Michigan has long been a critical gateway for goods moving between the U.S. and international markets. But today, it’s doing more than moving freight — it’s modernizing the systems, technology, and talent behind resilient supply chains that companies can depend on in an unpredictable world.
Bordering four of the five Great Lakes and Canada’s economic engine in Ontario, Michigan boasts four international border crossings (soon to be five with the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit), 33 active cargo ports, four Class I railroads, and Detroit Metropolitan Airport — one of the country’s busiest air cargo hubs. These advantages form the physical backbone of a globally connected state. But Michigan is taking that network a step further by investing in the infrastructure of the future.
In Detroit, the Port Authority and Wayne County are spearheading a $25 million effort to electrify port operations, modernize equipment, and reduce emissions, with support from the U.S. EPA’s Clean Ports Program and Michigan’s Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund. These upgrades, which also support workforce development for electrical trades, are expected to improve air quality and strengthen the port’s capacity to handle high-value cargo, especially between Detroit and Windsor, where $600 million in trade flows daily.
This is just one piece of a broader strategy. Michigan is also expanding its role in high-tech manufacturing and smart logistics through innovative public-private partnerships. Automation Alley’s Project DIAMOnD — a distributed network of 3D printers — recently received $1.9 million in federal support to help small and midsized manufacturers reduce costs, increase production flexibility, and adopt digital technologies. The initiative is already boosting capabilities in energy efficiency and emissions reduction for over 100 companies across the state.
And Michigan’s Supply Chain Resiliency (SCR) team is helping companies directly. Focused on advanced manufacturing, mobility, clean energy, and aerospace and defense, the SCR program connects Michigan suppliers to high-value purchasing and investment opportunities. By coordinating with corporate buyers, investors, and public agencies, the SCR team equips local companies to adapt to global trends, integrate new technologies, and expand into emerging markets.
Recent company announcements further underscore the momentum. Four advanced manufacturing projects — including a hydrogen R&D hub by Robert Bosch, a clean-tech HQ for NxLite, a battery recycling facility by Envergia, and an expansion by software simulation firm dSPACE — are bringing $55 million in new investment and more than 160 good-paying jobs to Southeast Michigan. These projects highlight the state’s talent depth, infrastructure readiness, and collaborative economic development approach.
What sets Michigan apart is its ability to match world-class logistics with an equally sophisticated support ecosystem. Through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, the state is aligning its incentives and infrastructure with next-generation mobility, decarbonization, and advanced manufacturing goals.
As companies look to de-risk operations, regionalize supply chains, and move closer to both talent and trade, Michigan offers more than a strategic location — it offers a tested partner. Whether shipping across borders or building a connected future, Michigan is helping companies not just move, but move smarter.
In Michigan, supply chain resiliency isn’t a buzzword — it’s a blueprint.
