Michigan in a Position of Strength
As stockbrokers are fond of saying, past performance is no guarantee of future success. Certainly Michigan’s manufacturers face many challenges, from the unsettled outlook for trade and tariffs to the slower-than-expected market demand for electric vehicles. But as Gov. Whitmer said, Michigan starts from a strong position, with a century of manufacturing prowess behind it, legions of skilled engineers and technicians, and a work ethic second to none. If you were wagering on the future, Michigan’s assets would make the state a good bet.
Manufacturing Prowess Runs Deep
Today, the state’s signature auto industry remains strong, with more than 1.2 million jobs tied to the industry, according to MichAuto, an arm of the Detroit Regional Chamber. And these are some of the bestpaying jobs in the marketplace, with average compensation in the industry of $71,547.
But Michigan’s manufacturing muscle goes far beyond giants like General Motors and Ford. There are leading auto suppliers like Lear Corp., headquartered in Southfield, and Stryker, a leading maker of medical devices headquartered in Portage near Kalamazoo. And Michigan’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem has spawned startups like Orbion Space Technology, maker of propulsion systems to nudge satellites into their proper orbits, headquartered in Houghton.
Detroit is a Center of Startup Activity and Innovation
Michigan increasingly draws the eye of big-time venture investors who can bankroll future progress. During 2023, Michigan’s entrepreneurial startups enjoyed more than $1 billion invested into Michigan-based portfolio companies. And Detroit has emerged as a center of startup activity, ranking second among startup ecosystem growth worldwide, according to industry analyst PitchBook’s recent Growth Score research.
Where will innovation come from? Many places. There are hubs to nurture startups like TechTown at Wayne State University and Newlab at Ford’s Michigan Central campus catering to mobility startups. The University of Michigan is building its Center for Innovation at the Ilitch family’s District Detroit to house hundreds of researchers.
Michigan also has a major defense industry in Macomb County at places like the Army’s TACOM that manages the Army’s ground equipment supply chain, and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, a key defense hub and economic anchor that supports thousands of jobs and hundreds of military families in Macomb County.
Community Colleges Have a Key Role to Play
There are also the community colleges and universities turning out an increasingly sophisticated workforce.
And, as cited recently by Gov. Whitmer, there is the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing, or M3, Initiative, a job training program built in partnership with Macomb County and Macomb Community College to prepare thousands of Michiganders for careers in maritime welding and machining.
Referencing that maritime training program, Gov. Whitmer quipped, “Together, we can train thousands of Michiganders to do what they do best — GSD — Get Ship Done!”
When America Innovates, It Wins
A key strength: Michigan has leaders who continue to point the way to innovation and growth. As Bill Ford, Executive Chair of Ford, said when he opened the beautifully remade Michigan Central Station in Detroit as a hub of idea generation, “Five years ago, we set out to create a place that would accelerate Detroit and our region’s role in solving the most pressing mobility challenges and change people’s lives for the better. We see an opportunity to bring new companies and jobs to Michigan, while also attracting the best and the brightest talent for our industry.”
Or as Gov. Whitmer said in her recent speech, “The bottom line… when America innovates and when America builds… America wins.” And so can Michigan.
Gov. Whitmer and County Executive Mark Hackel celebrate the first graduates of Macomb Community College’s Maritime Manufacturing (M3) 17-week training program who are prepared to work in Southeast Michigan’s defense sector.
