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The History of Saginaw Charter Township

 

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From Anishinaabe roots to a modern hub—how Saginaw Township grew and why our future hinges on regional collaboration and talent retention.

Table of Contents

History: From Anishinaabe Lands to Township

Today: Big City Assets with a Small Town Feel

The Future: The Next Economic Horizon

Few communities in Michigan carry a history as complex—and as consequential—as Saginaw Charter Township. From the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe to today’s independent suburban hub, its story is one of resilience, division, and reinvention. The Township’s 24.8 square miles were shaped by decisions that secured its borders, built its economy, and defined its identity.

Those decisions were not made in isolation. The forced removal of Indigenous peoples, the migration of Black people for auto jobs in Saginaw, and the flight of residents and businesses to the suburbs all left a lasting imprint. These turning points explain not only how the Township became what it is today, but also why the future of Saginaw City and Township together matters so deeply.

This article explores that full journey: the origins, the struggles, and the choices that shaped the Township, as well as the opportunities ahead. With major new investments, expanding schools, and renewed cooperation across municipal lines, Saginaw Charter Township is striving to become a place where all residents—across every neighborhood—can find opportunity, security, and a sense of belonging.

History: From Anishinaabe Lands to Township

The Native People: Thriving Hunter-Gatherers

The Saginaw Valley has been inhabited for thousands of years, with the region serving as an important political and cultural center for the Anishinaabe people, including the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Ottawa tribes. The name "Saginaw" itself originates from the Ojibwe language, likely meaning "place of the outlet," referring to the river that flows out into the bay.

Rather than relying on a single, fixed settlement, native peoples thrived by moving with the seasons in a "seasonal round," using different areas of the valley to harvest specific resources. The network of rivers leading into the Saginaw Bay was a vital meeting place and travel route, giving the Anishinaabe access to a diverse ecosystem.

This dynamic way of life successfully leveraged the region's natural abundance through a mixed economy that combined seasonal hunting, gathering, fishing, and agriculture. The area's rich forests and wetlands provided abundant game, while fertile floodplains along the river supported garden plots. Long-distance trade networks also flourished, as evidenced by archaeological findings that show exchanges of goods with other tribes across the continent.

For the Anishinaabe and other indigenous people, thriving was deeply connected to their environment. Their prosperity was not based on European standards of permanent, industrial settlement, but on their deep, generational knowledge of the land and their ability to adapt to its seasonal changes. Archaeological evidence, including findings at sites like Crow Island and Green Point, confirms a long history of native habitation and a sophisticated, resilient society that flourished long before European contact.

It's interesting to think about the people who walked this same land thousands of years ago!

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The Treaty: Clearing the Land & Creating the Government

In 1813, Lewis Cass, a New Hampshire-born lawyer, was appointed Governor of Michigan by President James Madison, a position he held for 18 years. During that time, he was responsible for pushing the national territorial expansion agenda and assimilation of Native lands by establishing counties, townships, schools, roads, and legal systems across the territory.

The Treaty of Saginaw was a land cession agreement negotiated in 1819 between Territorial Governor Lewis Cass and the leaders of the Ojibwe, Ottawa, and Potawatomi.

  • 1819: Treaty of Saginaw. This crucial agreement was signed, effectively extinguishing Native American land rights across most of the area and paving the way for white settlement.

While facing pressure from encroaching settlers, the tribes negotiated for specific compensation: they were granted perpetual hunting and sugar-making rights on the ceded territory; they received perpetual annual payments of $1,000 in silver; they received funds to establish schools; and, critically, they had several tracts of land reserved for their continued use.

Despite these negotiated guarantees, the long-term outcome was severe. Over the next few decades, further treaties and unforeseen economic crises led to the loss of the remaining reserved lands, and the Saginaw bands were eventually moved to new territories in Isabella County in the mid-1800s, where land was often allotted to individuals rather than maintained by the tribe.

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Economic Evolution: Furs, Lumber, Auto, Healthcare & Advanced Tech

Following the 1819 Treaty, the development of the Saginaw region was shaped by industrial booms, starting with the mid-to-late 19th-century Lumber Era, fueled by the Saginaw River and its surrounding pine forests, which led to a significant population increase.

However, the area—especially where the City of Saginaw now stands—was originally difficult to settle densely due to low-lying, mosquito-infested marshland. This environmental challenge severely delayed large-scale development

As forests were depleted, the region transitioned to coal mining and diversified manufacturing, using sawmill waste for salt extraction and tapping coal fields, setting the stage for future complex manufacturing. The 20th century saw Saginaw become a key automotive manufacturing hub for General Motors, driving prosperity until the industry's decline in the 1970s and 1980s caused economic challenges and population loss in subsequent decades.

The region is now transitioning toward a diversified economy, with a focus on advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and downtown revitalization.

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Demographic Split: A City Divided, a Township Rising

From the 1930s to the 1970s, the City of Saginaw thrived as an automotive hub. Factories, especially General Motors plants, expanded during World War II, drawing thousands of workers from across the country. In the years following World War II, numerous subdivisions were developed to accommodate Saginaw County’s growing population. Most were close to the City of Saginaw and benefited from its amenities.

Unfortunately, this period of growth also carried deep racial tensions.

Many Black people migrated from the South in search of opportunities in these plants, sparking a dramatic demographic shift. White people moved out of the city and into the surrounding township seeking newer homes, schools, and perceived safety. Over time, the City was left with an aging infrastructure and shrinking tax base, while the Township surged with new housing and commercial development.

The Impact of Redlining

The patterns of white flight out of Saginaw were reinforced by federal redlining practices that explicitly marked Black neighborhoods as “hazardous” for investment. In 1937, the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) created a redlining map of Saginaw, grading neighborhoods by perceived financial risk.

Areas east of the Saginaw River—where many Black families lived—were shaded in red or yellow, signaling to banks and insurers that they were undesirable for loans or investment. This didn’t legally prevent Black families from buying homes in the city, but it effectively cut them off from fair mortgages, insurance, and home-improvement credit. Many were forced into risky contracts or high-interest loans, while white families in the suburbs benefited from federally backed mortgages in new subdivisions.

The result was a double bind: Black families could purchase homes, but without access to the credit systems that built middle-class wealth, their neighborhoods saw declining property values and disinvestment. At the same time, racially restrictive covenants often explicitly barred Black families from buying in those suburban areas. Even if a Black family had money, they were legally excluded from many neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, suburban areas like Saginaw Township captured the flow of affordable loans and investment, making them far more attractive for white families seeking stability and growth.

By the late 20th century, many of the same neighborhoods marked in red still struggled with poverty and underinvestment, while the Township captured the bulk of new residential and commercial growth.

Securing Independence: Charter Township Status

That rapid growth put the Township in the City’s sights for annexation. To defend its autonomy and expanding wealth, Saginaw Township secured Charter Township status under Michigan’s 1947 Charter Township Act. This law was crafted specifically to protect fast-growing suburbs from being absorbed by nearby cities.

With charter powers, the Township could operate much like a small city—managing police, fire, and zoning—without losing control of its borders or finances. In essence, it guaranteed independence at a time when the City was struggling to hold onto its own population.

The Water Sealed the Deal

A final and often overlooked factor sealed the Township’s success: water.

Unlike other cities that used water access as a bargaining chip (“no annexation, no water”), the City of Saginaw signed long-term contracts to sell water to surrounding communities. This choice provided Saginaw Township with the necessary infrastructure to support rapid growth.

Modern subdivisions and businesses could be built without city annexation, allowing the Township to capture the rising middle-class tax base. Ironically, the City’s short-term need for revenue enabled the Township’s long-term independence.

Racial Divides that Still Linger

The migration patterns of the mid-20th century and the racial divisions they exposed shaped both Saginaw and its Township. In the City, disinvestment and segregation deepened the challenges of poverty and crime. In the Township, many residents viewed the move as a way to secure opportunity and stability—though the benefits of growth were not evenly shared.

Today, those historical divides are still visible. The City remains more racially diverse, while the Township has retained a higher share of white, middle-class residents. In certain neighborhoods, issues of policing, safety, and economic disparity still reflect the legacies of segregation and disinvestment.

The story of Saginaw and its Township is one of separation, growth, and resilience. The past cannot be undone, but it has brought the region to where it stands today—a place with both challenges and opportunities. What once divided City and Township has now, in many ways, become a foundation for collaboration.

Looking ahead, the most promising horizon is in building a stronger regional team. Economic development, healthcare access, education, and infrastructure all cut across municipal borders. Progress in one strengthens the other.

By working together with honesty about the past and a shared commitment to the future, the City of Saginaw and Saginaw Township can continue moving forward as partners in shaping a thriving, inclusive community for all who call this region home.

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Schools: The Center of Growth

The history of the school district is a perfect example of the suburban expansion fueled by the Township's independence.

In the early to mid-1900s, Michigan had hundreds of rural school districts, many of which only went up to the 8th grade. In the 1950s and 1960s, there was a push to modernize education, reduce inefficiencies of one-room schools, and ensure all Michigan students had access to secondary education. In that spirit, the state legislature passed a series of laws requiring those districts to either:

  • Consolidate/merge with an existing district that provided a full K–12 education, or
  • Form their own unified K–12 district, which meant building or expanding to include a high school.

At the time, Saginaw Township did not have its own high school, and students typically attended Saginaw City schools, most often Arthur Hill. In response, Saginaw Township formed its own school district and constructed two high schools, giving the community an independent system that matched its rapid residential growth. In 1988, those two schools were merged into Heritage High School, which remains the Township’s primary high school today.

Summary

  • Early Roots: The earliest roots of formal schooling in the Saginaw area date back to 1837, when the first school district was organized in Saginaw County. The oldest remaining school building, Hemmeter, dates back to 1937.
  • Expansion: As the population exploded after WWII, the district built many new facilities and eventually operated two large high schools: Douglas MacArthur and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
  • Consolidation: In 1988, the two high schools merged into one modern campus: Heritage High School. The former Eisenhower campus was retained for the new Heritage High School, while the former MacArthur campus became White Pine Middle School.
  • Current Status: Today, STCS is one of the largest and most diverse districts in the region, serving nearly 4,600 to 5,000 students, and remains the central amenity that draws families to the Township.

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The Timeline: Moments that Shaped the Valley

  • 1822: Saginaw County Established. The government formally created the large territory known as Saginaw County.
  • 1831: The Massive Township is Formed. The Territorial Legislature formally created the Township of Saginaw. This initial governmental area was huge—it contained the entire county and adjacent land, measuring over 783,360 acres. Over the next few decades, the Township continued to shrink as new, smaller townships and counties were established.
  • 1837: The first school was built.
  • 1880: Lumber Era: During the great lumber boom of the mid-1800s, the nearby City of Saginaw became wealthy, earning the nickname "Lumber Capital of the World." The land that makes up the current Township, however, remained mostly quiet, rural, and agricultural. This was a hidden advantage, as the Township avoided the pollution, outdated infrastructure, and aging buildings that later affected the old industrial City core.
  • 1903: Coal Mining Era: The Saginaw area turned to coal mining, evidenced by finding mine shafts in places like a backyard in Blumfield Township and under Jerome Middle School and Saginaw High School. The Consolidated Coal Company was formed in 1906 through a merger of several mines in the area.
  • 1910: Automotive Era: The automotive era began in Saginaw in the early 1900s as smaller, independent car companies emerged, like the one that produced the Rainier. However, General Motors' acquisitions of local parts makers, including Saginaw Steering Gear and Saginaw Malleable Iron, truly solidified the city as a major hub for automotive parts manufacturing.
  • 1950: Population Growth Era: After World War II, Saginaw Township entered a period of explosive growth. Fueled by returning veterans, the baby boom, and the prosperity of the automotive industry, new subdivisions sprang up across the Township that drew middle-class white families out of the City, where aging infrastructure and rising racial tensions pushed them to the suburbs.
  • 1990: Transition Era: The economic shock of the decline and exit of the automakers like General Motors led to widespread unemployment, population loss, and urban blight in the City of Saginaw. Organizations like Saginaw Future Inc., founded in 1992, actively pursued new business investments to counteract the downturn. Federal grants were secured to begin brownfield redevelopment and urban revitalization efforts. The healthcare sector begins to strengthen.
  • 2000: Economic Diversification Era: As the economy’s reliance on the automotive industry decreased, there was a concerted effort to build a more diverse economic base, with growth in sectors such as healthcare, agribusiness, and professional services. The retail sector also showed resilience.
  • 2020: Medical, Renewable, & Advanced Tech Era: Significant investments in medical facilities, semiconductor manufacturing for both solar and electronics, and other high-tech fields that leverage the region's manufacturing heritage

This timeline offers a fascinating glimpse into the resilience and collaboration of an entire region and beyond, comprising many small communities that come together to facilitate our individual rights to life, happiness, and liberty.

It’s clear that the success of our neighbors directly impacts our individual success. It's exciting to see surrounding areas leverage their skills to attract unique and specialized industries, such as a medical school (Saginaw City), semiconductor and solar (Richland Township), higher education, retail, and residential (Saginaw Township), while creating safe and play-filled neighborhoods.

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Today: Big City Assets with a Small Town Feel

Today's Saginaw Township is defined by its role as a suburban residential and commercial center. The township's 2025 tax rolls tell the story of its modern identity.

Property Development: Land, Homes, and Retail Power

The parcel distribution reveals a township that has fully transitioned from its lumber-era origins into a suburban community centered on retail, restaurants, and residential neighborhoods—with the commercial tax base supporting services for one of Michigan's largest charter township populations.

Population: 41,679. Ranks somewhere around 20th-25th largest out of 1,240 townships statewide.

Property Overview (16,114 total parcels):

  • Residential dominance: 13,475 residential parcels (83.6% of all property)
  • Commercial concentration: 974 commercial parcels—the retail backbone that distinguishes the township from its neighbors
  • Limited industrial: Just 23 industrial parcels, reflecting the township's focus on retail and services rather than manufacturing
  • Agricultural remnants: 58 agricultural parcels, echoes of the township's rural past

Housing Stock (18,938 living units):

  • Single-family homes: 12,336 (65%)
  • Multi-family units: 5,797 (31%)
  • Mobile homes: 805 (4%)

The definitive focus on commercial and residential development, as evidenced by 974 commercial parcels versus 23 industrial parcels, was a strategic move. By avoiding the heavy manufacturing that defined the City core, the Township was able to protect its borders and capture the desirable suburban population and retail tax base, ensuring financial stability without the risk or infrastructure costs associated with traditional industry.

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Economic Development: Regional Strength

Saginaw Charter Township’s success is directly influenced by the prosperity of its neighboring communities and the collective growth of the entire region. The Great Lakes Bay Region, which includes eight counties—Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw (where the Township is located)—is setting the stage for an era of unparalleled opportunity.

Organizations driving economic development and affecting Saginaw Township include a mix of county-wide, regional, and township-specific entities. These organizations focus on creating job opportunities, attracting investment, and improving the overall quality of life for residents.

County-wide and regional organizations

  • Saginaw Future Inc. (SFI): A private, non-profit economic development organization focused on generating job growth and new investment across Saginaw County.
  • Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance: A collaborative development group that promotes growth across the eight-county Great Lakes Bay Region.
  • Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC): A state government partner that works to strengthen Michigan's economy.
  • Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce: An organization that promotes business and economic activity within Saginaw County.
  • United Way of Saginaw County: Supports community-wide initiatives and quality of life improvements.
  • Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!: A workforce development organization that serves the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Township and City-specific organizations

  • Saginaw Charter Township Community Development Department: The governmental body responsible for community development within Saginaw Charter Township.
  • Saginaw Township Business Association (STBA): A business group that focuses on the interests and growth of businesses in Saginaw Charter Township.
  • State Street Corridor Improvement Authority (CID): Specializes in redevelopment efforts for the State Street Corridor within Saginaw Township.
  • Saginaw Economic Development Corporation (SEDC): Works to create and retain jobs specifically within the City of Saginaw.
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Industries Driving the Area’s Careers

Saginaw's economy is anchored by several major sectors that offer high-wage and stable employment opportunities:

  1. Medical & Health Care (Top Employer): This is the leading industry by job count, with major employers like Covenant HealthCare (4,800 employees) and MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw. The region is a major healthcare hub, indicating a consistent, long-term need for professionals in this sector.
  2. Advanced Manufacturing & Automotive (High-Tech Jobs): This traditional sector is evolving rapidly to focus on Advanced Mobility and the electric vehicle supply chain. Companies like Nexteer Automotive (3,800 employees) are at the forefront of this revolution, offering technical and engineering careers with competitive pay.
  3. Advanced Materials & Clean Energy (Future-Focused): Companies like Hemlock Semiconductor (Polycrystalline Silicon/Solar) are making major investments in the semiconductor supply chain, providing high-tech manufacturing and engineering jobs in the clean energy and electronics fields.
  4. Professional Services: The region serves as a major center for professional services, including engineering, accounting, legal, and construction firms, which typically offer higher-than-average wages and require a high level of expertise.

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The STCS School System: Current Snapshot

The Saginaw Township Community Schools (STCS) district serves as the foundation for the Township's residential and economic stability. By offering high-quality education and advanced programs, STCS ensures local students are prepared for the opportunities being created in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

  • Size and Quality: STCS is an above-average public school district and one of the largest in the mid-Michigan area, serving approximately 4,500 to 4,800 students. The district is recognized for its high-quality staff and is ranked highly among Michigan school districts for both academic excellence and diversity.
  • Talent Development (TD): The district runs a highly successful magnet school for Gifted and Talented students at Hemmeter Elementary School. The program exposes students to advanced, accelerated, and honors coursework, developing complex problem-solving and high-level thinking skills that prepare them for college and career readiness.
  • College Preparation: STCS students are actively prepared for local higher education, with a significant number enrolling in local partners, such as Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) and Delta College.
  • By the Numbers

    • 8 buildings, 900,000 sq ft of space: (1) high school, (1) middle school, (2) Grades 3-5, (2) Grades K-2, (1) Gifted & Talented Magnet, (1) Alternative High School

    • The oldest building is 84 years old, the youngest 54 years old

    • 4,700 students, with 21% School of Choice (K–6)

    • Mackinaw Academy expanding choice options

    • One of the Township’s largest employers (500–600 staff)

The high standard of STCS is a direct competitive advantage for the Township, positioning it as the top choice for new, high-wage families moving to the area for jobs at Hemlock or Corning.

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Population Statics

A glance at our state's population growth. Much more can be learned at the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics.

"The counties with the largest projected numeric growth are all in the Grand Rapids area or southeastern Michigan. These counties are all generally younger than the state median age (40.5 years in 2023), still in natural increase, and often experience net positive migration.

The counties with the largest projected numeric losses are in the Saginaw Bay area and Southeastern Michigan. These counties are typically at or above the state median age (except Wayne County), are nearing or have been experiencing natural decrease for at least a decade (Bay and St. Clair counties), and have often experienced net negative migration for decades (particularly Bay, Genesee, Saginaw, and Wayne counties)."

Michigan

  • 1860: 74,9113
  • 1870: 1,184,653
  • 1950: 6,371,766
  • 2010: 9,878,000
  • 2020: 9,967,000
  • 2024: 10,140,000

Saginaw County Population

  • 1877: 48,409
  • 1950: 153,515
  • 1960: 190,752
  • 1970: 219,743
  • 1980: 228,059
  • 1990: 211,946
  • 2000: 209,899
  • 2010: 199,871
  • 2020: 189,868
  • 2024: 187,714

Saginaw Township Population

  • 1877: 1,040
  • 1950: 5,876
  • 1960: 15,619
  • 1970: 25,422
  • 1990: 37,684
  • 2020: 41,679

Saginaw City Population

  • 1877: 10,064
  • 1940: 74,806
  • 1950: 92,918
  • 1960: 98,265
  • 1970: 91,849
  • 1990: 69,502
  • 2020: 47,832

Key Factors for Population Decline

  • Outmigration: A significant number of residents, particularly young adults, have left Saginaw County over the past several decades. This trend has been more pronounced in the city of Saginaw than in the surrounding areas.
  • Economic Factors: The county has faced economic challenges, resulting in lower income levels for residents compared to many surrounding areas. Economic instability can make it challenging to attract and retain new residents.
  • Demographic Shifts: The decline in the number of adults in their prime working and childbearing years (ages 25–34) is a concern for the county's future growth.
  • Regional Trends: Saginaw County's population decline is not an isolated issue, but rather reflects a broader pattern of negative population growth and net outmigration observed in other parts of Michigan.

Historical Context

  • Saginaw County was once a much larger and more prominent county in Michigan, ranking third in population in 1900.
  • By 2020, the county experienced a significant population loss, continuing a downward trend that started after its peak population in 1980.

Stopping the Population Decline

The county's future trajectory is in our hands. If the county does not act, the projected decline could worsen, leading to a negative feedback loop.

  • Further economic decline: A smaller workforce and consumer base result from fewer people. This can lead to more business closures and job losses.
  • Erosion of social fabric: As young people and families move out, community institutions like schools and businesses may close, and the tax base will shrink.
  • Strain on public services: An older, smaller population will require a different set of services, such as healthcare, which a shrinking tax base will struggle to fund.
  • Decreased community pride: A sense of defeatism may set in as the community struggles with visible signs of decline, like empty storefronts and aging infrastructure.

We have many innovative groups working hard to bring people and businesses to Saginaw County, which is a great step in the right direction. Together, with a good strategy and hard work, we can confront the demographic challenges head-on and build a more resilient and vibrant future for our residents.

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The Future: The Next Economic Horizon

You are what you focus on.

The Great Lakes Bay Region is entering one of its most dynamic periods of economic growth in decades, driven by a massive infusion of investment in both industrial technology and institutional healthcare. This is an era of unparalleled opportunity for Saginaw County residents, but it requires a strategic focus on building a community that attracts and retains the next generation of workers.

Projects Transforming the Region

Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) Expansion
  • Company: Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC)
  • Project: Expansion of its existing polysilicon manufacturing facility.
  • Funding/Investment: Proposed direct funding of $325 million from the Biden-Harris administration under the CHIPS and Science Act (part of a larger $375 million investment by HSC).
  • Jobs: Approximately 1,180 total jobs (including over 1,000 temporary construction jobs and 180 permanent, high-wage advanced manufacturing jobs).
  • Location: Thomas Township, near the city of Hemlock.
  • Product: Hyper-pure Polysilicon, a critical material for semiconductor chips and solar panels.
Corning Incorporated New Manufacturing Facility
  • Company: Corning Incorporated (through its subsidiary, Solar Technology, LLC)
  • Project: Construction of a new manufacturing facility to produce U.S.-made solar components.
  • Funding/Investment: Investment of up to $1.5 billion in the facility.
  • Jobs: Expected to create a total of 1,500 new, high-paying jobs (including approximately 400 permanent advanced manufacturing jobs).
  • Location: Richland Township, Saginaw County.
  • Product: Advanced materials for the domestic solar energy supply chain.
Saginaw Medical Diamond Project
  • Project: Transformational development to solidify Saginaw as the Great Lakes Bay Region’s medical education and healthcare services hub.
  • Funding/Investment: Over $43 million secured in federal, state, and local funding ($30.3 million from the Michigan Legislature and $10 million from local ARPA funds) for infrastructure and site preparation. The total project value is estimated to be around $150 million.
  • Jobs: Secures and expands the region’s largest employment sector (Healthcare), and spurs job growth in related fields like new residential housing, retail, and hospitality (hotel) services.
  • Location: City of Saginaw riverfront and surrounding areas (specifically Washington Avenue).
  • Purpose: To improve public health access, create a learning environment for future medical professionals (including CMU medical facilities), and develop a vibrant destination with a new riverfront park.
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Saginaw Charter Township Projects Shaping Growth

Saginaw Charter Township is, by design and function, the undisputed commercial and service hub for this influx of professionals. The Township is the central destination for high-quality goods, professional services (including doctors, dentists, and financial services), and major recreational amenities. With an estimated 16,000 people entering the Township for employment daily, this number is expected to rise with the introduction of new industrial and medical jobs.

Saginaw Charter Township has several significant, long-term strategic projects focused on commercial redevelopment and quality of life rather than large industrial attraction (which is happening in neighboring townships).

In November 2024, Saginaw Township residents voted Gary Fahndrich as the new supervisor, following Tim Braun’s 20 years of service. A new supervisor brings new energy and focus to the township. And you know what they say, “You are what you focus on!”

Here is what the focus of our township government is as we move into the next phase of our development. The Township's "big projects" are aimed at maintaining its status as the regional commercial hub.

State Street Corridor Project
  • Focus: Commercial Revitalization and Aesthetic Enhancement to attract investment.
  • Key Points: A decade-long effort to transform the 3.5-mile corridor into a "township jewel."
  • Funding: Funded by property value increases in the business district via the Corridor Improvement Authority (CID).
Fashion Square Mall Area Redevelopment
  • Focus: Future-Proofing the Primary Retail/Commercial Hub.
  • Key Points: Adopted a new Mall Planned Unit Development zoning ordinance. The plan aims to transform the property into a mixed-use district allowing for new housing, entertainment venues, office space, and modern commercial uses.
Wastewater Treatment Capacity Expansion
  • Focus: Critical Infrastructure for Sustainable Growth to proactively ensure the Township is ready to support future residential and commercial expansion driven by regional job growth.
  • Key Points: Expand water treatment capacity.
  • Funding: Secured $20 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Local Road Improvements
  • Focus: Enhancing Neighborhood and Commuter Infrastructure.
  • Key Points: Local road improvements
  • Funding: $19 million allocated over five years via a county-wide road millage.
Recreation Infrastructure Upgrade
  • Focus: Improving Quality of Life and Community Amenities.
  • Key Points: Replacement of aging playscapes with new, ADA-compliant recreational facilities.
  • Funding: Supported by a $500,000 DNR grant matched by Township funds.
The School

The Saginaw Township Community Schools (STCS) district is seeking to remain competitive through a crucial and comprehensive investment in its aging facilities, which directly impacts the quality of life and talent pool available for the region's new jobs.

School District Competitiveness: The 2025 Bond Proposal

To compete for the families attracted by the high-wage jobs at Corning and Hemlock, the STCS Board of Education approved placing a major $169.2 million bond proposal on the November 4, 2025 ballot. Learn all about it here: https://www.stcs.org/page/bond-2025.

This bond is essential for competitive positioning as it addresses urgent facility needs that exceed the scope of the district’s existing sinking fund.

The proposal's focus areas are designed to ensure the school district's infrastructure matches the high quality of life expected by the incoming workforce:

  • Enhanced Safety and Security: This is a top priority, including reconfiguring exterior and interior layouts, updating secure entrances, and enclosing open-concept classrooms at elementary schools that currently lack walls or doors. This directly addresses safety and improves the learning environment.
  • Modernized Learning Environments: The bond funds renovations to add flexible learning labs and STEAM/Maker spaces, supporting modern instruction and ensuring students are prepared for the technical demands of regional employers.
  • Updated Infrastructure: Funds would address long-deferred maintenance, including overhauling HVAC systems (adding air conditioning to elementary schools), renovating bathrooms and locker rooms, and upgrading plumbing and electrical systems.
  • Athletic Upgrades: Necessary improvements to basic athletic facilities are included, such as the replacement of tennis courts and the construction of on-site regulation softball fields.

This investment is seen as a vital step to prevent further deferred maintenance and ensure STCS can provide safe, modern, and high-quality educational environments that serve as a magnet for young families moving to the area.

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Preparations for Growth: Building for What’s Ahead

Commercial: 300 acres of greenfield land

Greenfield land is undeveloped land, typically located in a rural or suburban area, that has not been previously built upon or used for industrial or commercial purposes. Developers favor greenfield sites because they are often cheaper, offer ample space for new construction and expansion, and lack the costly and time-consuming environmental remediation or existing structural issues associated with brownfield sites (previously developed or abandoned urban and industrial sites that are underutilized due to actual or perceived environmental contamination from past use.)

  • Utility services are ready to go
  • Suitable for tech, manufacturing, and medical arts
  • Build exactly what you want

How many businesses can 300 acres sustain? It’s impossible to say, but it could be a limited number of large businesses or hundreds of smaller businesses.

Housing: Shift toward rental housing
  • Historically, they were opposed to getting new rental housing
  • Increase allowances for townhomes and condominiums
  • Reason: Access for millennials and empty nesters downsizing. Anticipating house needs from incoming commercial developments and jobs.
Sustainable Energy
  • New ordinances for stand-alone solar & roof-mounted solar
  • Exploring solar lighting for parks and the State Street Corridor
  • Purpose: Align with private sector trends
Key Recreational Vision and Projects (2024-2028)

The Saginaw Charter Township Parks and Recreation Master Plan for 2024–2028 is based on extensive community input and focuses on enhancing existing facilities, improving accessibility, and expanding programming diversity. It focuses on upgrading current facilities, enhancing accessibility, and introducing new features informed by community input. Key initiatives include improving Playscape Park, adding winter activities and a non-motorized trail network, and developing amenities like a splash pad, river access, and pickleball courts. Read the full plan.

Education as Economic Development

The ultimate goal of our revitalization is not just to attract new investment, but to create a community where our children and grandchildren want to stay, raise their own families, and find rewarding careers nearby. The sentiment is strong: we want our students excited to live here and help foster the Saginaw Charter Township community. This requires explicitly linking our excellent local schools to our powerful economic engine.

Saginaw County has a highly coordinated strategy to ensure that local talent is directly connected to the thousands of high-wage jobs that are coming online. This linkage is driven by active partnerships between the educational institutions and the business community:

  • Saginaw Township Community School District (STCS): With high-performing magnet and AP programs, Saginaw Township Community Schools (STCS) directly contribute to the area's economic development by creating a highly skilled talent pipeline. It emphasizes rigorous academics and diverse opportunities to prepare students for success and community contribution. A diverse range of clubs, including Esports, multicultural, chess, and music, ensures many opportunities for engagement outside of the traditional classroom. To support these efforts and facilities, STCS has placed a $169.2 million bond proposal on the November 2025 ballot for improvements.
  • Bridging Community College to University: Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) have a cooperative partnership agreement to streamline pathways for students to complete an associate's degree and then transfer to SVSU for a bachelor’s degree without losing credits or time. This ensures local students have an efficient route to earning the advanced credentials required by regional employers.
  • Fast-Track Job Training (Delta College): Delta College runs its Fast Start™ training programs in collaboration with businesses like Hemlock Semiconductor. These short-term programs provide customized training solutions that help upskill employees and address immediate skills gaps in high-demand fields, such as Chemical Process Operation and CNC.
  • Business Incubation on Campus (SVSU): SVSU's Scott L. Carmona College of Business houses several key Business Excellence Centers that directly engage entrepreneurs and existing companies:
    • Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Provides no-cost consulting, training, and market research to help businesses launch, grow, and innovate.
    • Dow Entrepreneurship Institute: Stimulates the creation of new ventures and provides student internship opportunities.
    • Independent Testing Laboratory: Provides regional businesses and industries with access to advanced lab equipment to improve existing products and bring new ones to market.
  • Growing Our Own Teachers (Saginaw ISD): The Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) and SVSU have partnered to offer the Saginaw ISD Education Partnership Tuition Scholarship, which covers 30% of tuition and fees for eligible ISD employees pursuing advanced degrees. This is a crucial "grow your own" strategy to secure the talent needed for the Township's schools.
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A Future We Create Together

The path to Saginaw Charter Township's current position as the region's undisputed commercial and residential hub was not accidental. This trajectory was significantly shaped by the political and racial dynamics of the mid-20th century, as the Township deliberately secured its borders and captured the residential and commercial tax base fleeing the central City of Saginaw following the demographic shifts and racial tensions associated with Black migration for manufacturing jobs. This history of strategic, self-interested development has left the Township with the infrastructure and commercial foundation that now positions it for the future.

Today, the mission has shifted from capturing wealth to retaining talent. The thousands of new, high-paying jobs created by major investments like Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor, and the stability offered by the incoming Medical Diamond, provide a clear opportunity for generational prosperity. Our focus must now be on making the choice to stay in Saginaw the easiest and most desirable one for our young families.

The future of this community lies in fulfilling the core desire of its residents: to ensure their children don't have to move away for opportunity. This is achieved through direct, collaborative action:

  • Collaboration Across Municipal Lines: In a fast-changing economic environment, success depends on cities, townships, and counties working together as one region to build sustainable prosperity.
  • Educational Integration: Organizations like PartnerShift Network formally link our academic institutions (Saginaw Township Schools, Delta College, SVSU) directly to high-demand careers, creating a seamless pathway from classroom to career and fulfilling the job creation mission.
  • Community Investment: The Township’s local strategic projects—from the State Street revitalization to the Mall Area Redevelopment and $20 million infrastructure expansion—ensure that the commercial and residential amenities match the new economic engine.
  • Quality of Life: Investing in recreational opportunities like expanded pathways, new playgrounds, and winter activities creates the quality of life that retains young families and professionals.

By fostering strong partnerships among government, business, and education, the Great Lakes Bay Region is demonstrating that when communities come together, they can confidently build a future of sustainable jobs and prosperity for all.

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Note on Content Creation: This historical overview and analysis were generated by an AI language model to synthesize, structure, and articulate the requested information based on provided research materials, ensuring accuracy and transparency.

The following sources were used to develop this historical report:

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