The Lead Off

• Michigan has committed more than $42 million to drone development through its Advanced Air Mobility Initiative.
• State officials, universities, healthcare providers, and private companies are expanding drone testing and manufacturing projects across Michigan.
• Supporters say Michigan’s automotive and engineering expertise could help the state compete with larger drone programs in Ohio and Indiana.

LANSING, MI (WOWO) Michigan is increasing investments in drone technology as state leaders, businesses, and educational institutions work to expand manufacturing, testing, and commercial applications in a rapidly growing industry.

Supporters tell Bridge Michigan that the state is working to close the gap with other states that have already established major drone development programs, while leveraging the state’s long history of manufacturing and engineering innovation.

State expands investment in drone development

Michigan has allocated more than $42 million through its Advanced Air Mobility Initiative to support drone manufacturing, testing, and deployment projects throughout the state.

The investment has helped launch programs focused on healthcare delivery, transportation, logistics, infrastructure inspection, and military applications.

According to state projections, the drone industry could generate approximately $115 billion annually nationwide by 2035 while supporting more than 280,000 jobs.

Competition grows among Midwestern states

Michigan’s efforts come as neighboring states continue expanding their own drone initiatives.

Ohio has invested more than $61 million in 35 drone-related projects and has received an additional $10 million in federal funding for its National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence.

Indiana was selected earlier this year as one of two national drone test sites and operates more than 200 miles of dedicated drone airspace for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations.

Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center, which includes Camp Grayling and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, provides more than 17,000 square miles of military airspace and 60 miles of specialized airspace for advanced drone testing.

Manufacturing heritage seen as competitive advantage

Industry leaders say Michigan’s automotive sector provides a foundation for future drone production.

“Because of the automotive industry here, you can become a very powerful player in that national ecosystem, and that’s what’s happening,” said Richard Fahle, vice president of marketing for Detroit-based Airspace Link.

Supporters argue that existing manufacturing facilities, engineering talent, and supply chains could help attract additional drone companies to the state.

Healthcare and business applications expand

Several Michigan organizations are already testing commercial drone uses.

Brighton-based Blueflite has partnered with Munson Healthcare on a drone delivery program designed to transport medical samples between healthcare facilities. The project has received more than $1.6 million in state grants.

According to Munson Healthcare Vice President of Supply Chain Tracy Cleveland, the system could significantly reduce transportation times for laboratory samples.

Blueflite is also participating in a separate program with Jack Demmer Ford dealerships to transport smaller automotive parts between locations.

Other drone applications currently operating in Michigan include:

• Power line inspections conducted by Consumers Energy.
• Package delivery operations by Amazon in the Hazel Park area.
• Drone programs utilized by police departments in Wyoming, Grand Blanc, and portions of metro Detroit.

Universities prepare future drone workforce

Michigan colleges and universities are expanding drone education programs to prepare students for emerging career opportunities.

Central Michigan University’s Drone Lab allows students across multiple academic disciplines to earn drone pilot licenses and specialized certifications.

“(CMU) has graduates that work in real estate, we have graduates that work in production, we have graduates that work in parks and rec, engineering,” said Drone Lab Director Kevin Campbell.

The University of Michigan has partnered with Michigan Central to establish a 40-mile drone corridor connecting Ann Arbor and Detroit for advanced testing and research.

Additional drone programs are operating at Northwestern Michigan College, Western Michigan University, and Lansing Community College.

Lawmakers advance drone policy proposals

State Rep. William Bruck has helped develop a 14-bill legislative package known as SHIELD Michigan, which would establish regulations and infrastructure guidelines for drone operations by public entities.

Two measures from the package have already passed the Michigan House.

“It’s a budding industry here in Michigan and we want to have a clear, concise mobility corridor established throughout our state,” Bruck said. “I think that will give us a lot of capability for expansion because we’re doing things that other states are not doing in this arena, and manufacturing will follow.”

Military testing highlights strategic role

Michigan is also positioning itself as a center for military drone development.

This month, more than 300,000 drones are expected to participate in activities between Alpena and Grayling as part of the Department of Defense’s Drone Dominance Program.

Additional military drone training exercises are scheduled later this summer.

During a recent policy conference discussion, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin emphasized the growing role of drone technology in modern warfare and the importance of investing in emerging defense capabilities.

The Takeaway

Michigan is increasing drone investments

State leaders have committed more than $42 million toward drone manufacturing, testing, and deployment projects as they seek to expand Michigan’s role in the growing advanced air mobility sector.

Industry growth spans multiple sectors

Healthcare providers, energy companies, law enforcement agencies, universities, and private businesses are already incorporating drones into operations ranging from medical deliveries to infrastructure inspections.

Additional expansion is expected

Legislative proposals, university programs, military testing initiatives, and commercial partnerships are expected to continue shaping Michigan’s drone industry as officials pursue additional investment and workforce development opportunities in the years ahead.