Area Development
Due to a power purchase agreement between Consumers Energy and Heritage Sustainable Energy in Michigan, the companies will launch the state's first large-scale production of wind turbines fully made in Michigan. Northern Power Systems is the wind turbine manufacturer.

"The Heritage Garden Wind Farm project exemplifies all of the intended goals of the state's renewable energy standard: Michigan-based renewable energy generation supplied to Michigan utilities, investment in local economies via job creation, material purchases and an enhanced tax base; and investment in Michigan technology and manufacturing," said Heritage President and CEO Martin Lagina.

Northern Power Systems will produce the turbines in Saginaw, hiring up to 137 employees by 2014. The turbines are slated for the Upper Peninsula's Garden Peninsula.

Michigan is projected to create more than 30,000 wind manufacturing jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.