Clinton County and the Lansing/Mid Michigan region is home to many high tech companies including advanced manufacturing, alternative energy, life sciences, and defense/homeland security.

Advanced Manufacturing

In Michigan, companies can leverage the state’s portion as the global capital of vehicle R&D with tens of thousands of engineers and scientists working toward new solutions. We understand what it  takes to develop new, innovative technologies, because manufacturing is in our DNA. That is why the world’s most innovative corporations, including every major vehicle-related manufacturer and supplier, have established over 330 R&D tech centers here–more than anywhere else in North America.

 As auto production continues to contract, Michigan’s economy is making the transition to a more diversified and resilient industrial base. Companies are finding opportunity in the production of everything from medical devices to military hardware and increasingly alternative energy technologies. With nearly 15,000 manufacturing establishments in the state, Michigan’s high-quality engineering and skilled manufacturing continue to attract employers in emerging 21st Century industries. Michigan’s advanced manufacturing strengths include:

• #1 state for vehicle-related R&D – spending $11.8 billion annually.
• #4 in the nation in research intensity (ratio of expenditures to gross state product).
• #4 in the nation for engineering graduates.
• Industrial and research assets at 360 research sites focused on industrial technology.
• Home to 47 of the top 50 global automotive suppliers.

Alternative Energy

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is leading the charge in the development of new markets for alternative energy in Michigan and beyond. They are aligning scientists, universities, policy makers, industry players, the natural resource management community and our engineering talent around the goal of creating the next generation of power provision for businesses, consumers and vehicles through alternative energy.

Advanced Energy Storage

Advanced Batteries and Energy Storage became a top priority because Michigan has distinct advantages and a solid infrastructure.Michigan—as home to more than 330 transportation R&D companies, 65,000+ engineers, and world-class engineering schools—was exceptionally positioned to address the critical national need of developing a domestic advanced battery manufacturing industry.

Michigan proactively launched two aggressive, first-of-their-kind incentive programs to seed the industry and complement federal funding opportunities – Centers of Energy Excellence and an advanced battery credits program that was ultimately funded with more than $1 billion.

• Since November 2008, Michigan has announced nearly $6 billion of investments in the advanced battery industry.
• The next generation of electric vehicles and the batteries that power them are estimated to create more than 60,000 new jobs in Michigan over the next decade.
• Nine of 10 top automotive OEMs developing Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), and Electric Vehicles (EVs) are in Michigan.
• In July 2010, President Obama participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for advanced battery manufacturing facility LG Chem/Compact Power in Holland, Michigan.

In 2009, the U.S Department of Energy allocated $2.4 billion to spur domestic development of new battery technology, advanced power trains, and vehicle platforms. Michigan answered the call with a strategy and investment commitment that was backed by its depth and breadth of automotive technology and manufacturing resources. These advantages led to Michigan’s $1.36 billion DOE award, which has created a future for growth in Michigan that just keeps improving:

Bioenergy

Bioenergy plays a key role in increasing our state’s energy independence and provides value added opportunities for existing Michigan businesses.

Michigan’s bioenergy sector development has focused on:

• Actively developing the bioenergy value chain.
• Enabling and accelerating production of second-generation non-food based biofuels.
• Improving efficiencies of thermochemical and biomass supply technologies.
• Developing value-added bioenergy waste-to-energy solutions for existing Michigan businesses.

Development efforts are promoting the sustainable production of bioenergy from renewable sources that will reduce our dependence on and consumption of oil and coal.

Michigan Advantage

Our State’s biomass assets are the foundation for the sustainable development of Michigan’s bioenergy sector.

Michigan is fast becoming the center of North America’s alternative energy industry. Michigan has the industrial capacity to manufacture, innovate, and deploy bioenergy technology, including supply chain integration and access to an abundance of biomass feedstock.

Biomass assets include agricultural residues, municipal waste streams, and sustainable unutilized forest growth and logging residues, with forest growth-to-removal ratios exceeding other regions in the country including the U.S. South. Supply chain infrastructure associated with Michigan’s robust forest and agricultural economy provides a strong foundation for new bioenergy ventures. Michigan’s bioenergy development is also supported by the State’s world class universities, an urgency to diversify our economy, and opportunities to implement bioenergy technologies that add value to existing Michigan businesses.

Solar

Michigan is becoming a leader in manufacturing technology that harnesses the unlimited energy of the sun.

Today, over one hundred companies active in the solar industry call Michigan their home, joining industry powerhouses like Hemlock Semiconductor Group and United Solar Ovonic. And more are being drawn here every day, attracted by an array of programs, resources, and incentives — the Michigan Advantage — that include an advanced manufacturing infrastructure, a high-tech workforce, and a leading scientific community. Michigan

• Has the nation’s most skilled workforce for the advanced manufacturing industry.
• Is home to one-third of the nation’s research and development facilities.
• Has unparalleled university resources and partnerships.
• Is 3rd in the nation for Industrial R&D Intensity (ratio of R&D spending to Gross State Product).
• Is 4th in the nation for engineering degrees awarded.
• Has outstanding transportation and highway systems and central U.S. location.

Wind Energy

Michigan is quickly becoming a hub of the clean energy economy, and our advanced manufacturing and engineering expertise is a perfect fit for the needs of the growing wind industry in Michigan. Whether it’s harnessing the wind energy to generate domestic energy, or wind turbines manufacturing and their component parts, Michigan has the alternative energy resources, infrastructure and supply chain in place that makes it the best place in the world for the wind energy manufacturing industry to locate and create jobs.

Michigan’s industrial base, tuned to supporting the needs of the automotive industry, has all the expertise and capacity to handle the advanced precision manufacturing needs of the wind energy industry. In fact, federal studies rank Michigan among the top four states in industrial capacity to develop and manufacture wind energy systems. Consider:

• Michigan leads the nation in industrial R&D investment spending per dollar of gross state product and trails only CA in total expenditure at $15.2B. (Vehicle R&D spending, for instance, is $10.7B with CA second at just over $2B).
• The University of Michigan ranks 2nd in the nation for R&D spending according to the National Science Foundation.
• Michigan ranks 4th in the nation for number of engineering graduates, and 7th for number of patents awarded.
• More than 65,000 engineers, specialists, and technicians make their home here.

Life Sciences

Starting in 1866 with the founding of Parke-Davis in Detroit and followed two decades later by Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan has been home to a life sciences with a 140-year legacy of biotechnology innovation. Michigan is geared toward both emerging and well-established companies looking to commercialize anything from the latest diagnostic tool to creative advancements in the world of pharmaceuticals.

 Michigan is experiencing an ever- growing presence of innovative start-up companies all of whom have one thing in common – they are developing leading-edge products for the marketplace. Combine this ingenuity with state-of-the-art Smart Zone accelerators and an abundance of scientific and clinical talent backed by world-renowned universities and Michigan is poised to take its place as a national leader in the life sciences industry.

More than 525 life sciences companies, organizations, and institutions are driving to revolutionize the biotech sector fueled by investments of more than $2 billion in research & development each year. Michigan legislation established the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor set to invest $1 billion over the next 20 years to facilitate the exponential growth of the life sciences research and development sector. Combined with the state’s creative incentive programs and customized economic development services, it is easy to see why thousands of innovators are choosing Michigan in making ground-breaking discoveries and thriving in Michigan.

Michigan’s life sciences industry is comprised of pharmaceuticals and ancillary services, biotechnology & agricultural biosciences, regenerative medicine, medical devices, instrumentation, and diagnostics – all of them thriving in an environment that fosters collaboration between academic ideas and entrepreneurial innovations. Since 2002 more than 122 new start-up companies have been formed here, fueling the accolade that ’Made in Michigan’ will once again change the world.

Defense and Homeland Security

Michigan has played an important role in defense and homeland security since World War II, when its engineering and manufacturing prowess helped equip and protect our nation’s soldiers and defenders.

Today, the sector is as important to our state and nation as ever. Michigan is home to an impressive number of military and defense-related facilities, including advanced research labs, testing grounds, and bases.

Michigan has placed special emphasis on the sector, helping both entrepreneurs and established firms within the state to diversify into the industry and land contracts with the Department of Defense and its prime contractors. Companies outside of Michigan are also choosing to locate in Michigan because of our talented and skilled workforce, technology infrastructure, and history of innovation.

 During World War II, the term “Arsenal of Democracy” became synonymous with Michigan. The government charged the auto companies with building 75 percent of all aircraft engines and nearly 80 percent of all tanks and tank parts for the war effort. Once again, Michigan is tapping into its manufacturing, engineering, and R&D talent to meet defense industry needs and reclaim the title of “Arsenal of Democracy”. From ground vehicles to advanced energy storage to robotics, Michigan’s industrial and R&D communities are well positioned to provide solutions to safeguard the lives of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.

In addition to its vehicle manufacturing sector, Michigan is home to thousands of businesses that contribute to a strong homeland defense, including engineering firms, tool and die shops, manufacturing, robotics, aerospace, electronics, lightweight composites, and other firms.

Key Defense Partners are “Right Next Door”

The location of key defense and ground vehicle facilities put Michigan companies at the epicenter in working with the Armed forces in areas like ground vehicles, robotics, advanced energy storage, and lightweight materials.

Michigan is the headquarters for:

U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC)

Headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, TACOM LCMC manages a diverse array of products ranging from combat and tactical wheeled vehicles to fuel cells and weapon systems. The Ground Vehicle Center of Excellence is operated by TACOM LCMC.

U.S. Army Tank Automotive

• Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) – TARDEC’s top priority is to deliver the mostadvanced technology solutions for improving the DoD’s entire ground vehicle fleet. TARDEC is the focal point for advanced ground vehicle solutions.
• The National Automotive Center (NAC) – Part of TARDEC, the NAC is the military’s focal point for collaborative ground vehicle research and development (R&D).
• Joint Center for Robotics (JCR) – In partnership with industry, academia, and other government agencies, JCR works to advance the best in robotic technologies in the interest of national security.
• Program Executive Office Combat Service & Combat Service Support’s (PEO CS&CSS) – PEO CS&CSS ‘s focus is to be prepared for changes in threat, technology, and mission while balancing the “Iron Triangle” of Protection – Payload – and Performance. Their four project managers — PM Tactical Vehicles, PM Force Projection, PM Joint Combat Support Systems, and PM Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles — strive to provide the right product, at the right time, from the right source, at the right price.
• Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS) – PEO GCS manages the development, acquisition, testing, system integration, product improvement, and fielding of ground combat vehicle systems such as the Abrams Tank, the Bradley family of vehicles, the Paladin, the Stryker family of vehicles, 155 and 105 millimeter Howitzer towed artillery cannons and Joint Robotics systems.

Military Facilities Located in Michigan

Michigan hosts several important bases and military facilities, including: Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center; Battle Creek Federal Center; 110th Fighter Wing: Battle Creek Air National Guard Base; Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center; Fort Custer Training Center; Michigan Army National Guard; and Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

Michigan Defense Center and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs)

The defense and homeland security industry is so important to Michigan that we’ve developed organizations to support and grow Michigan businesses. The Michigan Defense Center is building defense opportunities for Michigan. It works together with the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) matching the capabilities of Michigan entrepreneurs, companies, and researchers with federal contract opportunities.

The Defense Center’s team of seasoned professionals brings their military backgrounds and government contracting experience to:

• Attract defense and homeland security opportunities for Michigan.
• Develop and cultivate key strategic partnerships.
• Provide supply chain cluster solutions for defense industry buyers.
• Help buyers solve obsolescent part problems.
• Provide advice and recommendations to state policy leaders.

PTACs prepare Michigan businesses to compete for government contracts, educating them regarding the opportunities, requirements and process of becoming successful government contractors. PTACs provide pre- and post- award assistance, helping companies through the entire procurement process from registering as a government contractor and finding bid opportunities through proposal preparation and post-award modifications.

In 2009, the PTACs helped Michigan companies win $646 million in contracts. The State of Michigan is served by 12 regional PTAC offices, with locations ranging from the Western Upper Peninsula to lower Southeast Michigan. PTACs are funded by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and local partners. The Michigan Defense Center is administered by MEDC.

Deep Talent Pool and Supply Chain Infrastructure

Michigan has the manufacturing, engineering, and research and development talent and expertise to solve the defense industry’s toughest problems. With a higher concentration of ISO certified companies than anywhere else on the globe, Michigan companies continually demonstrate their ability to achieve and exceed performance, reliability, and quality standards. Who better than Michigan engineers and manufacturers to provide the technology solutions for improving the modern military?

Defense Capabilities Directory

The Michigan Defense Center is home to the Defense Capabilities Directory – an exclusive listing of Michigan based companies that are uniquely qualified to provide goods and services to the Department of Defense (DoD). The Directory is a unique, Internet-based database that catalogs the tremendous capabilities of Michigan manufacturers.

The goal is to provide defense buyers and prime contractors with an efficient search tool to find qualified companies that meet their procurement needs. By getting registered in the Directory, your company will have an even greater opportunity to sell to the DoD and prime contractors. Contacting your regional Procurement Center is the first step to being included in the directory.

Defense industry buyers can gain access by requesting a login, by emailing defensecenter@michigan.org, or by calling 1.800.946.6829. Contact the Michigan Defense Center today to find companies qualified, capable, and ready for defense contracting.

• Unmatched Value Chain: The plan that brought the advanced battery industry to Michigan tapped into existing value chain strengths. Michigan’s value chain for advanced battery and energy storage fills the spectrum. R&D, engineering, and prototyping, component manufacturing, testing and assembly. Michigan’s automotive legacy offers an advanced manufacturing infrastructure found nowhere else.
• Access to Talent: Michigan not only leads the country in the number of working engineers, but it is also one of the four best states at growing and graduating them. Michigan’s skilled manufacturing workforce, also a result of the State’s place in the automotive industry, is one of the most highly-trained in the world.
• Research & Development: Michigan’s vehicle-related R&D spending exceeds all others states and countries in North and South America – combined. And Michigan’s universities and colleges work together with business and industry to commercialize research.
• Strategic Growth: Michigan continues its tactical industry development, we are also anticipating the needs of the U.S. Smart Grid and energy production, transmission and storage.