Michigan Awards $1.5M to Advance Maritime Innovation Across the Great Lakes

State investment unlocks additional $2M in private sector support for five projects supporting state’s first-ever maritime strategy 

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) today announced the selection of five projects to receive funding through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP) Michigan Maritime Innovation Grant Program, supporting innovative technologies, commercialization efforts and workforce initiatives that will strengthen Michigan's maritime economy and accelerate implementation of the state's newly released Michigan Maritime Strategy. Michigan’s $1.5 million investment will leverage an additional $2 million from private industry, bringing the total investment in the five projects to $3.5 million.

"Michigan's maritime industry plays a key role in more than 350,000 shipping-related jobs across the U.S. and Canada contributing to more than $50 billion in economic activity," said Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Susan Corbin. "This investment furthers Michigan’s efforts to support intermodal transportation, manufacturing, tourism, recreation and fishing and lead the way in building our workforce and infrastructure to keep our economy strong."  

The State of Michigan recently unveiled the Michigan Maritime Strategy, the first comprehensive 10-year roadmap to grow the state's maritime economy by driving economic development, attracting investment, fostering innovation, creating high-quality career opportunities and protecting the Great Lakes. The strategy outlines a statewide vision for strengthening Michigan's water-based economy through investments in infrastructure, clean energy, research and workforce development and resilient ports and waterfronts. 

The Maritime Innovation Grant Program supports projects advancing one or more of the strategy's four priority objectives: 

• Supporting economic development by modernizing maritime infrastructure, improving intermodal transportation connectivity, leveraging manufacturing capabilities, and strengthening supply chain resilience.
• Accelerating the maritime sector's transition to clean energy.
• Investing in maritime research, innovation, education, and workforce development.
• Enhancing the sustainability, resilience, and revitalization of Michigan's ports, harbors, and waterfront communities.

"These projects demonstrate how emerging technologies, entrepreneurs and public-private partnerships can strengthen our maritime economy while accelerating real-world innovation.” said Justine Johnson, State of Michigan Chief Mobility Officer. “By investing in solutions that improve our ports, waterways and maritime operations, we're helping implement Michigan's first Maritime Strategy.”

"Michigan has all the ingredients to become a leader in BlueTech innovation, from world-class freshwater assets and maritime expertise to a growing network of entrepreneurs, researchers and industry partners," said Matt McDonough, CEO, Discovery Pier. "The projects supported through this program will help move promising technologies from concept to real-world deployment while strengthening the partnerships that make innovation possible. We're proud to work alongside the State of Michigan to help implement the Maritime Strategy and build a more competitive, resilient maritime economy."

The five selected projects include: 

AquaAction – Commercializing BlueTech Innovation (Detroit)

AquaAction will launch its AquaEntrepreneur pilot-to-procurement commercialization platform in Michigan through Bedrock's Urban Tech Xchange and deployment partnerships with the Port of Detroit, Great Lakes Water Authority, Friends of the Rouge and other infrastructure operators. 

Rather than serving as a traditional startup accelerator, the program creates a commercialization infrastructure that connects deployment-ready BlueTech companies with operational partners, procurement opportunities and Michigan-based jobs. Through structured pilot deployments, participating companies will validate technologies in real-world environments while accelerating commercialization across Michigan's ports, utilities and watershed infrastructure. 

BlueTech Startup Studio and Electric Research Vessel (Traverse City)

This project will establish a comprehensive platform supporting emerging BlueTech startups and maritime technology companies seeking to locate research, development and operations in Michigan.

The initiative includes acquisition of a fully electric Vita Power Seal rigid inflatable boat (RIB) research vessel and an Outland Technology ROV 3000 remotely operated vehicle, providing advanced maritime inspection capabilities, workforce training opportunities and technology deployment resources while launching a dedicated BlueTech Startup Studio. 

Autonomous Maritime Testing Corridor (Detroit & Alpena)

A coalition led by Newlab will establish Michigan's first autonomous maritime testing corridor, anchored by initial testing nodes at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) in Alpena and the Port of Monroe. 

Building upon Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Infrastructure for Innovation Initiative (Executive Directive 2024-2), the project will establish testing zones, safety protocols, regulatory pathways, and data governance frameworks for autonomous maritime technologies. The initiative is designed to convert testing activity into long-term economic growth by connecting innovators with Michigan manufacturers and creating a scalable framework capable of attracting future federal investment. This project expands upon Michigan’s existing suite of marine autonomous testing capabilities.

FORGE: Freshwater Operational Requirements to Government-Ready Equipment (Houghton)

The Freshwater Operational Requirements to Government-Ready Equipment (FORGE) project will develop and field-test an autonomous cold-water maritime first responder designed to support Lake Superior search and rescue operations. 

Working alongside Keweenaw County Search and Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard Station Portage, the project will validate technologies intended for distributed deployment in remote locations, improving emergency response capabilities in one of North America's most challenging freshwater environments. 

Maritime Industrial Arts Institute (Boyne City)

The Industrial Arts Institute (IAI) in Onaway will develop a specialized training curriculum tailored to Michigan's growing maritime and naval industries. 

Founded in 2013 to address advanced manufacturing workforce needs, IAI will expand its nationally recognized welding and fabrication programs to prepare skilled workers for careers supporting Michigan's maritime sector.

The investment comes as increased regional commitments to shipbuilding enterprise are creating more demand for workers skilled in maritime fabrication, safety, and non-destructive testing.

Together, these projects represent an important step toward implementing Michigan's first-ever Maritime Strategy, translating the state's long-term vision into real-world investments that strengthen ports and waterways, accelerate innovation, support workforce development and create new economic opportunities across the Great Lakes. Through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform, OFME continues to invest in technologies and partnerships that reinforce Michigan's leadership in next-generation mobility while supporting a more competitive and resilient maritime economy.

Partner Quotes

Soula Chronopoulos, President, AquaAction: "We’re thrilled to bring our proven bluetech innovation model to Michigan. The state is full of innovative companies that often need just two things to succeed: expert guidance and the pilot opportunities that can be a golden ticket to commercialization. We’re here to provide both, and to help build a thriving bluetech economy in Michigan and beyond. We invite entrepreneurs to connect with us!" 

Bradley C. Wieferich, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation: “Michigan's ports are a vital part of our transportation system and supply chain. These investments support implementation of the Michigan Maritime Strategy by advancing innovation, strengthening maritime partnerships, and helping position our ports for future opportunities and are a step toward the more sustainable funding necessary to help fulfill our ports’ true economic potential.” 

Colleen Hau, Managing Director, Newlab: “The future of America's maritime industry will be built where innovation, manufacturing, and real-world deployment come together. Michigan's autonomous maritime corridor creates that ecosystem by connecting our industrial capabilities with one of the nation's most unique natural assets, the Great Lakes. As the federal government invests in restoring America's maritime strength and expanding domestic shipbuilding, this initiative ensures Michigan is not only prepared to support that resurgence but positioned to lead it, creating new opportunities for manufacturers, technology companies, defense partners, and maritime operators alike.” 

Dave Kronberg, Director of Business Growth, The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance: "This investment is well timed as the Industrial Arts Institute, a highly regarded welding and fabrication trainer, looks to expand its curriculum to satisfy Michigan's growing demands for maritime manufacturing.  The new Maritime Industrial Manufacturing Academy will begin graduating highly skilled workers with technical knowledge of non-destructive testing and specialized safety in Spring 2027."

Greg Kangas, President, Hawk Technologies: "Hawk’s FORGE initiative shows what Michigan's maritime and mobility leadership looks like in action: a small Upper Peninsula company, working with local search and rescue operators and Michigan Tech's Marine Autonomy Research Site, turning a life-saving operational need on Lake Superior into a scalable, production-ready solution, designed and built right here in Michigan." 

Phil Roos, Director, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy: “Michigan’s Maritime Strategy gives our state a clear path to protect the Great Lakes while building a stronger, more resilient maritime economy. By improving infrastructure and accelerating innovation, we’re creating new jobs and strengthening coastal communities. This work ensures Michigan residents benefit from healthier waters and long-term economic opportunity.”