Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined Ford Motor Company, JPMorganChase, Michigan Central and Newlab on Tuesday to launch Michigan LIFT, a public-private initiative designed to strengthen manufacturers' competitiveness and supply-chain resilience while accelerating the growth of innovative suppliers expanding production in Michigan.
The Michigan Launchpad for Industrial Innovation & Transformation translates manufacturing and supply-chain challenges identified by industrial buyers into "Open Calls" for innovative suppliers that can address them. Where a solution shows a credible path to adoption, Michigan LIFT helps connect customer demand, financing, public resources, workforce support and commercialization services to scale production.
Over the next decade, the founding participants aspire to use the platform to connect customer demand, mobilize capital and provide ecosystem support, subject to each participant's standard qualification, sourcing and approval processes. Ford, serving as the anchor industrial buyer, aspires to award up to $1 billion of business to innovative suppliers through opportunities advanced by Michigan LIFT. JPMorganChase, the founding capital provider, aspires to finance up to $1 billion of debt capital to Michigan LIFT suppliers on the platform as part of its Security and Resiliency Initiative, a $1.5 trillion, 10-year plan to facilitate, finance and invest in industries critical to national security and economic resilience.
"Michigan has always been a state that builds, and we're going to keep leading the next generation of American industry," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "Michigan LIFT will bring together our world-class manufacturers, innovative companies, skilled workers and capital to turn big ideas into real products, new investment and good-paying jobs. By working together, we can bring more critical supply chains home, help Michigan businesses grow and show the world that the future is built right here in Michigan."
The State of Michigan, through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, will serve as the public-sector participant, deploying state economic development tools and resources to support innovation-driven companies with credible pathways to commercial and industrial scale. Michigan Central will provide physical testing and scaling across its 30-acre innovation district, while Newlab aspires to contribute $20 million of in-kind support focused on translating industrial demand into commercialization opportunities. Michigan Central, Newlab and the MEDC aspire to attract 10–20 additional industrial buyers representing over $1 billion in annual demand commitments by the end of 2036.
"For over a decade, Detroit has shown what is possible when business, government and community leaders work together for the long term," said Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorganChase. "Michigan LIFT builds on that same model of public-private collaboration by connecting customer demand, capital and public resources so more companies can grow, more workers can participate and more critical capabilities can scale here in the United States."
"Ford is America's automaker, and we believe American manufacturing's best days are ahead," said Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company. "Michigan LIFT is about helping solve real manufacturing challenges faster. It connects innovators, suppliers and manufacturers with the support they need to scale."
Michigan LIFT grew out of the Michigan Resiliency Summit, jointly hosted by JPMorganChase and the State of Michigan in Detroit in June. Open Calls will initially focus on robotics and advanced manufacturing automation; advanced energy, including nuclear, semiconductors and battery storage; advanced mobility, aerospace, propulsion and critical components; critical minerals mining, processing and recovery; and life sciences manufacturing. Suppliers can respond through michiganlift.org.
Alongside the launch, Ford Philanthropy and JPMorganChase announced $550,000 in collective support for Focus: HOPE, a Detroit-based nonprofit providing education and job training. The grant will strengthen Focus: HOPE's industrial manufacturing training program, teaching manufacturing skills, robotics and welding while expanding employer connections, career placement support and transportation assistance for trainees.