Research-and-development agreement boosts state’s defense industry

“Michigan has been a leader in the defense sector for decades and the industry is a major contributor to our economy,” Calley said. “With our assets, our state is well positioned to grow new opportunities, and the ‘Protect and Grow’ plan allows us to proactively develop this important business sector.”

The plan aligns with federal Department of Defense spending planned over the next decade and the state’s existing defense industry infrastructure and resources, which has historically played a significant role in U.S. military operations. Michigan’s defense industry supports 105,000 jobs and represents an $8 billion economic impact on the state’s economy.

The Protect and Grow plan includes 17 recommendations to preserve current defense assets, missions and jobs and foster innovation:

• Promote and safeguard acquisition, technology and logistics capabilities at the Detroit Arsenal; 
• Invest state resources to enhance military installations and defense and homeland security missions ; 
• Expand training ranges and opportunities;
• Maximize the Michigan congressional delegation’s deferral influence and support for military installations; 
• Strengthen and promote the link between defense and domestic auto and establish an autonomous vehicle corridor on I-69; 
• Leverage partnership opportunities between academia, industry, local government and DOD/DHS entities within the state; 
• Lead the nation in DOD/state cyber-operations integration; 
• Secure East Coast missile defense ground-based interceptor site at the Fort Custer Training Center; 
• Publicize the importance of the Soo Locks to national security and advocate for funding; 
• Establish an innovation center at the Detroit Arsenal; 
• Promote and expand economic gardening tools for Michigan companies; 
• Target and invest resources in growth areas including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, 3-D printing and autonomous systems; 
• Pursue opportunities and branding to lead the nation in DOD and state sponsored renewable energy solutions; 
• Build and promote an asset database to leverage in-state testing and evaluation capabilities;
• Study impacts and military research and development tax incentives and best practices in other states; 
• Connect veteran talent to Michigan industries; and
• Create new branding for the defense industry in Michigan.

“This report concludes a very obvious fact, which is that advancing and protecting Michigan’s defense capabilities and our defense industries require a bipartisan approach,” said U.S. Representative Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township.
“A principle advocacy of mine has been protecting Selfridge Air National Guard Base from BRAC, which I have done successfully over the last four decades,” said Miller. “In Macomb County, as we’ve transitioned from the Arsenal of Democracy to the Arsenal of American Innovation, we are extremely proud of the work that we’ve done to bring all of these defense contractors into our community, helping to preserve and improve Michigan’s critical role in our national defense and Homeland security.”