Latest news with #MichiganEconomicDevelopmentCorporation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- 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
Epoch Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Corning Boosts Manufacturing Investment to $1.5 Billion, Citing ‘Increasing Demand' for US-Made Components
Materials science company Corning Inc. is boosting investment at its upcoming solar component-manufacturing facility in Saginaw County, Michigan, to $1.5 billion, the company said in an April 29 Corning had initially allocated up to $900 million for the manufacturing facility, which was expected to create more than 1,100 jobs. The investment expansion will create 400 'new high-paying advanced manufacturing jobs,' it said, adding that the decision to dial up funding was taken 'to support increasing demand for U.S.-made solar components.' 'The company's increased manufacturing capacity will enable Corning to supply high-quality solar wafers and help strengthen the domestic solar supply chain with industry-leading solar manufacturers,' it said. The company's CEO, Wendell P. Weeks, said Corning was 'proud to meet the increasing demand for U.S.-sourced solar products by accelerating the ramp of our advanced manufacturing assets and support the nation's priority of domestic energy security.' Last year, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Related Stories 4/28/2025 4/28/2025 Starting wages at the facility are expected to be above the median wage in the region. To support the project, Michigan Strategic Fund has approved multiple grants and incentives valued at more than $109 million. Corning's decision to boost manufacturing capacity in the United States comes amid the Trump administration's tariffs on imports. On April 2, President Donald Trump announced a 10 percent universal baseline Importing foreign-made components will prove costly to companies, as they now have to pay high import duties. Shifting production stateside makes business sense in such circumstances. During an April 29 'The president's implementation of reciprocal tariffs earlier this month with rates of 26 percent, 24 percent, and 46 percent applicable to India, Malaysia, and Vietnam, respectively, creates a significant economic headwind for our manufacturing facilities in these countries selling into the U.S. market,' he said. 'While the subsequent 90-day pause to the effectiveness of these tariffs and the application of a 10 percent universal tariff partially mitigates the impact, the lower rate would still result in a meaningful adverse gross margin impact to sales into the United States, absent the duty being fully passed through to the module buyer.' Tariffs on China-Backed Solar Imports On April 21, the Department of Commerce The decision follows a 2024 complaint filed by American manufacturers alleging that Chinese-owned companies in the four countries were dumping solar products into the United States at unfairly low prices and harming America's solar sector. The department said companies located in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam were receiving subsidies from China. The highest duties—3,521 percent—were charged on solar goods coming from Cambodia as companies in the country refused to cooperate with the U.S. investigation. Malaysia's Jinko Solar was charged a tariff of 41.56 percent, and Thailand's Trina Solar faces duties of 375.19 percent. 'These are among the first CVD [countervailing duty] investigations wherein Commerce has made an affirmative finding that companies received transnational subsidies,' the department said. The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which led the case, welcomed the Commerce Department's decision. In an April 21 The decision 'confirms what we've long known: that Chinese-headquartered solar companies have been cheating the system, undercutting U.S. companies, and costing American workers their livelihoods,' he said. 'Enforcing our trade laws isn't just a legal matter—it's essential to rebuilding our industrial base, securing our energy independence, and protecting American jobs.' The tariffs must now be approved by the U.S. International Trade Commission, which has until June 2 to decide on the matter. The domestic U.S. market is expected to see robust demand for solar power generation capacity this year. A Feb. 24 This accounted for 61 percent of total electricity-generation capacity additions in the country last year. The EIA expects the trend to continue through 2025 as well, projecting 32.5 GW of solar capacity additions. 'Texas (11.6 GW) and California (2.9 GW) will account for almost half of the new utility-scale solar capacity addition in 2025,' said the analysis. 'We expect five other states—Indiana, Arizona, Michigan, Florida, and New York—each to account for more than 1 GW of added solar capacity in 2025 and collectively account for 7.8 GW of planned solar capacity additions.'
Associated Press
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
DEKRA Celebrates Grand Opening of Michigan Automotive Advanced Testing Laboratory for Future Mobility
Plymouth, MI, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DEKRA, a global leader in safety, security, sustainability, testing & certification is proud to announce the grand opening of its Michigan Automotive Test Center of Excellence, located at 47603 Halyard Drive in Plymouth. The event will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET. The grand opening marks the culmination of DEKRA's investment in Michigan, announced in 2024 in partnership with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The facility was designed to support the rapidly evolving needs of the mobility industry—providing testing, validation and certification services for electric vehicles (EVs), automotive electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), reliability testing services, automotive connectivity technologies and Digital Trust Services which integrates testing and certification of cybersecurity, functional safety and AI. What sets the new Test Center apart is its unique status as the only TIC organization in North America capable of providing this extensive range of services under one roof. Highlights include: environmental simulation, high-voltage EMC testing, Authorized Test Laboratory for Apple MFi CarPlay and CarKey Certification, the Car Connectivity Consortium, and advanced cybersecurity testing and certifications, specifically penetration testing for components, full vehicles, and compliance with standards like ISO 21434 or regulations like RED-DA or UN R155, among others. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, keynote speakers, and a networking reception with DEKRA leaders and industry experts. Attendees will also enjoy guided tours of the new facility and explore exhibits showcasing DEKRA's capabilities. Event Schedule (ET) Why You Should Attend Whether you're an automotive professional, technology leader, government official, or simply passionate about the future of mobility, this event offers a front-row seat to the innovation critical to the next generation of transportation. Attendees will get an exclusive look at how DEKRA is helping to drive safety, performance, and sustainability in partnership with Michigan's world-class automotive ecosystem. This is a rare opportunity to connect with industry experts, tour a cutting-edge facility, and experience firsthand how DEKRA is powering progress in one of the world's most dynamic sectors. Registration is required. Reserve your spot today: About DEKRA For 100 years, DEKRA has been a trusted name in safety. Founded in 1925 with the goal of improving road safety through vehicle inspections, DEKRA has become the world's largest independent, non-listed expert organization in testing, inspection, and certification. Today, as a global partner, the company supports its customers with comprehensive services and solutions to drive safety and sustainability forward. With over 48,000 employees, we provide qualified and independent expert services in approximately 60 countries across five continents. DEKRA holds a Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing it among the top 1% of the world's most sustainable companies. For more information, visit: Attachment Joshua Hiemstra DEKRA North America, Inc. [email protected]
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Statewide climate tour comes to West Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — As part of Earth Month, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's statewide climate tour came to West Michigan Monday, highlighting local projects and businesses tackling climate change. MEDC's chief growth officer, Hilary Doe, and her team made their first stop Monday at Brewery Vivant, where staff brew and cook with solar energy from 192 panels installed on the roof above. They also compost and recycle with local partners to achieve near-zero landfill waste and aim to have at least 50% of their menu's proteins, produce, grains and dairy be locally sourced. Kent County skips landfill, moves forward with new method of waste management 'We have such a diverse agricultural economy in the state that when you can be inspired by what's growing right now … those little constraints create an opportunity to be innovative or just really focused on how we can connect people to their local environment. I think that serves as inspiration for the team,' said Kris Spaulding, owner and founder of Brewery Vivant. Federal funding cuts could hurt lakeshore conservation efforts 'Sustainable practices, in fact, really help Michigan's economy. It's a growth driver. We're helping create new jobs with these sustainable industries, for example, and our local small businesses are implementing these practices to great effect and bringing more customers through their doors,' Doe said. Other stops included a microgreens farm that grows food indoors year-round, a fashion reuse company turning textile waste into new products, and a landfill-free label manufacturer. The MEDC projects about 160,000 clean energy jobs will be created over the next decade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
