March was an active month for the Detroit Regional Partnership team as we continued global outreach and relationship-building efforts to attract investment and job creation to the Detroit Region.
Strengthening Battery Industry Ties in South Korea
The month began with travels to South Korea, a country that Michigan has developed strong ties with, particularly in the battery, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductor sectors. As Michigan continues to see rapid growth in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced battery technologies, South Korea has remained a critical partner and important market. Over the last five years, South Korea has been the largest source of foreign direct investment into Michigan by capital investment.
During the visit, our team met with more than a dozen prospective companies exploring opportunities in the U.S. market. In addition to these meetings, the team attended the InterBattery Show, one of the world’s largest gatherings of battery manufacturers, suppliers, and technology leaders. The event provided an opportunity to connect with prospective companies and gain insight into the future direction of the battery industry. During the conference, the team was also able to reconnect with partners from MEDC, NAATBatt, and spend time with Gresham Smith, a valued DRP investor.
Connecting with Site Selectors in North Carolina and Georgia
This month, the DRP team also strengthened relationships with site selectors at two key industry events with our state and local partners– the Area Development Consultants Forum in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Site Selectors Guild Spring Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. These events host site selectors from across the globe who advise companies on major expansion and relocation decisions throughout the U.S., and building strong relationships with them is a critical component of our business attraction strategy. These events provide valuable opportunities to connect with site selectors, understand the evolving needs of companies making location decisions, and learn new approaches that can help make the Detroit Region more competitive. Attending these events also complements our ongoing outreach efforts, including regular virtual engagement with site selectors to ensure they remain aware of the Detroit Region’s assets and the strong network of regional partners that support successful company investments.
Looking to the months ahead, the team will continue engaging with industry leaders at events across the country, including Battery Show South in Charlotte, AeroDef in Boston, and the SelectUSA Summit in Washington, DC. Several major global industry events will take place right here in Detroit as well, including the SAE World Congress and XPONENTIAL, a leading conference focused on the rapidly growing uncrewed systems ecosystem spanning robotics, autonomous ground vehicles, air mobility, and maritime technologies. These events provide valuable opportunities to showcase the Detroit Region’s leadership in advanced mobility and manufacturing and build relationships with companies shaping the future of these industries.
