Detroit

Regional Defense Coalition

A partnership between Macomb, Oakland
and Wayne Counties and the City of Detroit
created to seize defense industry economic
opportunities in Southeast Michigan

the Detroit region defense industry

Accounts for over 75% of Michigan’s
total Department of Defense (DoD)
procurement contracts.

Accounts for over 75% of Michigan’s total Department of Defense (DoD) procurement contracts.

Home to the Detroit Arsenal –
a critical US Army research and contracting facility.

Home to the Detroit Arsenal – a critical US Army research and contracting facility.

Home to Selfridge Air National
Guard Base – the largest ANG Base
in the nation.

Home to Selfridge Air National Guard Base – the largest ANG Base in the nation.

Over 11,000 military and DoD civilian
residents earned over $1.73B in
compensation in FY24.

Over 11,000 military and DoD civilian residents earned over $1.73B in compensation in FY24.

Includes 360+ defense contracting
companies employing over
7,000 workers.

Includes 360+ defense contracting companies employing over 7,000 workers.

Includes over 155,000 veterans -
one third of Michigan’s entire
veteran population

Includes over 155,000 veterans - one third of Michigan’s entire veteran population

Competitive
advantages in multiple
Defense industries:

Transportation
Equipment
Manufacturing

Machinery
Manufacturing

Repair and
Maintenance
Services

DoD Procurement, FY23

  • Macomb County
  • Oakland County
  • Wayne County*

Statewide Total:

$5.90B

*Includes City of Detroit

Distribution of DoD Workforce
by Residence, FY24

Distribution of DoD Workforce by Residence, FY24

  • Macomb County
  • Oakland County
  • Wayne County*

*Includes City of Detroit

DoD Procurement, FY23

  • Macomb County
  • Oakland County
  • Wayne County*

Statewide Total:

$5.90B

*Includes City of Detroit

Distribution of DoD Workforce by Residence, FY24

  • Macomb County
  • Oakland County
  • Wayne County*

*Includes City of Detroit

Why The defense industry matters

Provides high-
paying jobs

Attracts millions
in federal defense
investment

Strengthens
infrastructure and
local supply chains

Supports veterans
and military
connected residents

Enhances regional
influence in
national security

Why The defense industry matters

Provides high-paying jobs

Attracts millions in federal defense investment

Strengthens infrastructure and local supply chains

Supports veterans and military connected residents

Enhances regional influence in national security

the drdc's structure

  • A Coalition of public and private industry partners.
  • Funded by member organizations and governments.
  • Leadership provided by volunteer Board of Directors
    overseeing a full-time Executive.
  • Complimentary to State-level entities such as the Office
    of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI) and the
    Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

Strategic Goals

  • Attract additional defense industry investment.
  • Coordinate responses to defense-related opportunities in
    the Detroit region.
  • Assist businesses in competing for defense contracts.
  • Increase defense-related workforce.
  • Conduct economic analyses, policy analyses, and
    champion changes.

NEXT STEPS

  • Gain operational funding
  • Assemble Board of Directors from public entities and
    private industry contributors
  • Fund first year goals:

Economic Impact Analysis of the Detroit Region defense economy

Conduct gap analysis comparison of the Detroit Region and competitor regions

Hire an Executive Director

the drdc's structure

  • A Coalition of public and private industry partners.
  • Funded by member organizations and governments.
  • Leadership provided by volunteer Board of Directors overseeing a full-time Executive.
  • Complimentary to State-level entities such as the Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

Strategic Goals

  • Attract additional defense industry investment.
  • Coordinate responses to defense-related opportunities in the Detroit region.
  • Assist businesses in competing for defense contracts.
  • Increase defense-related workforce.
  • Conduct economic analyses, policy analyses, and champion changes.

NEXT STEPS

  • Gain operational funding
  • Assemble Board of Directors from public entities and private industry contributors
  • Fund first year goals:

Economic Impact Analysis of the Detroit Region defense economy

Conduct gap analysis comparison of the Detroit Region and competitor regions

Hire an Executive Director

Forming the

rdc

Apr 2024

Retained consultants to conduct organizational development.

Jul 2024

First meeting of stakeholder working group – over 20 participants from industry and government.

Sep 2024

Second stakeholder working group meeting. Conduct organizational identity exercise.

Dec 2024

Retained consultants to conduct organizational development.

Jan 2024

Final stakeholder working group meeting. Finalized the initial structure and identity of the DRDC.

Forming the

rdc

Retained consultants to conduct organizational development.

Apr 2024

Second stakeholder working group meeting. Conduct organizational identity exercise.

Sep 2024

Final stakeholder working group meeting. Finalized the initial structure and identity of the DRDC.

Jan 2024

First meeting of stakeholder working group – over 20 participants from industry and government.

Jul 2024

Retained consultants to conduct organizational development.

Dec 2024