Automation Alley opens Macomb Defense office

Automation Alley has officially opened its Macomb Defense office in Sterling Heights, which will serve as a clearing house for economic development in Macomb County’s arsenal of defense companies.”We’re shining a light on Macomb County’s Defense Corridor,” says Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley. “Sixty-five percent of all defense work in Michigan comes from Macomb County. It makes sense for us to be in Macomb County.”The office will be staffed by six people, mostly engineers. They will refer government work to local firms and help them become ready to bid on and facilitate that work. Possible assignments range from building parts of military vehicles to research and development of the latest military equipment.Automation Alley has helped refer 200 local companies, mostly manufacturers, to TARDEC in Warren, which serves as one of the principal hubs for the defense industry. The idea behind this effort is to move work to existing manufacturers and other firms to help make up for the loss in automotive business, preserving and even creating some jobs.”Our opportunities with the military continue to grow,” Rogers says. “We continue to work with them to find ways to diversify our local businesses.”Source: Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation AlleyWriter: Jon Zemke