Latest news with #MichiganEconomicDevelopmentCorporation
Business Wire
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Torc Announces New Engineering Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Further Fuel Autonomous Vehicle Innovation
BUSINESS WIRE)--Torc, a pioneer in commercializing self-driving class 8 trucks, today announced the establishment of a new engineering center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As Torc continues its path toward commercialization in 2027, this strategic expansion will further accelerate the company's productization efforts and tap into the region's rich automotive and technology talent pool. As part of its effort to open the Ann Arbor location, Torc worked closely with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to secure incentives to support the expansion into Michigan, as Torc plans significant hiring in this region to grow its team and technical talent capabilities. Torc's Ann Arbor site will help drive critical product milestones. A diverse range of engineering roles will be based in the office, including expertise in machine learning, software, hardware, and systems engineering, alongside positions in product engineering, safety, and other key functions. "This strategic location is a natural fit for Torc as we continue to advance our autonomous technology,' said Jamie Swaim, Chief People Officer at Torc. 'Ann Arbor's proximity to the Detroit automotive industry and a wealth of high-tech talent, combined with the exceptional concentration of high-caliber universities and colleges, makes it an ideal environment for our growth and productization strategy. This new center will complement the strong engineering talent we already have across the nation." The new office, located in northeast Ann Arbor, will encompass approximately 32,000 square feet and will feature multiple collaboration spaces and hardware in the loop labs. 'We are pleased to support the continued growth and expansion of Torc, whose project is a testament to the strength of our state's mobility industry and Michiganders' superior skills,' said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. 'My congratulations and gratitude to Torc; we are honored to earn this investment. We look forward to celebrating your future success and that of the People, Places, and Projects who will benefit from your presence in the great state of Michigan.' Torc's decision to establish a presence in Ann Arbor underscores its commitment to fostering innovation and teamwork through strategic talent acquisition and collaboration within key technology and automotive ecosystems. For more information on Torc, please visit About Torc Torc, headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia, is a global leader and pioneer in trucking. Founded in 2005 at the birth of the self-driving vehicle revolution, Torc has over 20 years of experience in pioneering safety-critical, self-driving applications. Torc offers a complete self-driving vehicle software and integration solution and is currently focusing on commercializing autonomous trucks for long-haul applications in the U.S. In addition to its Blacksburg headquarters and engineering offices in Austin, Texas, and Montreal, Canada, Torc has a fleet operations facility in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas, to support the company's productization and commercialization efforts, as well as a presence in Ann Arbor, MI, to take advantage of the autonomous and automotive talent base in that region. Torc's purpose is driving the future of freight with autonomous technology. As the world's leading autonomous trucking solution, we empower exceptional employees, deliver a focused, hub-to-hub autonomous truck product, and provide our customers with the safest, most reliable, and cost-efficient solution to the market.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Joint House panel puts the screws to Marshall battery plant project
Christin Armstrong and Josh Hundt of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation take questions at a joint meeting of the House Oversight Subcommittees on Homeland Security and Foreign Influence, Corporate Subsidies and State Investments on June 11, 2025. | Kyle Davidson Members of two separate House Oversight subcommittees joined together on Wednesday as representatives continued their interrogation of incentives for battery manufacturing projects across the state. Up for discussion was the Marshall BlueOval Battery Park. Announced in 2023, the $3.5 billion project was initially expected to create 2,500 jobs, though Republicans have raised alarms about the project due to a licensing agreement between plant-owner Ford and a Chinese battery company. Earlier this year, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. or CATL – who has agreed to license its battery technology to Ford for production at the facility – was placed on the U.S. Department of Defense's list of 'Chinese military companies' found to be operating directly or indirectly within the U.S. As a result the company is barred from entering contracts with the Department of Defense. When Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin rejected Ford's bid to establish the plant in his state due to its ties to CATL, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said he made a political determination and emphasized that Michigan would continue to compete for every economic opportunity. She later celebrated when Michigan was selected as the site for the project calling it a 'generational investment.' While the Michigan Economic Development Corporation was aware of the project's ties to CATL prior to awarding funding to Blue Oval for the project, the Chinese company's involvement was not a secret, the corporation's Chief Operating and Performance Officer Christin Armstrong said. Armstrong and the corporation's Senior Project Marketing Advisor Josh Hundt each noted China's near-monopoly on battery technology, with Ford aiming to bring that technology to the U.S. to break their control of the electric vehicle market. However, members of the committees questioned why the automaker hadn't simply partnered with companies from non-hostile nations like Japan or South Korea instead. Ford did not respond to an emailed request for comment. While it would greatly benefit the U.S. to develop its own technology to boost America's electric vehicle manufacturing, the Economic Development Corporation views the project as a way for Ford to make its vehicles more competitive, providing it with access to battery technology and employment for American workers, Hundt said. With U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) introducing legislation to subject vehicles and vehicle parts manufactured in countries of concern like China to a security review, Rep. Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville) asked whether concerns at the national level factored into the economic development corporation's decision making. Hundt explained that by utilizing CATL's tech, Ford avoids the alternative of importing batteries from China, allowing the automaker to reduce its dependency on China and other foreign manufacturers. 'Our role is to help make sure that we are seeing a disruption of this current Chinese monopoly that, frankly, nobody wants to see,' Hundt said. 'We need to see both the technology and the manufacturing take place here, and this is a way to begin to make that happen.' Joe Cella, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Fiji during President Donald Trump's first term, raised further concerns about potential threats from the Chinese government. 'I will preface my remarks by stating that China is on the hunt, and our footing nationally and the states is not commensurate with this threat,' Cella said, referencing three Chinese citizens with ties to the University of Michigan who were arrested for smuggling biological agents into the country. He pointed to requirements in Chinese law demanding Chinese-based companies, no matter where they are located, to surveil, collect and report as directed. 'In other words, conduct espionage,' Cella said, previously noting that CATL had begun hiring for positions at the Marshall plant through its U.S.-based subsidiary. Should this deal ever come to fruition in Michigan, it would only be a matter of time until espionage begins, Cella said, noting that Battle Creek Air National Guard Base and Fort Custer are located nearby. Alongside questions on Ford's deal with CATL, Armstrong and Hundt fielded questions on the specifics of the project following Ford's decision to downsize the effort. Now expected to deliver 1,700 jobs rather than 2,500, Armstrong said the project is still underway, with plans to wrap construction and start hiring by 2026. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rafael Systems Global Sustainment (RSGS) Opens Michigan Office
RSGS Expands to Better Serve Industry and Government Customers STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- We are excited to announce the opening of our new RSGS office in Sterling Heights, Michigan. This expansion marks a significant milestone in our journey, reflecting our commitment to providing exceptional service to our industry and government customers, while fostering growth within the Michigan defense community. By establishing a stronger presence in Michigan, we are enhancing our capabilities and resources to better meet customer needs. The Sterling Heights location also establishes a fully sovereign U.S. operation, reinforcing our long-term commitment to American defense priorities and generating new job opportunities. "The opening of our Michigan office demonstrates that RSGS continues to invest in the long-term needs of a robust Americanization effort focused on cutting-edge technologies to support our warfighters. Our focus is to work closely with both our industry and government customers in a collaborative nature to ensure we deliver capabilities critical to the fight." — LTG (Ret.) Joseph Anderson, President & CEO, RSGS Our Michigan team consists of seasoned professionals with over 60 years of combined experience in the active protection systems community. Leading the team is Marc Shepard, Vice President and General Manager, who joined RSGS on May 1, 2025, bringing with him 23 years of defense industry experience. "We're excited to be in Michigan and closer to the customers and partners who are shaping the future of defense. Our team is eager to contribute to the region's strong innovation ecosystem and deliver solutions that matter." – Marc Shepard, VP and GM, RSGS We are strategically located in the heart of Michigan's defense corridor in Sterling Heights. This location ensures close proximity and accessibility to our government customers, prime contractors, and key partners. The exceptional support provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Office for Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI), Macomb County, and the City of Sterling Heights has been instrumental in RSGS's successful launch in the state. "We are pleased to welcome RSGS into the Michigan ecosystem and look forward to partnering with them further. They are going to be a great asset to the defense community in Macomb County," Jeanne Schabath-Lewis, Stakeholder Engagement Director at the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation. We look forward to this exciting new chapter and to forging strong partnerships across Michigan as we deliver mission-critical capabilities to support and protect our nation's warfighters. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Rafael Systems Global Sustainment Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ideaForge Demonstrates UAV Prowess at U.S. Government-Backed Michigan's Uncrewed Triple Challenge
SAN ANTONIO, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ideaForge Technology Limited, a global leader in drone technology, is proud to be recognised by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), a U.S. government body, to exhibit at the prestigious Uncrewed Triple Challenge (UTC) in Michigan, USA. As part of this recognition, ideaForge was awarded a $10,000 grant to support its participation at the event. The UTC is a first-of-its-kind, state-sponsored event that brings together uncrewed systems across sea, air, and land. Organized in collaboration with the Michigan National Guard, Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Department of Transportation, and the MEDC, the UTC aims to drive innovation in autonomous drone technologies by showcasing next-generation capabilities to a diverse audience of military, state, and local agencies. While ideaForge did not compete in the challenge, its invitation to exhibit underscores the trust and credibility placed in its technology by a prominent U.S. state institution. It also highlights the growing global recognition of India's indigenous UAV capabilities. At UTC, ideaForge showcased its flagship UAV solutions, the SWITCH and NETRA V4 PRO—demonstrating their advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) features, operational endurance, and reliability across demanding mission profiles. These systems are designed for critical applications in defense, homeland security, and emergency response. Ankit Mehta, CEO of ideaForge Technology Limited, said, "We are honoured to receive this grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and to be invited to exhibit at the Uncrewed Triple Challenge. This recognition by a U.S. government body is a strong testament to the credibility, capability, and global relevance of our UAV platforms. We look forward to engaging with stakeholders from across defense and public sectors to demonstrate how ideaForge delivers autonomy and performance for mission-critical operations." Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation added, "We are pleased to welcome ideaForge to the Uncrewed Triple Challenge. Their participation represents the spirit of innovation that this event aims to celebrate. ideaForge's UAV platforms will contribute valuable perspectives to our stakeholders and support broader dialogue around the adoption of advanced autonomous systems." ideaForge's presence at the UTC reinforces its expanding international footprint and commitment to delivering indigenous, high-performance drone solutions for defense and enterprise needs. The company continues to strengthen its position as a pioneer in drone innovation, with a focus on mission-critical applications that include defense, security, and enterprise use cases. As part of its growing U.S. presence, ideaForge has also previously announced a strategic collaboration with Skylark Labs and partnership and investment with Vantage Robotics further reinforcing its role in advancing drone technology through collaboration and cross-border innovation. About ideaForge Technology Limited ideaForge is a pioneer and the pre-eminent market leader in the Indian unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry. With a mission-first approach, we deliver cutting-edge drones engineered for unmatched performance, autonomy, and reliability, redefining possibilities in security, mapping, surveillance, and disaster response applications across militaries and enterprises. With India's largest operational deployment of indigenous UAVs, an ideaForge drone takes off every 3 minutes, enabling over 6,50,000 successful flights. Ranked 3rd globally among the world's Top Dual-Use Drone Manufacturers by Drone Industry Insights (DRONEII) Global Drone Review 2024, ideaForge continues to set benchmarks in innovation and excellence. Since pioneering India's first VTOL UAVs in 2009, we have expanded with advanced R&D and manufacturing hubs in Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and the USA, driving the development of indigenously designed and built solutions. Backed by marquee investors, including Qualcomm, Infosys, Celesta Capital, Florintree, EXIM Bank, and Infina Finance, ideaForge is at the forefront of revolutionizing unmanned systems. Discover more: About Michigan Economic Development Corporation The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter. Logo: View original content: SOURCE ideaForge
Epoch Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Corning Boosts Manufacturing Investment to $1.5 Billion, Citing ‘Increasing Demand' for US-Made Components
Materials science company Corning Inc. is boosting investment at its upcoming solar component-manufacturing facility in Saginaw County, Michigan, to $1.5 billion, the company said in an April 29 Corning had initially allocated up to $900 million for the manufacturing facility, which was expected to create more than 1,100 jobs. The investment expansion will create 400 'new high-paying advanced manufacturing jobs,' it said, adding that the decision to dial up funding was taken 'to support increasing demand for U.S.-made solar components.' 'The company's increased manufacturing capacity will enable Corning to supply high-quality solar wafers and help strengthen the domestic solar supply chain with industry-leading solar manufacturers,' it said. The company's CEO, Wendell P. Weeks, said Corning was 'proud to meet the increasing demand for U.S.-sourced solar products by accelerating the ramp of our advanced manufacturing assets and support the nation's priority of domestic energy security.' Last year, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Related Stories 4/28/2025 4/28/2025 Starting wages at the facility are expected to be above the median wage in the region. To support the project, Michigan Strategic Fund has approved multiple grants and incentives valued at more than $109 million. Corning's decision to boost manufacturing capacity in the United States comes amid the Trump administration's tariffs on imports. On April 2, President Donald Trump announced a 10 percent universal baseline Importing foreign-made components will prove costly to companies, as they now have to pay high import duties. Shifting production stateside makes business sense in such circumstances. During an April 29 'The president's implementation of reciprocal tariffs earlier this month with rates of 26 percent, 24 percent, and 46 percent applicable to India, Malaysia, and Vietnam, respectively, creates a significant economic headwind for our manufacturing facilities in these countries selling into the U.S. market,' he said. 'While the subsequent 90-day pause to the effectiveness of these tariffs and the application of a 10 percent universal tariff partially mitigates the impact, the lower rate would still result in a meaningful adverse gross margin impact to sales into the United States, absent the duty being fully passed through to the module buyer.' Tariffs on China-Backed Solar Imports On April 21, the Department of Commerce The decision follows a 2024 complaint filed by American manufacturers alleging that Chinese-owned companies in the four countries were dumping solar products into the United States at unfairly low prices and harming America's solar sector. The department said companies located in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam were receiving subsidies from China. The highest duties—3,521 percent—were charged on solar goods coming from Cambodia as companies in the country refused to cooperate with the U.S. investigation. Malaysia's Jinko Solar was charged a tariff of 41.56 percent, and Thailand's Trina Solar faces duties of 375.19 percent. 'These are among the first CVD [countervailing duty] investigations wherein Commerce has made an affirmative finding that companies received transnational subsidies,' the department said. The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which led the case, welcomed the Commerce Department's decision. In an April 21 The decision 'confirms what we've long known: that Chinese-headquartered solar companies have been cheating the system, undercutting U.S. companies, and costing American workers their livelihoods,' he said. 'Enforcing our trade laws isn't just a legal matter—it's essential to rebuilding our industrial base, securing our energy independence, and protecting American jobs.' The tariffs must now be approved by the U.S. International Trade Commission, which has until June 2 to decide on the matter. The domestic U.S. market is expected to see robust demand for solar power generation capacity this year. A Feb. 24 This accounted for 61 percent of total electricity-generation capacity additions in the country last year. The EIA expects the trend to continue through 2025 as well, projecting 32.5 GW of solar capacity additions. 'Texas (11.6 GW) and California (2.9 GW) will account for almost half of the new utility-scale solar capacity addition in 2025,' said the analysis. 'We expect five other states—Indiana, Arizona, Michigan, Florida, and New York—each to account for more than 1 GW of added solar capacity in 2025 and collectively account for 7.8 GW of planned solar capacity additions.'
