Oakland County joins partnership to expand defense contracting

A brand new financial initiative was aimed toward rising the alternatives of Southeast -Michigan within the protection {industry} that was launched on Thursday.

Organizers mentioned that the lengthy historical past of the automotive -industry of adjusting to help protection, house and superior manufacturing efforts is the premise for the success of the initiative.

Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties, the Detroit Regional Partnership and Detroit Financial Development Company are behind the hassle.

On Thursday, Dave Coulter van Oakland County joined different officers of the Grosse Pointe Battle Memorial to signal a memorandum of settlement to create the Detroit Regional Protection Coalition.

The goal of the coalition is to unite the protection and house {industry} to make Southeast -Michigan the protection capital of the Midwest.

Meaning increasing alternatives for the Detroit Arsenal in Warren and the Selfridge Air Nationwide Guard Base in Harrison Township. Since 2023, the area has obtained $ 4.6 billion within the US division of Protection for greater than 350 protection contracts that help greater than 7,000 jobs. In 2024, an estimated 11,000 inhabitants benefited from a payroll of greater than $ 1.73 billion.

The brand new coalition will collaborate with authorities officers, native firms, all branches of the army and federal companies to safe new investments.

Wayne County Govt Warren Evans and Macomb County Govt Mark Hackel additionally signed the Memorandum of Understanding. In a joint assertion, Coulter, Evans and Hackel mentioned that Southeast -Michigan performs a vital function in supporting nationwide protection initiatives and that increasing that footprint will add jobs and investments to Michigan’s financial portfolio.

Vicki Selva was named government director of the coalition. She helped launch the Small-Enterprise Development Initiative of Oakland County referred to as Thrive. Along with her expertise in Michigan’s protection sector, she was director within the workplace of the previous US Senator Carl Levin and an government director of Michigan’s Protection Workplace. Up to now she was a board member of the Nationwide Protection Industrial Affiliation.

“With our unparalleled property and capacities, we will make the nation and our allies a strong factor that the area is Detroit the place you wish to do the protection and house firm,” she mentioned.

The coalition was based up to now yr with the assistance of greater than 20 industrial, schooling, army and authorities leaders.

Organizers set these priorities:

• Placed on new contracts

• Strengthen provide chains

• Increase essential missions and property

• Supply coordinated and strategic help to contractors and firms within the area

• Strengthen the Lansing – Washington, DC, connection so Southeast -Michigan is nicely proven in each capital.

• grow to be the trusted supply of information, evaluation and messages to unite stakeholders and to point out the protection of southeastern and house profile at nationwide stage.