11.5 million project will add 65 new jobs and retain 126 jobs.

"International investment is a key component of our plan to diversify Michigan’s economy,” Granholm said. “We welcome French-based Carbone’s commitment to Bay City and the good-paying jobs they will preserve and create.”

Based on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s recommendation, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority today approved more than $3 million in state and local tax capture in addition to a $1.3 million brownfield tax credit to support the project.   

The project includes demolition and reconstruction of a functionally obsolete portion of the existing Carbone plant and purchase of new manufacturing equipment, including additional furnaces. Also included is reconstruction of a deteriorated section of Harrison Street between 32nd and 38th streets and underground utility improvements to accommodate the expansion.    

“The use of the state’s brownfield incentives to support this renovation and expansion by an international leader in the electronics industry is one of the purposes for which this program was enacted,” MEDC President and CEO James C. Epolito said. “We appreciate the support of our Bay City partners in making this project possible.”   

Carbone of America Ultra Carbon Division makes high-purity graphite and graphite coatings used in a variety of industrial, electronic and solar applications.  

“This investment is a reflection of Carbone Lorraine's strong commitment to the renewal energy business and will continue to create jobs in Bay City and strengthen Michigan's economy,” General Manager Sohail Qamar said.          

Carbone’s expansion is among 18 economic development projects the governor announced today. In all, they are expected to create and retain 21,602 jobs. Michigan brownfield programs provide incentives to invest in property that has been used for industrial, commercial or residential purposes and to keep that property in productive use or return it to a productive use. Brownfield incentives can be used for functionally obsolete, blighted, or contaminated property.           

“Carbone is a new economy business and we are pleased they are growing in Bay City,” Deputy City Manager Steven Black said. “This project is a great public-private partnership.”

In her 2008 State of the State address, Granholm emphasized the importance of making Michigan a leader in creating opportunity in the changing world of the 21st century. Since January 2005, the Governor and the MEDC have announced the creation or retention of more than 279,000 jobs as a result of targeted assistance provided by the MEDC.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.