There’s a certain swagger to Michigan these days. Not loud. Not brash. But unmistakably confident. It’s the kind of quiet assurance that comes from knowing you’ve seen the future—and you’re building it, one innovation corridor at a time.
Once defined by steel and assembly lines, Michigan is now drafting a bold new economic playbook. At the heart of that transformation is Detroit—an icon of American industrialism now writing a new chapter as a crucible for innovation, creativity, and mobility tech. Long mythologized in global consciousness for its grit, music, and muscle, Detroit today represents something even more compelling: reinvention done right. It’s a state turning legacy muscle into tech-forward might—a reinvention driven not by slogans, but by strategy. That strategy? “Make It In Michigan”—a high-impact economic development framework laser-focused on People, Places, and Projects. And at its helm is Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), a leader with a vision shaped by grit, precision, and purpose.
“We’ve always been a tech hub,” Messer insists. “We put the world on wheels. But it’s deeper than that. It’s in our DNA to make complex systems, to solve hard problems. We’re built for deep tech—and now we’re leaning into it like never before.”
f there’s a symbol for Michigan’s rebirth, it’s the jaw-dropping transformation of Michigan Central Station in Detroit. Once a relic of decline, the historic building is being reimagined as the epicenter of global mobility innovation, anchored by Ford’s $740 million investment. The economic returns are already tangible: hundreds of millions in projected tax revenue, revitalized neighborhoods, and a magnet for talent.
But Messer is adamant—this isn’t about monuments. It’s about ecosystems.
“We’re not just fixing buildings,” he says. “We’re building places that catalyze entire industries. Innovation happens in proximity—between engineers, artists, founders, and policy thinkers. Michigan Central is a symbol, yes. But more than that, it’s a signal. We’re open for business in a whole new way.”
And it’s not just mobility that’s accelerating. From semiconductor R&D to quantum computing hubs, Michigan is assembling an ecosystem that’s drawing global attention. Through public-private partnerships with IMEC, Los Alamos Labs, and top-tier universities like the University of Michigan and Michigan Tech, the state is seeding next-gen industries with strategic precision.
“It’s in our DNA to solve hard problems and build what the world needs next.”
Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEO MEDC
Messer’s team calls it “Team Michigan”—a collaborative web of government, academia, industry, and philanthropy all aligned on one mission: build a future-ready economy that actually works.
Talent is at the heart of it. With the ambitious “60×30” initiative aiming for 60% of Michiganders to hold post-secondary degrees or high-value credentials by 2030, the state is making a long-term bet on its people. MEDC’s Talent Action Teams partner directly with companies to identify skill needs years in advance—aligning training programs with real-time market demand.
And if there’s one thing Michigan doesn’t struggle with, it’s engineering talent. “Our universities punch above their weight,” Messer says. “And more than that—this is a place where people tinker. They build. They problem-solve. There’s a maker mindset here that gives us a unique advantage.”
That human element is central to Michigan’s appeal—and one reason European companies are increasingly choosing the state as their U.S. landing pad.
“We’ve always welcomed the world,” says Messer. “From Dutch and Finnish communities in the west to Spanish and French suppliers in the auto sector—our cultural infrastructure is global. Companies feel at home here.”
The numbers help too. Michigan boasts four (soon five) border crossings with Canada, easy access to over 50% of the U.S. population within a day’s drive, and direct airlift to key European hubs. But beyond proximity and policy, Michigan’s appeal is lived-in and felt—through lake breezes, trail hikes, farmers’ markets, and ski weekends. With freshwater lakes that rival alpine vistas, world-class local cuisine, and a cultural heartbeat that stretches from Detroit’s jazz clubs to the art festivals of Traverse City, this is a place where work-life balance isn’t just possible—it’s palpable. Messer puts it simply: “Few places combine natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and kindness like Michigan does.”
But perhaps what sets Michigan apart isn’t just what it offers on paper. It’s the spirit of reinvention and the warmth of its people. “The people here don’t just collaborate—they care,” says Messer. “There’s a culture of kindness that’s hard to quantify, but deeply powerful. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an engineer, you feel it from the moment you arrive.” Detroit embodies that duality—a city with soul and steel, grit and grace. And it’s showing the world what it means to transform, not just recover.
Sustainability plays a key role here, too. The MI Healthy Climate Plan is guiding Michigan’s transition toward a low-carbon economy—supported by recommissioned nuclear projects, solar farms, and utilities committed to aggressive decarbonization targets. Messer sees it not as an obligation, but an opportunity: “Doing good and doing well are not mutually exclusive. We’re proving that.”
In an era when economic development has become a buzzword soup, Michigan’s clarity stands out. It’s not chasing headlines—it’s building a future. With deliberate strategy, cross-sector alignment, and a deeply human core, Michigan is showing what a next-generation industrial state can look like.
And if you’re wondering about the man orchestrating it all—he’s someone who understands the power of connection. “Empathy matters. Timing matters,” says Messer. “In the end, economic development is about people—how you support them, how you empower them, how you show up for them.”
The punchline? Michigan isn’t just back. It’s blazing a new trail—powered by people, fueled by innovation, and ready for a global audience.
Welcome to the new industrial frontier. Welcome to Michigan.
