Earlier this year, PSC worked with Michigan State University Research Foundation and dozens of public and private sector partners to develop a public-private consortium’s successful application for a U.S. Economic Development Administration Tech Hubs Strategy Development Grant. This funding will support additional coordination to transform the Lansing region into a globally competitive hub for synthetic diamond and rare isotopes — two advanced materials essential to national and economic security that promise to drive regional economic growth.
The EDA grant — one of only 29 awards among 180 applicants nationwide — is only the latest sign of Michigan’s innovation-based economic potential. With a broad network of startups, established industries, research institutions and community assets, many Michigan regions are fertile ground for future tech hubs. From advanced materials to mobility to medical technology and beyond, Michigan is building a diversified tech-driven economy that creates jobs for our residents and prosperity for our state. PSC is regularly engaged in this work, helping to make connections, building new partnerships and shaping the story that helps these tech clusters thrive.
A tech hub (also called an innovation district or industry cluster) is a location with a high concentration of complementary industries, research institutions, investors, entrepreneurial support and talent. Collaboration between these entities sparks innovation, is a magnet for talent and jobs and drives competitive economic growth.
A tech hub (also called an innovation district or industry cluster) is a location with a high concentration of complementary industries, research institutions, investors, entrepreneurial support and talent. Collaboration between these entities sparks innovation, is a magnet for talent and jobs and drives competitive economic growth.
Advanced Materials
The Lansing region’s network of dynamic and complementary partners represents a budding hub for advanced materials. Diverse organizations like Fraunhofer USA, MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Lansing Economic Area Partnership and dozens of other private and public sector partners collaborate each day to drive advances in synthetic diamond and rare isotopes. Leveraging the region’s unique combination of manufacturing know-how, engineering and nuclear research expertise and commercialization opportunities, these advanced materials are making groundbreaking improvements in critical technologies like semiconductors, defense and aerospace electronics, advanced manufacturing and medical imaging. With global markets projected to reach approximately $30 billion and $14 billion, respectively, by 2030, synthetic diamond and rare isotopes have significant potential to contribute to growing Michigan’s economy.
Mobility
Our state’s automotive industry is a critical component in the evolving mobility sector and directly employs hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. According to an economic contribution study PSC conducted on behalf of MichAuto, Michigan’s mobility industry directly and indirectly contributed $304 billion in gross economic output in 2019.
The Detroit and Ann Arbor area , centered around offers the potential to solve longstanding transportation challenges like roadway congestion and harmful emissions while also generating new jobs and fueling our economy. A prime example of the region’s mobility leadership is Michigan Central, a new innovation district in Detroit that is attracting individuals from around the world to develop, test and launch new urban transportation solutions. With an unrivaled concentration of original equipment manufacturers, electric battery makers, engineering talent, research institutions and testing facilities, this region is well positioned to remain the global leader in mobility innovation.
Medical technology
Home to world-renowned biomedical research institutions, robust entrepreneurial support organizations and strong binational partnerships, southeast Michigan and southwest Ontario are advancing medical technology innovation. Since 2015, PSC has worked with TechTown Detroit to facilitate healthcare stakeholders on both sides of the border to address gaps in the region’s medical innovation ecosystem. This group of entrepreneurial service organizations, research institutions, businesses, economic development agencies and healthcare providers quickly identified the opportunity to work together to leverage the region’s combined assets to encourage growth — and that’s how MedHealth was born.
Since that time, this cross-border initiative has helped hundreds of medical device and digital health startups navigate commercialization resources while making the right connections at the right time. MedHealth is just one of the many entities contributing to healthcare innovation in southeast Michigan, and this cluster is continually expanding to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in Michigan and beyond.
Michigan’s tech hub future
Nurturing these industry clusters requires support and partnership from all sides: a dynamic business community, a qualified talent pipeline and community amenities that create places where people and companies want to thrive. Our state is a place where diverse industries and partners converge. Michigan’s rich history of innovation — paired with our state’s collaborative spirit — has positioned us to develop technology that has global impact.