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OFME | Michigan Mobility and Electrification Report Mid-February 2023

ofme-230 CroppedFord to Build New Battery Manufacturing Facility in Marshall

This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined Ford’s Executive Chair Bill Ford and CEO Jim Farley at Ford Ion Park to announce an investment by Ford of more than $3.5 billion to construct and equip a new 2.5 million square foot EV battery manufacturing facility in Marshall. The project is expected to create 2,500 jobs that will add to the region’s tax base and help further the company’s EV future in the state. The investment will support Ford’s goal of producing two million EVs annually by 2026.

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“Today’s generational investment by an American icon will uplift local families, small businesses, and the entire community and help our state continue leading the future of mobility and electrification,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Let’s continue bringing the supply chain of electric vehicles, chips, and batteries home while creating thousands of good-paying jobs and revitalizing every region of our state.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS HISTORIC INVESTMENT

The Shyft Group Announces Expansion of Charlotte Facility, Creating 680 New Jobs
 
 

The Shyft Group, a Michigan-based manufacturer of delivery and specialty vehicles, has announced plans for an expansion of its Charlotte facility to produce commercial EVs with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $16 million and create 680 manufacturing jobs, supported by an $800,000 Jobs Ready Michigan Program performance-based grant to assist with recruitment and training.

 
 
 
 
Our Next Energy (ONE) Raises $300 Million in Series B Funding Round
 
 

Our Next Energy (ONE), a Novi-based energy storage technology company, has closed its $300 million Series B funding round, increasing its valuation to $1.2 billion. The round is an important milestone for the company as it prepares to launch its first lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell factory in 2024. The company is transitioning from a startup funded by venture capital to a manufacturer fueled by growth capital, according to Mujeeb Ijaz, CEO and Founder of ONE.

 
 
 
 
Applications Open for Mobility Public-Private Partnership and Programming (MP4) Grants
 
 

The Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) has launched a special grant opportunity for public-private partnerships and current or future mobility programs and initiatives that address emerging mobility systems across all transportation modes (air, ground, marine, off-road) throughout the State of Michigan. Eligible expenses that MP4 grant funding could support include program operations, staff, equipment, software tools, prototype and first-run manufacturing, marketing, and pilot testing.

 
 
 
 
Team Michigan is Seeking a New Chief Mobility Officer
 
 

Team Michigan is seeking a charismatic, experienced leader to serve as the state’s Chief Mobility Officer. The position provides strategic oversight for the OFME’s goals of increasing mobility investment in Michigan, engaging more mobility startups, expanding Michigan’s smart infrastructure, accelerating EV adoption in Michigan, enabling Michigan’s mobility workforce, and bolstering Michigan’s mobility manufacturing core.

 
 
 
 
Assessing Detroit’s Self-Driving Future
 
 

The City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI) is engaging with Detroit residents to understand how self-driving vehicles can best meet their needs. OMI wants to hear your thoughts about self-driving vehicles. This engagement initiative will help the OMI team imagine ways new technology can improve transportation options for Detroit residents.

 
 
 
 
Upcoming Events
 
 
 
 
Resources and Opportunities
 
 
  • Bamboo Detroit Mobility Founders Hour – Join a bimonthly, virtual meetup for founders and leaders of high growth mobility startups to connect, share resources, and meet special guest speakers
  • DriveElectric.gov – Information on all federal EV-related news and opportunities
  • DOE Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding Opportunities – The latest notices and RFP opportunities for programs related to clean energy and lower carbon emissions
  • H2 Matchmaker – An online resource to help hydrogen suppliers and users identify stakeholders across the supply chain
  • MICHauto – Organization that promotes, retains, and grows Michigan’s signature industry as the state’s only automotive and mobility cluster association
  • MICHauto Automobility Asset Map – Shows nearly 250 locations that are active contributors to the industry, including OEMs, assembly plants, suppliers, proving grounds, entrepreneur resources, mobility projects, universities, and transportation hubs.
  • Michigan Mobility Funding Platform – Test site deployments and real-world deployments
  • Michigan STEM Forward Internships – A statewide partnership between the MEDC and Ann Arbor SPARK which aims to connect the brightest upcoming talent with innovative and growing companies throughout Michigan

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