Derek Smith | Michigan Engineering News
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A new Southeast Michigan coalition, led by the University of Michigan and Macomb Community College alongside more than 30 regional partners, is helping advance federal efforts to strengthen and modernize U.S. shipbuilding. The coalition is pursuing a Maritime Prosperity Zone designation, a new federal initiative designed to accelerate investment in shipbuilding, maritime manufacturing, port infrastructure, and workforce development in strategic regions.
Southeast Michigan is positioned as a strong candidate due to its manufacturing base, deep maritime expertise, and unique inland access to the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway system. The coalition’s proposed zone includes Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw, and Macomb counties and highlights two key regional anchors, the Port of Detroit and the Port of Monroe, both of which are actively upgrading infrastructure and developing new technologies that could support future maritime innovation and national security priorities.