Macomb and Oakland counties are really raking in the cash to grow their defense industry firms, with Macomb Community College and Lawrence Technological University taking in millions of dollars.
Macomb Community College recently received $5 million (mostly from the federal stimulus package) to help grow and develop its defense and homeland security industry. Much of that money will be spent providing technical training to local residents so they can enter the defense industry workforce.
This money (and training) will prepare people for knowledge-based jobs, such as logistics, engineering and advanced technology. It is part of Macomb County's growing defense industry economy and its budding relationship with the U.S. Dept. of Defense's Defense Acquisition University.
"It's a tremendous opportunity for us to work with our partners," says Holger Ekanger, WCE director of engineering and advanced technology at Macomb Community College.
Lawrence Tech received a $1.6 million federal grant to develop and test stronger and lighter armor made of composite materials for military vehicles. This will be done through Lawrence Tech's Center for Innovative Materials Research and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center. The funding comes from the 2010 defense appropriations legislation.
Source: Holger Ekanger, WCE director of engineering and advanced technology at Macomb Community College and Lawrence Technological University
Writer: Jon Zemke
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