Latest news with #MichiganEconomicDevelopmentCorporation
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's goal to land a semiconductor factory in Michigan faces a setback
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's goal to land a semiconductor plant in Michigan before she leaves office will have to wait after a company that had its eye on a site near Flint changed course, according to the governor. Whitmer blamed the setback on national economic conditions in a July 16 statement. "Because of massive economic uncertainty at the national level, an advanced manufacturing company we were working with to bring a huge project to Michigan has decided not to move forward with plans to construct a semiconductor plant anywhere in the United States," Whitmer said. "Their board came to this decision amid national economic turmoil, which is at risk of worsening amid threats of even higher tariffs." The company was looking at Genesee County's Mundy Township for the project, according to Whitmer. The location near Flint is the state's last large available site of more than 1,000 acres and one of the last so-called megasites in the U.S., according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Sandisk had its eye on the site and agreed not to pursue other locations while working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to come to Michigan, according to documents related to the project provided by MEDC. The company declined to comment. The MEDC has referred to effort to lure Sandisk to Mundy Township as "Project Grit" and proposed a massive subsidy package for the company that included over $1.1 billion from Michigan's Critical Industry Program, which provides state funds to select companies that create jobs in the state, according to a letter of intent between the agency and the company. The agency also proposed state and local tax abatements and additional state funding for workforce development and site readiness, among other state support. In 2024, Michigan economic development officials approved a $250 million grant to prepare the site for an advanced manufacturing project. That came on top of $9.2 million in previously approved site readiness funding for the area. The governor vowed to press forward. "We will continue to compete with other states and countries to bring cutting-edge factories home to Michigan so we can create economic prosperity for workers and communities and lead the next century of advanced manufacturing," she said. But Whitmer added that economic headwinds nationally will make that task more difficult. Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, pushed back hard on Whitmer's claim that national economic conditions are to blame, describing the latest news in the quest to land a factory at Mundy Township a "failure." "President Trump's bold leadership is making it easier and more attractive than ever to create jobs in America. We simply need state leaders who are focused on making sure Michigan is the best possible place to build and grow," Hall said in a July 16 statement. Michigan Politics: Campaign crypto? U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar's investment pays off big-time ... so far State Sen. John Cherry, D-Flint, called Sandisk's decision "deeply disappointing" in a statement. "This project represented a generational opportunity to restore Genesee County's legacy as a manufacturing powerhouse and to position Mid-Michigan at the forefront of the global semiconductor industry," he said. Cherry said the company pointed to an uncertain economic climate "driven in large part by the Trump administration's chaotic tariff policies" in making its decision not to pursue a semiconductor factory. Whitmer explained why landing a semiconductor plant is a top priority for her during a May 30 keynote address at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference. "Being able to make chips top to bottom in America will allow us to stay on the cutting edge of AI. Whoever dominates this technology from design to production will dominate the 21st Century," she said. She set a timeline for securing a semiconductor plant by the end of 2026. Whitmer cannot run again due to term limits, and her successor will take office Jan. 1, 2027. Whitmer said in a Feb. 23 interview that economic development plans in Mundy Township were among the items on her federal agenda as she advocates for Michigan priorities in Washington, D.C., though she wouldn't say at the time whether the project would depend on landing federal funding. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer: Goal for Michigan semiconductor plant faces setback Solve the daily Crossword
Business Wire
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Torc Announces New Engineering Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Further Fuel Autonomous Vehicle Innovation
BUSINESS WIRE)--Torc, a pioneer in commercializing self-driving class 8 trucks, today announced the establishment of a new engineering center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As Torc continues its path toward commercialization in 2027, this strategic expansion will further accelerate the company's productization efforts and tap into the region's rich automotive and technology talent pool. As part of its effort to open the Ann Arbor location, Torc worked closely with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to secure incentives to support the expansion into Michigan, as Torc plans significant hiring in this region to grow its team and technical talent capabilities. Torc's Ann Arbor site will help drive critical product milestones. A diverse range of engineering roles will be based in the office, including expertise in machine learning, software, hardware, and systems engineering, alongside positions in product engineering, safety, and other key functions. "This strategic location is a natural fit for Torc as we continue to advance our autonomous technology,' said Jamie Swaim, Chief People Officer at Torc. 'Ann Arbor's proximity to the Detroit automotive industry and a wealth of high-tech talent, combined with the exceptional concentration of high-caliber universities and colleges, makes it an ideal environment for our growth and productization strategy. This new center will complement the strong engineering talent we already have across the nation." The new office, located in northeast Ann Arbor, will encompass approximately 32,000 square feet and will feature multiple collaboration spaces and hardware in the loop labs. 'We are pleased to support the continued growth and expansion of Torc, whose project is a testament to the strength of our state's mobility industry and Michiganders' superior skills,' said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. 'My congratulations and gratitude to Torc; we are honored to earn this investment. We look forward to celebrating your future success and that of the People, Places, and Projects who will benefit from your presence in the great state of Michigan.' Torc's decision to establish a presence in Ann Arbor underscores its commitment to fostering innovation and teamwork through strategic talent acquisition and collaboration within key technology and automotive ecosystems. For more information on Torc, please visit About Torc Torc, headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia, is a global leader and pioneer in trucking. Founded in 2005 at the birth of the self-driving vehicle revolution, Torc has over 20 years of experience in pioneering safety-critical, self-driving applications. Torc offers a complete self-driving vehicle software and integration solution and is currently focusing on commercializing autonomous trucks for long-haul applications in the U.S. In addition to its Blacksburg headquarters and engineering offices in Austin, Texas, and Montreal, Canada, Torc has a fleet operations facility in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas, to support the company's productization and commercialization efforts, as well as a presence in Ann Arbor, MI, to take advantage of the autonomous and automotive talent base in that region. Torc's purpose is driving the future of freight with autonomous technology. As the world's leading autonomous trucking solution, we empower exceptional employees, deliver a focused, hub-to-hub autonomous truck product, and provide our customers with the safest, most reliable, and cost-efficient solution to the market.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Joint House panel puts the screws to Marshall battery plant project
Christin Armstrong and Josh Hundt of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation take questions at a joint meeting of the House Oversight Subcommittees on Homeland Security and Foreign Influence, Corporate Subsidies and State Investments on June 11, 2025. | Kyle Davidson Members of two separate House Oversight subcommittees joined together on Wednesday as representatives continued their interrogation of incentives for battery manufacturing projects across the state. Up for discussion was the Marshall BlueOval Battery Park. Announced in 2023, the $3.5 billion project was initially expected to create 2,500 jobs, though Republicans have raised alarms about the project due to a licensing agreement between plant-owner Ford and a Chinese battery company. Earlier this year, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. or CATL – who has agreed to license its battery technology to Ford for production at the facility – was placed on the U.S. Department of Defense's list of 'Chinese military companies' found to be operating directly or indirectly within the U.S. As a result the company is barred from entering contracts with the Department of Defense. When Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin rejected Ford's bid to establish the plant in his state due to its ties to CATL, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said he made a political determination and emphasized that Michigan would continue to compete for every economic opportunity. She later celebrated when Michigan was selected as the site for the project calling it a 'generational investment.' While the Michigan Economic Development Corporation was aware of the project's ties to CATL prior to awarding funding to Blue Oval for the project, the Chinese company's involvement was not a secret, the corporation's Chief Operating and Performance Officer Christin Armstrong said. Armstrong and the corporation's Senior Project Marketing Advisor Josh Hundt each noted China's near-monopoly on battery technology, with Ford aiming to bring that technology to the U.S. to break their control of the electric vehicle market. However, members of the committees questioned why the automaker hadn't simply partnered with companies from non-hostile nations like Japan or South Korea instead. Ford did not respond to an emailed request for comment. While it would greatly benefit the U.S. to develop its own technology to boost America's electric vehicle manufacturing, the Economic Development Corporation views the project as a way for Ford to make its vehicles more competitive, providing it with access to battery technology and employment for American workers, Hundt said. With U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) introducing legislation to subject vehicles and vehicle parts manufactured in countries of concern like China to a security review, Rep. Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville) asked whether concerns at the national level factored into the economic development corporation's decision making. Hundt explained that by utilizing CATL's tech, Ford avoids the alternative of importing batteries from China, allowing the automaker to reduce its dependency on China and other foreign manufacturers. 'Our role is to help make sure that we are seeing a disruption of this current Chinese monopoly that, frankly, nobody wants to see,' Hundt said. 'We need to see both the technology and the manufacturing take place here, and this is a way to begin to make that happen.' Joe Cella, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Fiji during President Donald Trump's first term, raised further concerns about potential threats from the Chinese government. 'I will preface my remarks by stating that China is on the hunt, and our footing nationally and the states is not commensurate with this threat,' Cella said, referencing three Chinese citizens with ties to the University of Michigan who were arrested for smuggling biological agents into the country. He pointed to requirements in Chinese law demanding Chinese-based companies, no matter where they are located, to surveil, collect and report as directed. 'In other words, conduct espionage,' Cella said, previously noting that CATL had begun hiring for positions at the Marshall plant through its U.S.-based subsidiary. Should this deal ever come to fruition in Michigan, it would only be a matter of time until espionage begins, Cella said, noting that Battle Creek Air National Guard Base and Fort Custer are located nearby. Alongside questions on Ford's deal with CATL, Armstrong and Hundt fielded questions on the specifics of the project following Ford's decision to downsize the effort. Now expected to deliver 1,700 jobs rather than 2,500, Armstrong said the project is still underway, with plans to wrap construction and start hiring by 2026. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rafael Systems Global Sustainment (RSGS) Opens Michigan Office
RSGS Expands to Better Serve Industry and Government Customers STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- We are excited to announce the opening of our new RSGS office in Sterling Heights, Michigan. This expansion marks a significant milestone in our journey, reflecting our commitment to providing exceptional service to our industry and government customers, while fostering growth within the Michigan defense community. By establishing a stronger presence in Michigan, we are enhancing our capabilities and resources to better meet customer needs. The Sterling Heights location also establishes a fully sovereign U.S. operation, reinforcing our long-term commitment to American defense priorities and generating new job opportunities. "The opening of our Michigan office demonstrates that RSGS continues to invest in the long-term needs of a robust Americanization effort focused on cutting-edge technologies to support our warfighters. Our focus is to work closely with both our industry and government customers in a collaborative nature to ensure we deliver capabilities critical to the fight." — LTG (Ret.) Joseph Anderson, President & CEO, RSGS Our Michigan team consists of seasoned professionals with over 60 years of combined experience in the active protection systems community. Leading the team is Marc Shepard, Vice President and General Manager, who joined RSGS on May 1, 2025, bringing with him 23 years of defense industry experience. "We're excited to be in Michigan and closer to the customers and partners who are shaping the future of defense. Our team is eager to contribute to the region's strong innovation ecosystem and deliver solutions that matter." – Marc Shepard, VP and GM, RSGS We are strategically located in the heart of Michigan's defense corridor in Sterling Heights. This location ensures close proximity and accessibility to our government customers, prime contractors, and key partners. The exceptional support provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Office for Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI), Macomb County, and the City of Sterling Heights has been instrumental in RSGS's successful launch in the state. "We are pleased to welcome RSGS into the Michigan ecosystem and look forward to partnering with them further. They are going to be a great asset to the defense community in Macomb County," Jeanne Schabath-Lewis, Stakeholder Engagement Director at the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation. We look forward to this exciting new chapter and to forging strong partnerships across Michigan as we deliver mission-critical capabilities to support and protect our nation's warfighters. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Rafael Systems Global Sustainment Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ideaForge Demonstrates UAV Prowess at U.S. Government-Backed Michigan's Uncrewed Triple Challenge
SAN ANTONIO, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ideaForge Technology Limited, a global leader in drone technology, is proud to be recognised by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), a U.S. government body, to exhibit at the prestigious Uncrewed Triple Challenge (UTC) in Michigan, USA. As part of this recognition, ideaForge was awarded a $10,000 grant to support its participation at the event. The UTC is a first-of-its-kind, state-sponsored event that brings together uncrewed systems across sea, air, and land. Organized in collaboration with the Michigan National Guard, Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Department of Transportation, and the MEDC, the UTC aims to drive innovation in autonomous drone technologies by showcasing next-generation capabilities to a diverse audience of military, state, and local agencies. While ideaForge did not compete in the challenge, its invitation to exhibit underscores the trust and credibility placed in its technology by a prominent U.S. state institution. It also highlights the growing global recognition of India's indigenous UAV capabilities. At UTC, ideaForge showcased its flagship UAV solutions, the SWITCH and NETRA V4 PRO—demonstrating their advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) features, operational endurance, and reliability across demanding mission profiles. These systems are designed for critical applications in defense, homeland security, and emergency response. Ankit Mehta, CEO of ideaForge Technology Limited, said, "We are honoured to receive this grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and to be invited to exhibit at the Uncrewed Triple Challenge. This recognition by a U.S. government body is a strong testament to the credibility, capability, and global relevance of our UAV platforms. We look forward to engaging with stakeholders from across defense and public sectors to demonstrate how ideaForge delivers autonomy and performance for mission-critical operations." Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation added, "We are pleased to welcome ideaForge to the Uncrewed Triple Challenge. Their participation represents the spirit of innovation that this event aims to celebrate. ideaForge's UAV platforms will contribute valuable perspectives to our stakeholders and support broader dialogue around the adoption of advanced autonomous systems." ideaForge's presence at the UTC reinforces its expanding international footprint and commitment to delivering indigenous, high-performance drone solutions for defense and enterprise needs. The company continues to strengthen its position as a pioneer in drone innovation, with a focus on mission-critical applications that include defense, security, and enterprise use cases. As part of its growing U.S. presence, ideaForge has also previously announced a strategic collaboration with Skylark Labs and partnership and investment with Vantage Robotics further reinforcing its role in advancing drone technology through collaboration and cross-border innovation. About ideaForge Technology Limited ideaForge is a pioneer and the pre-eminent market leader in the Indian unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry. With a mission-first approach, we deliver cutting-edge drones engineered for unmatched performance, autonomy, and reliability, redefining possibilities in security, mapping, surveillance, and disaster response applications across militaries and enterprises. With India's largest operational deployment of indigenous UAVs, an ideaForge drone takes off every 3 minutes, enabling over 6,50,000 successful flights. Ranked 3rd globally among the world's Top Dual-Use Drone Manufacturers by Drone Industry Insights (DRONEII) Global Drone Review 2024, ideaForge continues to set benchmarks in innovation and excellence. Since pioneering India's first VTOL UAVs in 2009, we have expanded with advanced R&D and manufacturing hubs in Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and the USA, driving the development of indigenously designed and built solutions. Backed by marquee investors, including Qualcomm, Infosys, Celesta Capital, Florintree, EXIM Bank, and Infina Finance, ideaForge is at the forefront of revolutionizing unmanned systems. Discover more: About Michigan Economic Development Corporation The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter. Logo: View original content: SOURCE ideaForge
