2. Oakland County, Michigan: The Arsenal of Democracy
For over a century, Oakland County and the state of Michi- Oakland County Can
gan have led the nation in providing vehicles, equipment and
services to the nation’s armed forces. From 2000 to 2007, Help Your Business
Michigan companies secured almost $25 billion in government
The Economic Development Team offers assistance in:
defense contracts, with Oakland County companies securing
nearly $1 billion of that total. Defense and homeland security u Site location
companies are drawn to Oakland County because of the ad-
u Financing
vanced educational levels of our work force and the numerous
high-tech automotive R&D facilities located here. u Tax incentives
u Liaison with state and local agencies
R&D activities in the county cover a wide spectrum of today’s u Workforce development
advanced technologies including advanced electronics and con-
trols, aerospace, alternative energy, communications and trans-
u Business Assistance Center (business consulting)
portation. A large percentage of these projects are conducted u Information products — to ensure you make the right
jointly with research activities at the 15 public universities in the decision for your company’s location
county and more than 50 independent universities and colleges
in the state.
Oakland County is an
Our array of regional universities enrolled almost 12,000 sci- International Hub
ence and engineering graduate students, representing 77
percent of the total science and engineering graduate student Foreign firms make the strategic decision to locate in Oakland
enrollment in the state. This high concentration of human capital County because of the highly skilled work force, strong educa-
makes Oakland County, the region and the state especially at- tional systems and the international support services available
tractive to defense and homeland security companies seeking a to them. UK
labor market rich with R&D talent. 6%
u 700 foreign-owned
Oakland County offers an impressive list of benefits to prospec- firms from 34 coun-
tive defense and homeland security companies: tries are in Oakland
County France Japan
u 41 percent of Oakland County residents over the age of u 259 of these firms
15% 27%
25 have college degrees (national average is about 26 came to Oakland
percent) County in the last Canada
12 years — that’s 10%
u More than a third of the state’s R&D facilities are located in an average of two
Oakland County foreign companies Germany Other
21% 17% Joint
a month opening up Venture
u Oakland County has the third highest number of high-tech a location in 5%
workers in the nation and twice the corporate R&D Oakland County
professionals compared to the national average
u Over 70 percent of Southeast Michigan’s top OEM parts
suppliers are headquartered in Oakland County, including Oakland County is
over 2,000 business research facilities
Strategically Located
The Oakland Commitment
300 400 500 600
Oakland County is committed to providing the tools, techniques
and equipment necessary to protect our country as part of the 200
Toronto
Homeland Defense (HD) mission. County Executive L. Brooks Oakland
Patterson and his Emerging Sectors team is dedicated to County
100
supporting the efforts of local defense and homeland security Michigan
companies on efforts to protect against and mitigate the impact
of incursions or attacks on our sovereign territory, the domestic Detroit New York
population and our defense critical infrastructure. Chicago Cleveland
distance is in miles
“Since 2004, my team has dedicated personnel and programs u Centrally located between Chicago, Toronto and Cleveland,
to support the efforts of this vital sector. Nothing is more impor- Oakland County is strategically positioned to capture the
tant than the safety of our families, our communities and our entire Midwest market
country,” said Patterson.
u The Michigan-Ontario border is the busiest U.S. — Canada
crossing in the country, making this area an ideal location to
reach the United States and the Canadian markets. Ontario,
less than an hour’s drive from Oakland County, generates
some 40% of Canada’s total gross domestic product
3. Defense & Homeland Security Businesses in Oakland County
Growth in Contracts Top 50 Businesses
Contractor Name Total Contracts Total Contract
Dollar Amount
Trijicon, Inc. 89 147,773,941
Williams International Company LLC 133 69,941,000
General Motors Military Vehicles 131 60,262,247
Chrysler International Corporation 3 46,277,620
Basic Rubber And Plastics Company Inc. 1,340 44,082,850
United Solar Ovonic Corporation 9 34,979,689
SW Electronics And Mfg Corp 181 29,117,556
Precision Standard, Inc. 354 26,675,694
Compuware Corporation 53 25,228,304
KDS Controls, Inc. 32 23,259,896
Southern Automotive Wholesalers, Inc. 339 22,684,847
Orion Advanced Simulation & Intel System 19 19,143,804
New Horizons Rehabilitation Services Inc. 32 17,684,577
Barton Malow Company 2 16,053,822
Young Diversified Industries 88 15,951,420
Stewart & Stevenson 8 15,883,878
MWH Americas, Inc. 17 15,668,009
FEV Engine Technology, Inc. 11 12,641,331
American Systems Technology Inc. 33 10,768,793
Wright Tool Company Dba 228 10,484,901
Aerofab Company, Inc. 285 9,860,314
Delphi Diesel Systems Corporation 50 9,641,410
U.S. Foodservice, Inc. 11 9,303,386
Axletech International, Inc. 25 8,714,539
Oakland University 12 7,665,018
Top Ten Contract Categories Anzaldua/Garrison - A Joint Venture
Ajax Paving Industries, Inc.
5
3
7,523,396
7,498,010
(Michigan) The Shwayder Company
Butcher & Baecker Construction Company
65
8
7,446,090
7,301,757
BB & E LLC 19 6,711,183
1 Combat vehicles Networks Enterprises Inc. 104 6,414,815
Three Dimensional Services 12 6,370,149
2 Services Cadillac Products Packaging Company 67 5,167,699
Thomson Gale 50 4,641,595
3 All other supplies and equipment Communications Professionals, Inc. 188 4,616,993
The Pom Group Inc. 4 4,506,875
4 Weapons Realtime Technologies, Inc. 22 4,471,667
Bosch Rexroth Corporation 1 4,437,524
5 Textiles, clothing and equipage Jewish Vocational Services 16 4,413,457
Moeller Mfg Company, Inc. 48 4,361,617
6 Non-combat vehicles Altech Environmental Services 28 4,218,429
Fleet Capital Leasing 4 4,008,731
7 Electronics and communication Altair Engineering, Inc. 40 3,815,325
Immersion Graphics Inc. 30 3,700,214
8 Medical and dental supplies and equipment Rochester Systems Ltd 14 3,621,907
Robert A. Denton, Inc. 39 3,562,840
9 Other aircraft equipment Rock Industries, Inc. 9 3,463,111
Crane Technologies Group Inc. 7 3,412,620
10 Aircraft engines and spares Jadi Inc. 7 3,387,719
Human Solutions of North America Inc. 9 3,273,073
TOTAL of top 50 companies 4,284 $832,095,642
The Newest Companies
The newest defense and homeland security companies in
Oakland County.
Razor Threat — Develops threat information and risk
management software that protects intellectual capital and
personal information from cyber attack.
Patriot Services — A nationwide leader in providing com-
prehensive disaster and emergency preparedness solutions.
Advanced Defense Vehicle Systems — A leading
Military Armored Vehicle Manufacturer.
Ceradyne, Inc. — A worldwide leader in manufacturing
ceramic composite armor systems, aircraft, helicopter,
combat and commercial vehicles.
iRobot — Manufacturer of military and civil defense robots The iRobot Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) for the U.S. Army Future
that perform dangerous search, reconnaissance and bomb- Combat Systems (FCS) is a portable, reconnaissance and tactical robot proven
disposal missions around the world. invaluable on the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan. (image courtesy of iRobot)
4. Regional College & University Research Centers & Programs
The Detroit Region is home to 10 universities, 13 colleges and University of Michigan
18 community colleges. Major research institutions include the u Michigan Center for Public Health Preparedness
University of Michigan and Wayne State University.
u Institute for Advanced Vehicle Systems
The Department of Defense and other federal agencies sponsor
millions on defense and homeland security related research in
u MURI Center for Intelligent Electronics
the Detroit Region. Innovative research in advanced engineer- u Terrorism & Preparedness Data Resource Center
ing, life sciences and small tech (such as nanotechnology and Walsh College
MEMS) are becoming increasingly important to defense and
homeland security.
u Information Assurance Center (National Center of
Excellence)
Eastern Michigan University
Wayne County Community College District
u Center for Regional & National Security
u Michigan Institute for Public Safety Homeland Security
u Coatings Research Institute (CRI) for Military Equipment Certificate Program
Protection
Wayne State University
Kettering University
u Institute for Information Technology for Homeland Security
u Fuel Cell Laboratory for Defense Applications
u Smart Sensors & Integrated Micro Systems
Lawrence Technological University
Michigan State University
u Center for Innovative Materials Research (CIMR) for
Defense Applications
u CyberSecurity Laboratory
Oakland Community College
u Composite Materials & Structures Center for Defense
Applications
u Combined Regional Emergency Services Training (CREST)
Center
u National Food Safety & Toxicology Center
u Information Technology for Homeland Security Program
u Center for Remote Sensing & Geographic Information
Systems
Oakland University
Michigan Technological University
u Product Development & Manufacturing Center
u Remote Sensing & Environmental Monitoring Institute
u Fastening & Joining Research Institute
u Blue Marble Security Laboratory
CREST regional training facility at Oakland Community College
5. Lawrence Technological University
Advanced composites are being de-
veloped for everything from highway
bridges to army tanks at Lawrence
Technological University’s Center for
Innovative Materials Research.
Center for Innovative
Materials Research
In 2005, the U.S. Army recognized
the potential for advanced compos-
ites in military vehicles and other
battlefield applications. This led to a
five-year, $11 million agreement that
included funding for the design and
construction of the Center for Innova-
tive Materials Research (CIMR). The
$3.2 million, 7,200-square-foot full-
scale testing facility opened in 2006
and features a 30-foot clearance
height and a 25-ton crane to accom-
modate the testing of full-scale struc-
tural components, such as portable
battlefield bridges up to 100 feet long.
Military vehicle testing at LTU’s Center for Innovative Materials Research
At CIMR, researchers can test struc-
tures subjected to static, repeated of buildings and other structures. There is u Developing and testing materials
and impact loads of up to 1 million pounds no other laboratory in the United States that strengthen and prolong the life
using a 160 GPM closed-loop hydraulic where combinations of these types of of critical structures, including build-
system, and a high-temperature fire/load- tests could be carried out simultaneously. ings, bridges, military complexes
ing chamber (up to 2,300 degrees Fahr- and airports
enheit with repeated and impact loading Current projects include:
capabilities of 125,000 pounds). u Developing vehicle armor protection
u Developing and testing new carbon for U.S. military applications
This makes it possible to investigate how fiber materials for use in lightweight
conditions similar to those of the 9/11 ter- body armor, lightweight military vehi- Lawrence Tech has also enhanced its
rorist attacks on the World Trade Center cle applications and impact mitigation reputation by securing a $1 million federal
affects the critical structural components appropriation to build an environmental/
loading chamber for testing vehicle com-
ponents for military uses. The chamber,
made of insulated ceramic blocks, is 20
feet long, 12 feet wide, and 12 feet high.
It sits on an insulated floor, surrounded
with a heavy steel testing superstruc-
ture to hold a large-size actuator, a
device built into the roof of the chamber
and capable of delivering impact blows
with up to 150,000 pounds of force on
components being tested. The chamber
replicates the impact of both repeated and
static loads in simulated climatic condi-
tions ranging from Iraq to Antarctica.
Thanks to the cutting-edge learning,
research and testing facilities at Lawrence
Tech, the university researchers are
addressing the complex and challenging
engineering problems that face our
country now and in the future.
Nabil Grace, chair of the Department of Civil Engineering, and his research team
prepare another experiment to test material strength
6. Oakland County Combined Regional Emergency Services
Training (CREST) Center
Reality-based training is what Oakland
Community College’s $15 million CREST
facility is all about. CREST (Combined
Regional Emergency Services Training)
is the only facility of its kind in the country.
It has become a national model for provid-
ing police, fire and EMT personnel with
scenario-based training – training that’s
taken on new meaning and dimensions
since the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.
The concept of a training “city” providing
realistic settings for real-life problems
faced by emergency responders is an in-
novative outcome of Oakland Community
College’s more than 30 years experience
in training emergency services personnel.
The CREST facility is located near
I-75 and M-59 at Oakland Community
College’s Auburn Hills Campus. This is
a unique training facility with furnished
houses, a bank, convenience store, motel
and five story live fire training tower. The
facility offers a wide variety of props to Hazardous materials training at the CREST facility at Oakland Community College
make the training as real as possible.
Police vehicles, fire engines and ambu- on real world problems become invalu- The FBI, the Secret Service, Oakland
lances are all part of the training experi- able learning tools. Basic and advanced County Sheriff’s Special Response
ence at CREST. personnel profit from the experience of Team and the Troy Police Department’s
putting theory into practice in real-life set- elite Tactical Support Team have all
The importance of training at CREST is tings where trainees must not only think staged training exercises at the 22-acre
demonstrated daily. Instructors take criti- through options and decisions, but also training facility.
cal training subjects from the classroom actively apply their skills.
into the “lab” where scenarios based
Access to Capital
Oakland County’s Economic Development Team will help your Michigan. For new emerging technology initiatives, the state has
company find potential sources of capital and financing. created the $150 million Venture Michigan Fund to catalyze in-
vestment in early stage firms operating here. With the matching
Michigan Business Tax Credit — Passed in 2008, the requirement, this initiative will attract an additional $450 million in
new Defense Contracting Michigan Business Tax Credit will help capital to Michigan for investment in promising new companies.
companies receive federal contracts from the Department of
Defense, Department of Energy and the Department of Home- Angel Networks — Aimed at helping companies with early
land Security. stage seed financing, Michigan is fortunate to have three active
Angel Networks: The Great Lakes Angels, The Grand Angels
Through the authority of the Michigan Economic Growth Author- and The Ann Arbor Angels.
ity, companies awarded federal contracts, may also be awarded
a refundable tax credit against the Michigan Business Tax. For Traditional and Non-Traditional Financing — Oakland
information on the requirements to obtain the MBT credit please County’s Business Finance Corporation and Economic Devel-
visit www.michiganadvantage.org or contact the MEDC at opment Corporation help companies with the SBA 504 Loan
517-373-9808. and with Tax-Exempt Revenue Bond programs. Through the
Automation Alley Technology Center, emerging companies can
Michigan Venture Capital Association — Established be assisted with securing non-traditional and unique sources of
by venture capital and private equity investors in the state, the financing and capital.
Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) is the state’s pre-
mier public policy advocate for the private equity/venture capital State Incentives / Tax Credits — Michigan has a wide
industry. MVCA works to promote entrepreneurship and private variety of incentive programs and tax credits for companies
equity investment. that qualify.
Venture Capital — In four years alone, over $694 million
in venture capital has been invested in over 100 businesses in
7. Oakland County, Michigan:
Local, Regional and State Advantages
Michigan Defense Contract
Coordination Center (DC3)
The Defense Contract Coordination Center (DC3) and the
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) are working
together to increase the number of Michigan companies winning
federal contracts.
DC3 is led by retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Bradley M.
Lott and administered by the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation (MEDC). During his distinguished military career,
Gen. Lott commanded the Marine Corps Logistics Command,
which is responsible for world-wide supply chain manage-
ment including multi-commodity maintenance depot operations
and logistics IT program development. As DC3 director, Gen.
Lott brings an inside perspective regarding military needs and
requirements and extensive experience in logistics, acquisitions
and contracting.
The MEDC created DC3 to strategically connect defense buyers
and prime contractors with Michigan’s capable supply chain. DC3 also offers the following:
Michigan, and specifically Oakland County, is rich in both
capability and capacity. Federal buyers can have confidence that u Works proactively to increase the number of prime contracts
when they rely on Oakland County companies, that they will have awarded to Michigan companies
quality design and production in days, not months. From ground u Promotes and represents the capabilities of Michigan busi-
vehicles to alternative fuels to high tech polymers and coatings, nesses before federal buyers and prime contractors
Oakland County companies are well positioned to provide the
vital tools necessary to safeguard the lives of our soldiers,
u Identifies opportunities for Michigan companies to create and
sailors, airmen and marines. compete as supply chain clusters.
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC)
The 11 regional PTACs are the front line in Michigan’s efforts to PTAC can assist your company throughout the entire pre-award
bring defense contracts to state companies. Our procurement spe- to post-award procurement process, including:
cialists partner with Michigan companies to demystify government u Registering to become a government contractor
contracting, orient those unfamiliar with the process and help com- u Identifying bid opportunities
panies obtain and perform on federal, state and local contracts. u Simplifying the bidding process
u Expediting payments through electronic invoicing
u Assisting with post-award evaluation of your submitted con-
tract and/or award
PTACs are designed to help Michigan companies capture a por-
tion of the $400–$800 billion that the federal government spends
each year for goods and services.
For more information on local PTAC resources, please contact
or email the following representatives at the Schoolcraft Regional
PTAC at Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia,
MI 48152.
u Jann Deane - jdeane@schoolcraft.edu
u Donna Cappabianca - dcappabi@schoolcraft.edu
u Holly Johnston - hjohnsto@schoolcraft.edu
u Ann Boss-Cronin - abcronin@schoolcraft.edu
The Schoolcraft Regional PTAC office number is 734-462-4438
or you can fax them at 734-462-4673.
