Over the past few years, we have heard quiet rumblings of how Michigan\u2019s southeastern region is becoming one of the nation\u2019s largest technology hubs and outpacing other technology hubs like Silicon Valley. \u00a0In fact, a report recently released by Automation Alley found that the greater Detroit, Michigan region is \u201csecurely positioned as a leading technology center.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2012 Technology Industry Report Rust to Resurgence: Detroit Regional Technology Economy<\/a> serves to benchmark southeast Michigan against other technology hubs across the U.S. \u00a0In the report, they compared \u201cinnovation indicators\u201d such as patent activity and science, STEM education, technology establishments and technology employment. \u00a0Overall, the report found that southeastern Michigan ranks as one of the top technology centers in the nation and is \u201cpoised for technology-related growth that outpaces other leading tech hubs.\u201d<\/p>\n Southeastern Michigan: Connectivity is Key<\/strong> Industry Employment and Establishments<\/strong> In 2010, they found that metro Detroit had the highest concentration of technology jobs in the Midwest and technology jobs (210,984) accounted for 12.9 percent of the total 1.63 million jobs in the region. Additionally, the metro region had the second highest number of technology-industry business establishments (7,119 in 2012) in the Midwest, just behind Chicago, Illinois.<\/p>\n Patent Activity & STEM Education: Measurement of Innovation<\/strong> Southeastern Michigan is the home to 27 colleges and universities with STEM degrees. A STEM degree is an acronym for the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. With a growing number of technology-related jobs, it is essential to have strong STEM degree programs to produce an educated workforce. \u00a0According to the report, the region had the third highest number of STEM degree completions compared to the other 15 regions.<\/p>\n An Innovation Comeback<\/strong> Related Links: Mobile App & Manufacturing Tech Fuel Michigan & Detroit Economy<\/a><\/em> The Six Traits of Successful Companies: Michigan Entrepreneurship from Delis to Data Centers<\/a><\/em> Over the past few years, we have heard quiet rumblings of how Michigan\u2019s southeastern region is becoming one of the nation\u2019s largest technology hubs and outpacing other technology hubs like Silicon Valley. \u00a0In fact, a report recently released by Automation Alley found that the greater Detroit, Michigan region is \u201csecurely positioned as a leading technology center.\u201d The 2012 Technology Industry Report Rust to Resurgence: Detroit Regional Technology Economy serves to benchmark southeast Michigan against other technology hubs across the U.S. \u00a0In the report, they compared \u201cinnovation indicators\u201d such as patent activity and science, STEM education, technology establishments and technology employment. \u00a0Overall, the report found that southeastern Michigan ranks as one of the top technology centers in the nation and is \u201cpoised for technology-related growth that outpaces other leading tech hubs.\u201d Southeastern Michigan: Connectivity is Key Southeast Michigan is uniquely connected to other major regions through interstates, intercontinental bridges, airports, and rail and water networks. \u00a0The region also has multiple connectors between the United States and Canada. \u00a0The U.S. border in Detroit, Michigan, had the second highest amount of U.S. NAFTA truck trade ($98.7 billion) in 2011. \u00a0Port Huron, Michigan, had the fifth highest amount with over $47.7 billion dollars of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"other_category":[],"class_list":["post-2273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nSoutheast Michigan is uniquely connected to other major regions through interstates, intercontinental bridges, airports, and rail and water networks. \u00a0The region also has multiple connectors between the United States and Canada. \u00a0The U.S. border in Detroit, Michigan, had the second highest amount of U.S. NAFTA truck trade ($98.7 billion) in 2011. \u00a0Port Huron, Michigan, had the fifth highest amount with over $47.7 billion dollars of U.S. NAFTA truck trade.<\/p>\n
\nThe analysts looked at six sub-sectors of the technology industry: 1) advanced automotive; 2) advanced manufacturing; 3) chemical and material; 4) information technology; 5) life sciences; and 6) related and other technology.<\/p>\n
\nA few strong indicators of how much innovation is possible in a region include the number of patents awarded and the number of STEM degrees completed.
\nLooking at the number of utility patents issued, metro Detroit had the third highest number of technology-class patents (2,783) compared to Chicago (2,933 patents). Automobile companies and suppliers like GM Global Technology Operations (1,388 patents), Ford Global Technologies, Lear, and Visteon received many patents in recent years. \u00a0Michigan colleges and universities were also awarded multiple patents with University of Michigan being granted 263 and Wayne State University with 41.<\/p>\n
\nLooking back through Michigan\u2019s economic development, we can see how innovation has played a large part. Just as Henry Ford used innovation to manufacture the Model T and invent the moving assembly line, the people of southeast Michigan will continue to innovate cutting edge technologies to position themselves as global technology leaders.<\/p>\n
\n2013 Michigan Technology Job Trends<\/a><\/em>
\nOnline Tech is contributing to Michigan\u2019s economic growth as we endeavor to grow our Michigan employee base by 25 percent in 2013. Tech jobs in Michigan are on the rise, but are we up to the challenge? AnnArbor.com recently reported \u2026 Continue reading \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhile Ann Arbor, influenced by the University\u2019s presence, has been known for its medical web and mobile application startups, Detroit\u2019s tech companies are focused on supporting e-commerce, automotive and manufacturing industries. One startup, Detroit Labs, created a Chevy Game Time \u2026 Continue reading \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n
\nTen years ago this month, Inc. Magazine\u2019s Bo Burlingham dubbed Ann Arbor-based Zingerman\u2019s \u201cThe Coolest Small Company in America.\u2019\u2019 Most entrepreneurs dream their company will grow big. Burlingham, during recent visits to Grand Rapids and Detroit, credited Ann Arbor-based Zingerman\u2019s \u2026 Continue reading \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"