CEO Guide to Site Selection

Michigan

MOTOR CITY COMEBACK

Detroit has been making a comeback in recent years with several large projects and announcements. In April 2024, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced more than $1 billion in investments that would create at least 1,000 jobs in the state. This includes a new healthcare campus in Detroit’s New Center neighborhood. There have been other investments around the state. Germany-based DEKRA announced in June 2024 a $23 million investment to establish an automotive test center of excellence in Plymouth. Copperwood Resources announced in March 2024 a $425 million investment and 380 jobs in Gogebic County. Amway announced a $127 million expansion and 260 new jobs in Ada Township.

“This investment will build on our strength as the destination for growing companies in the battery and future mobility sectors. Let’s continue going everywhere and working with anyone to win projects and create highskill, family-sustaining jobs across Michigan.”
Gretchen Whitmer
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

No

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0.4 %

decrease between 2020 and 2023

KEY INCENTIVES

Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR): The fund includes the Critical Industry Program and the Strategic Site Readiness Program. A recent bipartisan supplemental signed into law added an additional $846 million into SOAR for economic projects.

Michigan Business Development Program: Offers performance-based grants, loans and other economic assistance to businesses for competitive projects that create jobs and investment in the state.

Transformational Brownfield Plan: Offers incentives for mixed-use development projects with planned integration of a combination of retail, office, residentia lor hotel uses.

Michigan Community Revitalization Program: Promotes community revitalization to accelerate private investment in areas of historical disinvestment.

EDCs

Michigan Economic Development Corporation
michiganbusiness.org

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
degc.org

Detroit Regional Chamber
detroitchamber.com

Grand Rapids Economic Development
rightplace.org

Lansing Economic Development Corporation
lansingmi.gov

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

Michigan Economic Development Corporation recently rebranded its STEM Forward program to STEAM Ahead. Since launching in 2021, the program has averaged 275
interns per calendar year with programs in arts, science, technology, engineering and math. More than 600 students from 28 universities participated in 2024, and
the program has grown to focus on some of the state’s priority industries, such as electric vehicles, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.

BIG DEALS

  • Able Medical Devices announced in October 2024 a $13 million expansion and 40 new jobs in Marquette.
  • Saab announced in October 2024 the launch of a $75 million facility and 70 new jobs in Grayling Township.
  • German mobility testing company DEKRA announced in June 2024 a $22.8 million Automotive Test Center of Excellence in Plymouth.
  • German auto parts manufacturer Laepple Automotive announced in September 2024 it is establishing its new U.S. headquarters and creating up to 242
    jobs in Detroit.
  • The state approved several incentives in July 2024 to support Dow’s ongoing manufacturing and R&D operations.
  • Korea-based LT Precision Michigan announced in March 2024 it will establish its North American headquarters in Holland. The $43 million project is expected to create 70 jobs.

BIG COMPANIES

Sixteen Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state, including:

  • Ally Financial
  • Dow
  • Ford Motor
  • GM
  • Lear
  • Penske Automotive Group
  • Stryker
  • Whirlpool
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.