Michigan has been home to The Dow Chemical Company since 1897. While our products, businesses and operations have evolved over the course of the past century, our commitment to our employees and our communities has remained the same.
The Dow Michigan Operations Industrial Park (I-Park) represents the future of innovation in the Great Lakes Bay Region. It will serve as a hub of technology, growth, partnership, and manufacturing excellence.
The I-Park ushers in a new era of collaboration for Dow and the other tenant companies on site. Working collectively, these companies are focused on safe operations, employee excellence and talent development, production efficiencies, and a commitment to the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Visitor access to the I-Park will be via an Alden Dow-inspired entrance, under construction on South Saginaw Road. This will be the new gateway to the 2,600-acre site and a work home to more than 7,000 employees and contractors.
I-Park Tenants
Tenants of the Michigan Operations I-Park will be able to take advantage of best-in-class manufacturing assets, and operate within outstanding safety and environmental standards.
Cabot Corporation
A leading global specialty chemicals and performance materials company serving key industries such as transportation, infrastructure, environment and consumer.
Corteva Agriscience
Offering a comprehensive and diverse portfolio of advanced agricultural products, including seed products, based on elite germplasm and crop protection products for insect, cereal weed, broadleaf and grass, and disease control.
Dow Materials Science
Superior solutions for high growth markets in Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings, built on the strongest and deepest chemistry and polymers toolkits in the industry.
DuPont Specialty Products
High performance materials and technologies for the Electronics & Imaging, Transportation & Advanced Polymers, Safety & Construction and Nutrition & Biosciences industries.
SK Saran
A full range of basic materials and value-added products for the petrochemical industry, including high-performing olefins, aromatics and polymers.
Trinseo
Global solutions for today’s manufacturers, including polycarbonate compounds and blends, latex binders, synthetic rubber and styrenics, based on the combined technologies and capabilities of four Dow businesses.
To get a full understanding of the implications of this change, Dow has taken several steps to evaluate the impact before proceeding with the formal City of Midland application process to vacate the road. These steps include:
Most importantly, Dow understands this change will affect residents, neighbors and visitors who travel this roadway.
To understand the impact of closing S. Saginaw Rd. between Mark Putnam Rd. and Salzburg Rd., Dow conducted 24 community engagement meetings with interested residents and met with dozens of community leaders, civic groups, government officials and interested individuals. We are committed to continuing the community dialogue as we move ahead with the process.
Since its founding, Dow has been an active community partner, contributing to the well-being of the region in numerous ways. Most recently, between 2006 and 2016, Dow contributed more than $450 million to the economy through regional investments that include Dow Diamond, East End, H Hotel, restaurants and conferencing, airport investments and general philanthropy, among other efforts.
Dow believes this change will result in additional positive economic impact for the company, the community and local businesses. To fully understand the company’s economic impact in the region, Dow has commissioned Northwood University, in partnership with other respected universities, to analyze and quantify the economic relationship between Dow and the Midland community. This information will help us better understand the vital economic linkages that exist between the company and the region.
Dow puts safety first. Always. This change will enable important safety and security improvements that adhere to Department of Homeland Security guidance, especially its “Deter, Detect and Delay” security protocol, which recommends barriers to humans and vehicular traffic, monitoring and detection systems, security lighting and protective forces to help reduce risk from unwelcome actions. Our manufacturing sites are safe, and we intend to keep it that way.
Engineering firm DLZ studied the new traffic volumes along alternate routes if non-Dow traffic is rerouted away from South Saginaw Road. DLZ also recommended traffic control upgrades and some changes to existing roadways that would help lessen the impact. With these upgrades, all roads along alternate routes would have sufficient capacity to handle projected increases in traffic volume, DLZ determined. Dow will pay for all recommended traffic upgrades and fund the reconstruction of Waldo Ave. to withstand increased traffic levels.
The expected alternate route, along the Bay City Road/Waldo Avenue commercial corridor, would add about seven-tenths of a mile, or between 90 and 180 seconds to a trip, depending on time of day and traffic light cycles. Trips between Midland and Freeland would shift to U.S. 10/M-47, which would not add any time to a trip.
Dow is proposing to consolidate the Dow and Dow Corning manufacturing sites on
S. Saginaw Road into a unified location, which would require closing less than one mile of Saginaw Road and rerouting thru traffic along Bay City Road and Waldo Ave.
To study the impact of closing Saginaw Road between Mark Putnam Road and Salzburg Road, Dow engaged top-ranked engineering consultants DLZ to complete a traffic study.
DLZ collected traffic data at 10 intersections on typical weekdays in April 2016. These intersections included, among others:
The traffic study determined that after the closure, there would be about 600 more cars per hour traveling through the intersection of Waldo Ave. and Bay City Rd. at peak traffic times. Although this increase may seem sizable, the traffic load is still well below a level where the Michigan Department of Transportation would typically recommend adding an additional lane on Bay City Road or Waldo Ave.
In general, roads are recommended for expansion beyond two-lane capacity when total daily traffic flow reaches or approaches 18,000 vehicles per day and/or 1,800 vehicles per hour during the peak afternoon/evening hour. Calculated peak and estimated total traffic on Waldo Ave is expected to remain significantly below these thresholds if the applicable section of Saginaw Rd is closed to public traffic. Peak hourly traffic on Waldo Ave is expected to be roughly 600 vehicles in each direction, with estimated total daily traffic expected to be approximately 10 times that level.
To accommodate the additional traffic load, DLZ made several recommendations, all of which will be implemented if the proposal is accepted.
Recommendations for road improvements to ensure a smooth and timely flow of traffic include:
Dow Corning Inc. was formed in 1943 as a joint venture between Dow and New York-based Corning Glass, with each of the two partners owning 50 percent of the venture. Dow Corning’s first production facility opening in 1945 in Midland. For roughly 70 years, Dow Corning operated separately from its two corporate parents.
In 2016, the ownership of Dow Corning was restructured. Dow is now 100 percent owner of Dow Corning’s silicones business, which now operates as a Dow subsidiary. Production facilities in Midland are now part of Dow Michigan Operations.
Details
In 2016, The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) and DuPont (NYSE:DD) announced their intention to merge the two companies. Dow and DuPont announced that, following the consummation of the merger, the combined company will pursue the separation of the combined company’s Agriculture business, Material Science business and Specialty Products business into three independent, publicly traded companies, subject to approval by the Dow/DuPont board and receipt of any required regulatory approvals.
The intended subsequent separation into three independent, publicly traded companies is expected to be consummated as soon as practicable following the merger closing, but consummation of the separations is not expected to exceed 18-24 months after the merger closing.
Details
Consolidating the two chemical facilities will increase Michigan Operations’ competitiveness for growth through enhanced safety and security measures, more efficient operations, and improved ability to retain existing assets and bring forth new opportunities for development and growth. Upon consolidation of the two chemical manufacturing facilities, the less than a mile portion of Saginaw Road that lies between the two sites would be vacated, causing non-Dow traffic to be rerouted to Bay City Road and Waldo Avenue.
As part of Dow’s commitment to safety and the community, we believe in mitigating any security risk to our assets and the communities we live and work in, to the most significant degree we can. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided guidance around applying Deter, Detect and Delay security measures, since barriers to humans and vehicular traffic, monitoring and detection systems, security lighting and protective forces may all help in reducing risk from unwelcome actions aimed at chemical facilities. The consolidation of the two chemical sites will improve the capability of Dow to enhance its capacity to Deter, Detect and Delay, and therefore enhance the safety and security of the community.
Since its founding, Dow has been an active community partner, contributing to the well-being of the community in numerous ways. Most recently, between 2006 and 2016, Dow has contributed more than $450 million dollars to the economy through regional investments that include Dow Diamond, East End, H Hotel, restaurants and conferencing, airport investments and general philanthropy, among other efforts.
Midland is working diligently towards creating a community of progress. This project will help contribute to the community’s endeavors to create a city that supports growth, while taking into consideration the needs of Dow.
This change also may allow for economic growth and increased commercialization of the Waldo Avenue corridor. Through an increase of traffic flow along Bay City Road and Waldo Avenue, the project has the ability to make a positive impact in this area.
The consolidation will enable growth, allow for substantial site efficiencies and productivity, and will help unify the site by eliminating both a physical and emotional barrier. Now that the Company is one, bringing the sites into one contiguous area adds to the spirit of a One Team mindset. Additionally, the investment will help increase its ability to compete within Dow and externally, for new business opportunities.
With regard to efficiencies and productivity, Michigan Operations would see improvements based on a new ability to:
Michigan Operations contracted with independent consultants DLZ to study the area’s traffic, forecast impacts from the traffic rerouting, and recommend changes.
DLZ is one of the top consulting firms in the architectural, engineering, and surveying industry.
The City of Midland recommended DLZ because of its reputation, because of its familiarity with the community, and because it is currently working with the City on other projects.
DLZ collected traffic data at 10 intersections on typical weekdays in April 2016. These intersections included, among others:
The traffic study determined that after the closure, there would be about 600 more cars per hour traveling through the intersection of Waldo Avenue and Bay City Road at peak traffic times. This traffic load is still well below a level where the Michigan Department of Transportation would typically recommend adding an additional lane on Bay City Road or Waldo Avenue.
Yes, Dow is offering a Property Purchase Program to affected owners of residential property on Waldo Ave. south of Bay City Rd. Details of this offer are being shared directly with homeowners.
Traffic engineering firm DLZ made several recommendations for a smooth flow of traffic, all of which will be implemented if the proposal is accepted.
Recommendations include:
Dow will pay for all signal and lane upgrades recommended by traffic engineering firm DLZ and will fund road reconstruction on Waldo Ave. to withstand the impact of increased traffic. In addition, Dow will work with the City of Midland to pursue added safety features for residents on Waldo Ave., such as the addition of crosswalk caution lights, additional speed limit and children playing signs, and signs directing trucks to use US-10 instead of Waldo Ave.
If this project is completed, Dow will allow emergency responders to pass through the site, ensuring that no additional distance is travelled.
Dow thoroughly investigated all options, considering impact to Dow, employees and the community. Both the bridge and tunnel are cost-prohibitive, with estimates to build costing more than $15 million and $30 million respectively. Additionally, both options create added safety and security concerns, versus enhancing safety and security which closing and rerouting that section of road would provide.
The City of Midland’s process for vacating road is described below:
Upon approval by the City of Midland, design work will begin soon after.
The entire project is expected to take 12-18 months to complete.
The grant application will open on February 1 and will close at 11:59 pm EST on September 30, 2021. Nonprofit organizations in North America invited to apply for a donation can access the application at the following link:
https://www.cybergrants.com/dow/applications/naasiteopen2021
Nonprofits who have accessed Dow’s online grant application for previous grant requests should use their existing login credentials. If you have difficulty remembering your password, a password reset link is available on the login page.
If you have not previously accessed Dow’s online grant application for prior grant requests, please email globalcontributions@dow.com with the following information:
Please contact globalcontributions@dow.com. Note: The Dow team typically provides much quicker service than the CyberGrants support team. The CyberGrants team is emailed when a nonprofit clicks “Need Help?” on the application page.
The application is now open and will remain open through September 30. Organizations are welcome to apply any time during this period, but are encouraged to apply early in the process. There will be three grant review periods.
Our 2023 grant review cycles are:
Any requests received by March 31 will be reviewed during the first grant period. Requests received after March 31 but before July 1, will be reviewed during the second grant period. And requests received July 1 or after, will be reviewed during the third grant period.
If your project or event takes place late in the year or very early next year, please apply in the grant cycle that will allow enough time for review and payment (6-8 weeks).
All grant applicants should apply for a grant using the following new application link.
https://www.cybergrants.com/dow/applications/naasiteopen2023
Links from previous years are no longer valid.
If you have questions or issues with the process, please reach out to globalcontributions@dow.com.
Thank you for your interest in Dow.
The Community Information Sessions will include more details on the Company's proposal and offer an opportunity for guests to ask questions. All are welcome to attend any of the sessions, but are encouraged to join their neighborhood’s specific event.
Date |
Neighborhood |
Location |
April 4 |
Freeland |
Freeland Sports Zone |
April 10 |
Bullock Creek |
Bullock Creek High School Auditorium |
April 12 |
General Public |
Midland Center for the Arts |
April 19 |
Bay City Road |
Valley Plaza Great Hall |
May 2 |
Mapleton |
Valley Plaza Great Hall |
May 4 |
Waldo Ave. |
Valley Plaza Great Hall |
Midland and Dow are working diligently towards creating a community of progress. Dow believes this site consolidation can be a catalyst for positive change, as we work together to ensure a thriving city that supports growth. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with residents, businesses and leaders in the Great Lakes Bay region and invite your input about this proposal.
Check here for news and updates as the process of considering site consolidation continues.
In the Great Lakes Bay Region, Dow engages in traditional and skills-based employee volunteerism as we look for opportunities to advance economic and social progress. We also use our product and technology solutions, along with traditional philanthropic giving, to address some of the region’s most pressing needs. We are committed to working alongside our community partners to identify and implement long-term solutions to community challenges.
Dow employees are the heart of everything Dow does and makes – and will continue to be at the heart of how we move forward here in Michigan. At home and across the globe, our colleagues directly apply their passion and expertise to advance the well-being of people and our communities.
The application is now open and will remain open through September 30. Organizations are welcome to apply any time during this period, but are encouraged to apply early in the process. There will be three grant review periods.
Our 2023 grant review cycles are:
Any requests received by March 31 will be reviewed during the first grant period. Requests received after March 31 but before July 1, will be reviewed during the second grant period. And requests received July 1 or after, will be reviewed during the third grant period.
If your project or event takes place late in the year or very early next year, please apply in the grant cycle that will allow enough time for review and payment (6-8 weeks).
All grant applicants should apply for a grant using the following new application link.
https://www.cybergrants.com/dow/applications/naasiteopen2023
Links from previous years are no longer valid.
If you have questions or issues with the process, please reach out to globalcontributions@dow.com.
Thank you for your interest in Dow.
Organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a grant:
Examples of charitable organizations and/or activities that would not qualify for funding include:
We collaborate with partners who create social impact in our communities. We prioritize charitable investment in five priority areas: Advancing sustainable solutions, building inclusive communities, developing tomorrow's innovators, engaging employees for impact and community resiliency. Projects must align to one or more of the Dow Global Citizenship priority areas.
Learn more about Dow's Global Citizenship program in the community section our Dow Corporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report and see how we're accelerating efforts to create a more sustainable and equitable future.
An organization may apply by completing the CyberGrants on-line application form linked above. Representatives from Dow will review all applications received and will contact organizations, after the giving cycle closes, to notify if the request for funding was approved or declined. Please note, Dow would like to be able to assist all grant requests that meet its established criteria; however, each year it must decline many requests for the simple reason that its funds are limited. Consequently, an applicant should never view a determination to decline as a judgment on the merits of the proposal.
Grants of up to $1,000 are available to K-12 youth groups in the Great Lakes Bay Region who complete 50 collective hours of volunteer service and are affiliated with a non-profit organization or public/private school. These grants are administered by local foundations, based on funds available.
To apply, contact your local area community foundation:
Contact Information
Midland Area Community Foundation
Contact: Nicole Wilson
Email: nwilson@midlandfoundation.org
Phone: 989-839-9661, ext. 34
Website: www.midlandfoundation.org
Bay Area Community Foundation Contact: Lisa Bourdon-Krause
Email: lkrause@bayfoundation.org
Phone: 989-893-4438
Website: www.bayfoundation.org
Saginaw Community Foundation
Contact: Brian Jackson
Email: brian@saginawfoundation.org
Phone: 989-755-0545
Website: www.saginawfoundation.org
Sponsorships are available to non-profit organizations for fundraising or community events within the Great Lakes Bay Region that align to the priority areas listed above.
An organization may apply by completing the CyberGrants on-line application form. Representatives from Dow will review all applications received and will contact organizations, after the giving cycle closes, to notify if the request for sponsorship was approved or declined. Please note, Dow would like to be able to assist all sponsorship requests that meet its established criteria; however, each year it must decline many requests for the simple reason that its funds are limited. Consequently, an applicant should never view a determination to decline as a judgment on the merits of the proposal.
Organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a grant:
Note – faith based organizations may qualify, provided their proposed event is for the benefit of the community as a whole rather than just the members of the congregation
Dow's Corporate Center serves as the global headquarters for the 189 sites and 56,000 employees worldwide. The campus sits on 150 acres and has nearly one million square feet of building space. The Corporate Center is home to many Dow businesses and functions, as well as the Office of the Chief Executive.
The Dow Corning Center is situated on 275 acres of land near Auburn, Michigan. This campus houses administrative offices, as well as the premier R&D center. In addition to the 750,000 square feet of offices and laboratories, the campus also boasts a half-mile outdoor walking trail. Other amenities on site include fitness facilities, an employee cafeteria, and a combination of solar arrays that generates 50 kWh of electricity – enough to power about 10 average homes on a daily basis.
Dow’s first manufacturing location, Michigan Operations was established in 1897 and focuses on specialty manufacturing and R&D. MiOps has a world-class environmental management facility, including a fully licensed wastewater treatment plant and incinerator. Products researched, developed and/or manufactured at MiOps include:
Adhesives for bonding that make cars more light weight for increased fuel efficiency and coatings for airbags for enhanced safety features.
Multi-particulate technology for the pharmaceutical industry that extend the release time of active ingredients.
Material solutions that enable faster, smaller, and newer designs for electronic devices.
Herbicides and insecticides that protect crops like wheat, barley, rice, corn, cotton, and peanuts.
Trend-driven beauty, hair, and personal care ingredients that deliver solutions to help meet the needs of today’s consumers.
Performance enhancing materials that deliver the properties customers want, such as better paint coverage, noise reduction, and improved durability.
A variety of polymers used to create food and liquid packaging materials for improved shelf life, and a better end-use experience for the customer.
Proven and trusted healthcare materials for medical devices, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical tubing.
The East End facility in downtown Midland provides Dow's world-class employees with a premier work environment. Packed with innovation-centric features and the latest in technology, it accentuates Dow's focus on the future and has the flexibility to accommodate future growth.
Dow's Larkin Center is home to business, sales and research functions for Dow Building Solutions along with various other Dow businesses.
Dow's 100,000 square-foot, five-floor corporate office building in Bay City is designed to create easier collaboration and additional efficiencies for employees. The new Uptown waterfront development is about 15 miles from Midland and is a dynamic, walkable, and vibrant planned neighborhood featuring diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, and businesses.
Dow's State Street Center opened in January 2008 and has approximately 175 offices for Dow employees and third-party suppliers. The team members represent several functions, including Finance, Purchasing, Manufacturing and Information Systems, among others, who are working on next-generation Dow computer systems, joint ventures and other value added-projects. The 30,000 square foot State Street Center is located inside Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw Township.