Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the release of Michigan’s Defense and Aerospace Strategic Plan, a five-year roadmap aimed at growing the defense and aerospace sectors. As competition intensifies in this arena, the plan seeks to position the state to lead in defense, aerospace, maritime, and space innovation.
Key Points:
-
- The plan was developed by the Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation, which is housed within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
- It serves as a living document, combining a clear mission and vision with adaptable appendices to guide Michigan’s efforts over the next five years as technology, national priorities, and global conditions evolve.
- The plan emphasizes close coordination with the Michigan National Guard and the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
The strategic plan is organized around three integrated lines of effort:
-
- Fostering Business Growth within Defense and Aerospace – Strengthening Michigan’s pipeline of high-impact projects, supporting dual-use technologies, expanding attraction, retention, and expansion efforts, and elevating Michigan’s profile through the national “Reimagine the Arsenal of Democracy” campaign.
- Amplifying Michigan’s Unique Advantages – Leveraging the state’s skilled workforce, world-class universities, robust manufacturing base, and defense assets to convert opportunity into impact, while preparing suppliers and workers to meet national defense needs.
- Setting Conditions to Advance Innovation – Accelerating applied research, expanding testing and evaluation capabilities, attracting innovation-driven enterprises, and ensuring Michigan remains a leader in next-generation defense and aerospace technologies.
Please click here to view the full plan.
