Michigan Small Businesses Positioned to Win in the Defense Industry

Michigan employs over 600,000 people in the manufacturing sector and ranks in the top 10 states with the highest density of new patents. This positions Michigan startups and small businesses to excel in defense manufacturing.

With an anticipated 42% increase in the Federal defense budget, now is the time to utilize Michigan SBDC consulting and resources to prepare to enter and compete in the defense industry.

Michigan’s Strategic Infrastructure

Michigan’s Camp Grayling features nearly 200,000 acres and 17,000 square miles of airspace at Alpena’s CRTC which allows defense companies to test their technology across land, sea, air, space and cyber domains. Some of the key technology focus areas for the NADWC include autonomous systems and drones, radio spectrum operations, space data integration, cyber security.

Opportunities such as the Make It in Michigan Mobility Prototyping Grant support both startups and established small businesses with emerging autonomous systems, critical mobility components, and electrification systems across all transportation modes (air, ground, marine, off-road) throughout the State of Michigan.

The Michigan SBDC offers several services to help pursue federal and defense funding, especially related to core foundational consulting and financial readiness. Our consultants assist with strategic growth consulting and advice regarding loans, lines of credit and grants. The Michigan SBDC also helps with cybersecurity compliance required by the Department of War, offering no-cost resources, cybersecurity training and webinars, and security guides for small businesses.

Additionally, the Michigan SBDC Tech Team can assist small businesses and startups that are developing advanced technology. The Tech Team helps navigate the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, supports drafting investor pitch decks and developing commercialization strategies, and can facilitate connections to other partners to support highly competitive federal R&D proposals.

The Rise of Federal Investment

A key area of increased Federal investment is the budget for the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG), which was funded this year for $225.9 million. In the upcoming federal budget, this line item is increased 24,000% to $54.6 billion.

Michigan is well positioned to take advantage of this increase as it is home to the National All Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) split between Camp Grayling and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC). Here, advanced drone and autonomous systems are demonstrated, sometimes with the support of the MEDC’s NADWC Demonstration Grant.

Recently, the NAWDC was declared the National Range for Deep Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Training which further solidifies Michigan as the proving ground for advanced mobility and uncrewed autonomous systems.

The National Guard is quoted as saying, “By combining permissive operating authorities, cutting-edge infrastructure and close ties to Michigan’s world-class technology and manufacturing ecosystem, this designation amplifies our ability to train at speed and scale.”

Michigan Small Businesses are Positioned to Win

Michigan’s robust research Universities, its SmartZone network supporting new startups, and a world-class manufacturing and engineering industry support the needs of the defense industry as they continue to grow and evolve.

Schedule with your local Michigan SBDC consultant now to prepare your small business for involvement in the growing defense industry. By registering for our no-cost services, you can receive support pivoting your commercial products and services to dual-use applications and growing your business.