Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund supports nine projects, with up to nearly $118 million in federal funding supporting defense, space technology, ports and community development.
LANSING, Mich. (October 14, 2026) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a $23 million state investment to advance nine projects across Michigan, supporting infrastructure improvements, workforce training and growth in defense, aerospace, space technology and advanced manufacturing.
The awards, provided through the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund, are expected to support more than 1,000 jobs and secure up to nearly $118 million in federal funding. Two projects remain contingent on federal awards.
Investments span Detroit, Marquette, Monroe and other Michigan communities, addressing industrial capacity, maritime infrastructure, nuclear workforce development, transportation connections and regional food systems.
Whitmer said the funding will help Michigan attract federal investment, create employment opportunities and strengthen industries positioned for future growth.
Defense and Space Technology Investments
The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will receive $10.5 million to build a 57,000-square-foot Readiness Center at Detroit’s Olympia National Guard Armory.
The center will support training administration, automation and communications. The department estimates approximately 200 construction jobs and an additional 500 National Guard positions at the armory upon completion. Funding includes $34 million in federal appropriations and another $1 million from the department.
In Marquette, KMI Space will receive $3.5 million to complete development, design and operations work for its Laelaps spacecraft.
Designed to rendezvous with, retrieve and relocate satellites in orbit, Laelaps is intended to extend satellite service life and reduce replacement costs. KMI Space anticipates creating 60 additional jobs at its Marquette facility.
The state investment supports $34 million through the Strategic Funding Increase program administered by SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force.
Port Improvements Support Maritime and Industrial Activity
The Port of Monroe will receive $1.1 million for a new riverfront berth, turning basin dock rehabilitation, a maritime readiness wharf and modern shore power systems.
The investment supports an $18.8 million federal fiscal year 2025 award through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. It also builds on work associated with an earlier federal award that was canceled during construction.
The port expects the improvements to create 240 construction jobs and sustain 20 long-term specialized maritime jobs.
Pending a federal award, the Village of L’Anse will receive $700,000 to reconstruct and extend its port’s existing quay to accommodate larger vessels and heavy equipment.
The project would support deliveries associated with a copper recovery operation in Gay, Michigan. Quincy Materials Corporation plans to process 1.5 million to 2 million tons of legacy copper mine tailings annually into copper concentrate and supplementary cementitious materials.
The port improvements could attract $11.25 million in federal funding, alongside additional business and shipping investments.
Nuclear Workforce Training and Community Resources
The University of Michigan will receive $2 million through the Partnership to Enhance the Nuclear Workforce, a regional consortium led by the University of Toledo.
The initiative will expand training and introduce high school students to nuclear careers. It combines the state award with $5 million in federal funding and another $3 million from the university.
Partners include the IBEW 6th District, Monroe County Community College and DTE. The University of Michigan and Monroe County Community College team expects to train 75 community college graduates and 500 bachelor’s degree students, while involving 60 undergraduate and graduate students in program development.
The Ionia Community Library will receive $1.5 million to renovate a former Mercantile Bank building into a new library.
The facility will provide space for workforce training, tutoring, meetings, collaborative learning and digital skills development. Additional support includes $2.1 million in federal funding secured by Senator Gary Peters and $500,000 raised locally.
Detroit Transportation Connections and Regional Agriculture
The City of Detroit will receive $2.5 million to construct an off-street Joe Louis Greenway segment between Woodward Avenue and Dequindre Street.
The shared-use pathway will provide a safe east–west connection between Detroit and Highland Park, improving access to employment, transit and commercial corridors. The project is supported by a $10.5 million federal transportation award.
The Michigan Department of Transportation will receive $250,000 for additional planning to cap I-75 in downtown Detroit, supporting a $2 million federal Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program planning grant.
Pending a federal award, the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission will receive $41,700 to strengthen food and agricultural supply chains, workforce capacity and agribusiness development across a 13-county region. The project could secure $250,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Food Systems Partnerships program.
Matching Funds Strengthen Michigan’s Investment Capacity
The Competitiveness Fund provides matching dollars that help communities, universities and businesses compete for federal funding.
According to the announcement, Michigan has secured more than $16 billion in federal investment since the Michigan Infrastructure Office was established, supporting roads, bridges, transit, water infrastructure, broadband and other priorities.
The latest awards extend that work by connecting infrastructure improvements with industry development, workforce preparation and community access.
