Defense

KEY STATISTICS

25,022
Total Jobs

+125%
Total Job Growth
from 2010-2020

715
Establishments

$135,409
Average Earnings
(National average $92,417)

5,490
Defense Contracts (won in 2018)

$3.4 Billion
Brought in by contracts
$36 billion since 2000
(Contracts average $2.25 billion)

Defense and homeland security organizations find a strategic advantage in Macomb County that exists nowhere else in North America. This competitive edge is bolstered by the area’s exceptional engineering, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and research and development offerings, that have been built up over 100 years of not only meeting but exceeding standards. 

As the home of the Arsenal of Democracy, this expertise in automotive technology and manufacturing prowess helped win World War II, and today that tradition has continued as the US Army’s home to all things ground combat vehicle related. In fiscal year 2018, Macomb County defense companies were awarded 5,000 contracts, totaling $3.4 billion, which accounted for roughly 68 percent of all Department of Defense (DoD) contracts awarded within the entire state of Michigan. Since 2001, Macomb County defense companies have won over $36 billion in contracts. This long tradition of excellence and performance is why Macomb County is one of the premier locations for aiding in DoD modernization programs.

STAFFING PATTERNS

The defense industry in Macomb County saw a 42.5 percent increase in job growth from 2010-2018, which was fueled in part by the heightened demand for software developers. This industry has also been actively engaged in ensuring the next generation and current workforce has the skill sets required for its emerging sectors, such as cybersecurity and autonomous technology. 

For example, in Macomb County, The Michigan Cyber Truck Challenge gives high school students from across the nation an opportunity in hacking defense-related transportation, which oftentimes leads to additional experience opportunities and job placements within industry. This Cyber Truck Challenge is supported by the Michigan Automotive and Defense Cyber Assurance Team (MADCAT) - an initiative focused on promoting Macomb County and the state of Michigan as world leaders in supporting the cyber ecosystem. MADCAT’s focused efforts have resulted in the development of three cyber hubs in Macomb County that offer cyber security certification courses as well as the implementation of cyber education in more than 14 local high schools.
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EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

GEOGRAPHICAL ADVANTAGE

Macomb County offers a variety of other advantages to defense contractors, including: 

• Selfridge Air National Guard Base, home to all five branches of the armed services, as well as the US Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, which is one of the oldest continuously operating military airfields in the nation established in 1917. The base contributes over $850 million to the local economy and is home to nearly 7,000 personnel and 44 tenant organizations. 
• U.S. Army Garrison – Detroit Arsenal 
• U.S. Army TACOM LCMC (Tank Automotive Command-Life Cycle Management Command) 
• U.S. Army CCDC-GVSC (Combat Capabilities Development Center-Ground Vehicles Systems Center) 
• Several defense primes including General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE Systems, and Oshkosh Defense. 
• GM Defense, a new division of General Motors, which leverages the abilities of General Motors Technical Center for the development of a multi-purpose, hydrogen powered fuel cell, autonomous vehicle platform. 

LOCAL SUCCESS IN DEFENSE