MICHIGAN — A report from Business Facilities has once again declared Michigan the top auto state in the nation, ranking it number one for automotive industry and electric vehicle investments. The report also ranked Michigan in the top 10 for other categories.
The report comes on the heels of a years-long push by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to ensure Michigan attracts EV research and production facilities as the auto industry transitions away from the combustable engines that made Detroit the Motor City and Michigan the birthplace of the middle class.
“As the state that put the world on wheels, we’re proud to be recognized as an ongoing leader in the automotive industry and EV investment by Business Facilities,” said Governor Whitmer in a release highlighting the report. “We will continue to work together to attract additional projects, invest in Michiganders, and build on the momentum we’ve created over the past two years. This national recognition of our key industries and initiatives supports our commitment that anyone can make it in Michigan.”
Over the last 18 months, the state’s economic development tools have helped bring over $16 billion of projects and secure 16,000 jobs building electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors, and clean energy.
- In January 2022, General Motors announced a historic investment of $7 billion, creating 4,000 and retaining 1,000 jobs, to convert Orion Township assembly plant to build full-size electric vehicle pickups and build Ultium’s third U.S. battery cell plant in Lansing.
- In March 2022, LG Energy Solution announced a $1.7 billion expansion creating 1,200 jobs in Holland manufacturing batteries.
- In June 2022, Ford Motor Company announced an investment of $2 billion, creating more than 3,200 jobs in plants across Michigan to support electric vehicle manufacturing growth and secure internal combustion engine portfolio in the state.
- In June 2022, Canadian electric vehicle charging network operator FLO announced an investment of $3 million for the company’s first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills.
- In October 2022, Michigan-based Our Next Energy announced a $1.6 billion investment to establish its first cell and electric vehicle battery pack gigafactory in Van Buren Township, creating up to 2,112 jobs.
- In October 2022, Gotion announced a $2.36 billion investment for a new manufacturing facility in Big Rapids, creating up to 2,350 jobs.
- In January 2023: Ford announced a $3.5 billion investment, creating 2,500 good-paying jobs, in a new EV battery manufacturing facility in Marshall.
The report also ranked Michigan a top 10 state in the following economic areas:
- Life Sciences
- Tech Talent Pipelines
- Workforce Training
- Foreign Direct Investment
