SAGINAW, MI Eventually, Central Michigan University expects to have more than 400students enrolled each year in its new medical college.

Roughly half of those students, those in their third and fourth years, will completely the majority of their coursework in two Saginaw hospitals and the adjacent facilities that CMU plans to build in 2013 and 2014.

Grant Elmquist, development officer for the new college, outlined the plans for the $25 million capital campaign and the impact it will have on the community to city leaders Monday, Jan. 25, during a tour of economic development initiatives in Saginaw.

"Hopefully next time you guys are here, you'll be wearing hardhats," Elmquist said. "We'll be breaking ground here fairly quickly."

He said this will the largest capital campaign in CMU history, though the $25 million will include construction on the Mount Pleasant campus as well.

In Saginaw, facilities are planned on both the campuses of Covenant HealthCare and St. Mary's of Michigan.

Elmquist said local leaders could expect the college moving into Saginaw will have a positive economic impact.

According to a 2008 study by the American Association of Medical Colleges, each $1 spent by medical schools and teaching hospitals can be expected to generate $1.30 in indirect revenue for the community. Having a college of medicine in the area can also eventually become a boon for the economy through a greater availability of grants for medical research, Elmquist said.

"That, to me, is one of the most exciting components," hesaid."

JoAnn Crary, presidentand CEO of Saginaw Future, said she plans to workclosely with CMU and local developers in hopes to connect students and faculty with residential and other opportunities nearby.

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Saginaw city officials get scoop on Central Michigan University Medical School developments