Defense | Industries | Michigan Business

From the Arsenal of Democracy to the Arsenal of Innovation, Michigan’s defense industry ranks high above the rest. In partnership with the Michigan Defense Center, MEDC acts as a liaison between the state and defense interests in the federal government, defense agencies, the defense industry, academia and the defense community. The Michigan Defense Center develops and offers defense specific resources to assist Michigan companies in doing business in federal contracting and the supply chain.

Defense Industry Services

Proposal & Grant Writing

Improve your chances of winning a federal contract with this grant program that assist Michigan firms in writing a winning bid response. Grant funds can subsidize up to 50% of the cost of proposal writing services.

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Bid Targeting System

BTS is a online software that helps identify and prioritize federal contracts right for your business. With thousands of federal contracts available, BTS uses your business profile to automatically identify federal contract opportunities.

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Cybersecurity Grant Program

This comprehensive, one-stop shop provides a solution to the federal mandate, driving standardization, accountability and cost-effectiveness for Michigan’s small and medium-sized defense contractors.

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Mission Focused. Michigan Made.

Michigan is where the automotive industry got its start. More than 100 years later, it’s still the global center and nexus of commercial automotive, electrification and military vehicle technology. Locating in Michigan is an opportunity for your company to connect to the next generation of vehicle innovation and cybersecurity leaders, as well as leverage world-class research, talent, manufacturing and technology assets.

MEDC leads the state's Protect and Grow Initiative, a comprehensive statewide effort for Michigan’s Defense, Defense Aerospace and Homeland Security Sectors.

Why Michigan for Defense

Did you Know?

Michigan is home to the nation’s largest ground vehicle defense companies and U.S. DoD major industry such as General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE Systems, GE Aviation, GM Defense, and more.

Nearly 4,000 Michigan businesses are engaged in defense and aerospace work.

The defense industry contributes $30 billion in economic activity for the state of Michigan. In 2020, the economic impact of defense spending to Michigan was up 8%.

The Michigan National Guard boasts five major installations and additional armories, including the National All-Domain Training Center in Grayling, and one of the largest Air National Guard bases in the nation at Selfridge in Macomb County.

Defense Success Stories

Northern Wings Repair

From their meager beginnings in a pole barn in the Upper Peninsula, Northern Wings has discovered that with the help and support of MEDC and its network of partners, the sky is the limit for its continued success. Read more...

Niowave

Laser technology is moving fast in Michigan. Looking to create the "Holy Grail" of lasers, the U.S. Navy turned to Lansing-based Niowave, Inc. to help develop their next generation of weaponry. Aided by a tax incentive package that allowed them to expand their facility and add more employees, Niowave is perfectly positioned to develop a free electron laser that's powerful enough to knock missiles out of the sky from miles away. It's just another example of how reaching new heights in high tech is Pure Michigan.

TM3 Systems

Deploying what you want, where you want it. In this technologically-advanced age, the military is looking to do this and more. That’s why they’re turning to companies like TM3 Systems, the premier developer of mobile microgrid power management systems. Following investments from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund, TM3 is creating solutions that reduce fossil fuel consumption while increasing remote quality and reliability. Giving the military a source of power that’s Pure Michigan.

Michigan is an Industry Leader

Mobility and Automotive Manufacturing

Michigan is the past, present and future of the global automotive industry.

Engineering Design and Development

As the world leader in automotive and mobility R&D, Michigan is driving the next generation of industry innovation.

Professional and Corporate Services

Companies continue to choose Michigan to locate their headquarters and businesses, tapping into the concentration of talent available for professional and corporate services industries.

Advanced Manufacturing

Michigan is building on its rich manufacturing heritage and technological know-how to develop the innovative, high-tech products of the future.

Life Sciences & Medical Devices

Michigan’s manufacturing prowess and core of world-class medical device companies make the state a top tier location for medical device development and manufacturing.

Tech

Michigan is leading the way in developing innovative solutions for protecting the security of systems and people across the state, country and world.

Semiconductor

Home to the largest producer of polysilicon in the U.S., Michigan’s ability to support the semiconductor industry extends from being the global epicenter of the automotive industry.

PURE DEFENSE

Mission Focused. Michigan Made.