Michigan Top in the Nation for Clean Energy Investments, Automotive Prowess

Business Facilities’ 20th Annual Rankings Report – which identifies leading locations for industries and helps inform site selectors’ decisions – has once again named Michigan as best-in-nation for the automotive industry, while also giving the state top spots in life sciences, semiconductors, EV investments, customized workforce training, and more. 

“This is a repeat performance for the state in this category with significant investments during 2023 bolstering a robust mobility ecosystem,” the report noted. 

Michigan was also recognized as a top ten state in the semiconductor industry thanks to investments from various companies and initiatives to develop talent for the industry, such as through the Michigan Semiconductor Talent and Technology for Automotive Research (MSTAR), a public-private initiative to make the state a world leader in automotive semiconductor technology and talent. 

Michigan also earned top 10 status for customized workforce training from Business Facilities, building upon another accolade for Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Talent Action Team, who recently received global recognition as No. 4 most innovative business service in the world, according to rankings by Fast Company.  

Business Facilities also recognized Grand Rapids as one of the Top 3 mid-sized metros in the nation with the Best Business Climate (alongside Arlington, VA, and Fort Lauderdale, FL), while Detroit was recognized as best-in-nation (mid-sized talent pool) for Tech Talent Leaders, besting Austin, TX, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. 

For more information on how your business can Make It in Michigan or find local partners in your industry, visit our business services website.  

Michigan No. 1 for Clean Energy Investments  

In addition to the Business Facilities rankings, Climate Power has once again named Michigan No. 1 for clean energy investments from the Inflation Reduction Act. This is the second year in a row that Michigan has been named to the top spot.  

“Michigan is proud to be capitalizing on job-creating opportunities created by federal policies that will benefit current and prospective residents, businesses of all sizes, and the communities that make Michigan great,” said MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. “Our unwavering commitment to leveraging these investments is making Michigan the premier destination for advanced manufacturing and creating a robust economy where everyone can ‘Make It in Michigan’ in a climate-responsible manner for generations to come.” 

The Climate Power report indicates Michigan won 58 projects, securing nearly $25.4 billion in investments and 21,490 jobs, besting Texas, Georgia, California, and South Carolina as the top five states where projects are locating.  

Among some of the projects counted in the report are: 

• BorgWarner (Auburn Hills, Dearborn and Hazel Park) 
• Expleo USA (Troy) 

• Ford’s Blue Oval Battery Park (Marshall) 
• Fortescue (Corktown, Detroit) 
• GM and Piston Automotive (Auburn Hills) 
• Gotion High-Tech Co. (Big Rapids) 
• Highland Copper (Wakefield and Ironwood Townships) 
• LT Precision (Holland) 
• Magna New Mobility (Troy) 
• Nel Hydrogen (Plymouth Township) 
• Scout Motors (Novi) 

The report also showed Michigan ranked No. 2 in the nation for locating the projects in low-income communities, noting that to be the case for 24 of the 58 projects, representing roughly $11.7 billion in investment and 14,306 jobs. 

The report by Climate Power comes on the heels of other accolades for Michigan in the clean energy sector, including a designation by the U.S. Department of Energy to help finance large-scale clean energy technologies in Michigan. 

The Inflation Reduction Act was signed by President Joe Biden in 2022 with the aim to help grow the green economy in the United States. 

For more information on Michigan’s clean energy sector, visit our website.