DETROIT, Mich. (August 28, 2025) – The Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP), in collaboration with the county executives of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), has launched the Detroit Regional Defense Coalition (DRDC) to unite and strengthen the region’s defense and aerospace, industries.
The coalition will work alongside the State of Michigan, local companies, the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and other federal agencies to attract new investments, create jobs, and expand opportunities across the tri-county region. The Detroit Region’s defense industry already demonstrates impressive impact that highlights opportunities for future growth, including:
- Hosting two of the nation’s most critical defense assets: the Detroit Arsenal and Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
- Securing $4.63 billion in Department of Defense contracts in 2023 across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties and the City of Detroit, representing 75% of the state’s total contracts.
- Employing more than 7,000 workers through 360+ defense contractors in the region.
- Supporting over 11,000 residents, who earned more than $1.73 billion in Department of Defense compensation in 2024.
“Southeast Michigan has the talent, infrastructure and innovation to be the Defense Capital of the Midwest,” said Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel in a joint statement. “By aligning our engineering expertise, advanced manufacturing capabilities and strong network of suppliers, we can grow high-quality jobs, attract new investment and ensure our region plays a vital role in supporting our nation’s defense and aerospace needs for decades to come.”
While Detroit is known for being an automotive manufacturing hub, the skills, workforce and infrastructure built from that history are highly transferable to associated industries like defense, aerospace and advanced manufacturing – making investment in these sectors a natural fit for the region and a strategic opportunity to further diversify the region’s economy.
The DRDC is the result of extensive collaboration with regional stakeholders. Over the past year, more than 20 leaders from industry and government organizations worked together in a series of meetings to shape the vision, structure, and mission of the coalition. These meetings crystallized the need for a unified regional voice and established a strong foundation of partners who will continue to support the DRDC.
By aligning regional leaders, industry stakeholders, educational institutions and military partners, the DRDC will champion policies and initiatives that enhance southeast Michigan’s competitiveness in the defense and aerospace markets. Key priorities include:
- Accelerate defense industry growth and investment by attracting additional contracts, strengthening supply chains and fostering new opportunities for regional businesses.
- Safeguard and expand critical missions and assets, while providing coordinated and strategic support to contractors and businesses across the region.
- Educate and advocate for regional priorities in Lansing and Washington, D.C., ensuring the Detroit Region’s defense industry has a strong, coordinated voice at both the state and national level.
- Serve as the trusted source of data, analysis and messaging to unify stakeholders and elevate the Detroit Region’s defense and aerospace profile on the national stage.
The coalition will be led by Vicki Selva, a recognized leader in Michigan’s defense and economic development communities. Selva’s experience includes serving as Director for U.S. Senator Carl Levin, leading the State of Michigan’s Defense Office as Executive Director, serving on the board of the National Defense Industrial Association, and launching Oakland Thrive, a county small-business growth initiative.
“Working together, our efforts are stronger,” said Selva. “With our unmatched assets and capabilities, we can make a powerful case to the nation and our allies that the Detroit Region is where you want to do defense and aerospace business.”
About the Detroit Regional Defense Coalition
The DRDC is a regional initiative led by the counties of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) and Detroit regional Partnership (DRP). Its mission is to grow and sustain Southeast Michigan’s defense and aerospace industries by fostering collaboration, advocating for industry-friendly policies and leveraging the region’s world-class assets to attract investment and create jobs.
