DETROIT, Mich. — A new statewide network meant to help Michigan companies win work in the space industry will make its home in Detroit, at Newlab inside the Michigan Central Innovation District, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday.
The Michigan Space Innovation Hub is set to open Oct. 28. A one-year grant of almost $1.2 million from the state Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., is paying for it.
Kevin Cronin, newly named Michigan Central executive director of aerospace, will run the hub. Members are promised access to testing and production equipment, an online resource platform, shared workspace and help getting ready to supply space programs. Advisers include former leaders from SpaceX, Raytheon, the Defense Department and NASA-linked groups.
Planned programs include Sprint to Supply Space, aimed at growing the number of Michigan plants able to build parts for space, plus events through the year and a yearly Michigan Space Summit.
The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center and the National Advanced Mobility Consortium are also core partners at Michigan Central. An aerospace trade group counts more than 900 aerospace companies in the state, employing about 30,000 people.
Section: More Detroit MI business news
