Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel
has been named as the point man by Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration on
solidifying a Michigan label as the “Defense Capital of the Midwest.”
Here is the press release issued by Hackel’s office earlier today.
The
Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development has been
awarded a grant by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to
launch a statewide strategy for support of existing defense companies and to
also attract new defense business to the state.

Planned activities include a new website, promotional video, participation in
targeted national defense events and development of a robotics cluster. The
County will also organize three statewide events to encourage employers to
hire veterans.

The defense industry is important to Michigan’s economy. In the last decade,
more than 1,600 companies throughout the state have fulfilled U.S. Department
of Defense contracts valued at more than $4.6 billion. These contractors
are found in 71 of our state’s 83 counties and employ some 45,000
people.

“Macomb County companies receive nearly two-thirds of all of Michigan’s
defense work,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “It makes sense
for us to use our assets to attract new investment to the state.”

The $231,000 grant is part of the MEDC Collaborative Development Council’s
Regional Projects program. The department will work closely with the
Michigan Defense Center to develop a strategy for attracting key global
defense and homeland security companies to the state. Specific activities
will include 

  • developing a 60-second video
    aligned with the Pure Michigan campaign that showcases the state’s
    defense and homeland security industry as a tool for attracting new
    investment and jobs.
  • building a new website to
    highlight the strength of Michigan’s defense industry.
  • targeting and coordinating
    business attraction efforts through participation in selected trade
    shows.
  • facilitating activities
    centered on creating a robotics cluster.
  • coordinating three statewide
    events that will educate and motivate employers about the benefits
    associated with hiring veterans.
“The
first priority of the MEDC Michigan Defense Center is
to retain and grow jobs in the defense industry,” said MEDC
Director Sean Carlson. “Macomb County is an important regional
partner and we look forward to furthering our relationship through this
project.”

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