The state of Michigan and the Detroit region are premier destinations for the defense and homeland security industry.
A Defined Defense Presence
Michigan’s defense industry contributed $31 billion in overall economic activity through 155,000 defense-related jobs and 17 commands and installations throughout the state. The defense and homeland security industry already recognizes Michigan as a prime location to do business. In 2020, the Detroit region was home to 3,338 businesses serving the defense and aerospace industry. Together, they employ more than 91,900 with annual average wages of $89,142. Michigan is ranked 8th for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness.
- Michigan businesses were awarded 54,547 defense contracts, worth over $5.31 billion in 2020, and play a vital role in meeting our nation’s defense needs. The Detroit region had almost 80% of those contracts, totaling more than $4.19 billion.
- Macomb County continues to be a hub for the defense industry with more than $3.2 billion contracts award in 2020 and over $50.26 billion worth of Department of Defense contracts awarded to resident companies from 2000 to 2020.
- Michigan entrepreneurs file more than 4,000 patents annually, ranking the state consistently in the top 10 for patents granted. In 2019, 8,828 patents were granted to Michigan entrepreneurs ranking the state 2nd for patents granted.
Defense Contracts in the Detroit Region, By County, 2022
County | Contracts (in millions) |
Macomb County | $4,330.0 |
Wayne County | $190.7 |
Oakland County | $216.2 |
Washtenaw County | $160.4 |
Livingston County | $60.4 |
St. Clair County | $6.3 |
Genesee County | $4.6 |
Monroe County | $1.5 |
Lapeer County | $0.9 |
Lenawee County | $0.3 |
Shiawassee County | $0.2 |
Total | $4,970,734,544 |
The Detroit region’s institutions of higher education partner with the private and public sectors to drive research and development, making the region a center of innovation.
Research Centers and Programs
- Eastern Michigan University
-
- Lawrence Technological University
-
- Macomb Community College
-
- Oakland Community College
-
- Information Technology for Homeland Security Program
- Oakland University
-
- University of Michigan
-
- Walsh College
-
- Wayne County Community College District
-
- Wayne State University
-
The Detroit Region’s Defense Cluster
U.S. Army Garrison Detroit Arsenal
Located in Warren, Michigan, the Detroit Arsenal is the only active-duty military installation in Michigan, hosting several defense organizations including the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle System Center, Defense Logistics Agency, Army Contracting Command-Warren, Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems, and Program Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support. The center has 67 buildings on 178 acres, with 200 million square feet of building space. The center serves 250 military and 7,500 Department of Defense civilian and contract workers. Learn more about the arsenal .
Selfridge Air National Guard Base
Located in Macomb County, Selfridge is one of only two installations in the country hosting all four Department of Defense services plus the Department of Homeland Security. Learn more about the base .
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs)
Michigan’s PTACs aim to enhance national defense and economic development by assisting Michigan businesses in obtaining federal, state, and local government contracts. about Michigan’s PTACs.
Michigan Defense Center
The Michigan Defense Center works in concert with the 12 state PTACs to help Michigan companies secure federal contracts. It is focused on increasing the number of prime contracts awarded by the Department of Defense to Michigan companies and identifying opportunities to compete as supply chain clusters. Learn more by visiting the .