Project will go through several steps, bring in community input before shovels in ground

LANSING, MI - On October 3, 2024, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined leaders from Saab and the state of Michigan to celebrate the launch of the new $75 million facility in Grayling Township, which will create 70 high-quality local jobs, increase domestic manufacturing, and strengthen our national defense.  

“We look forward to welcoming Saab to Michigan as they establish their first footprint here with a $75 million investment in Grayling Township to build on our reputation as a national leader in defense and advanced manufacturing,” said Governor Whitmer. "We look forward to Saab's future growth in Michigan and will work with local partners to get this project across the finish line the right way, ensuring community input is plugged in every step of the way. Together, we will work to build up our economy, bringing good-paying jobs and important industries home to Michigan. Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator with our economic development so we can support everything from small start ups to established companies like Saab. Let’s keep winning for Team Michigan.”  

“Given current global security challenges, it is critical the United States strengthens our national defense capacity. We are proud to partner with the state of Michigan and the local community to establish a world-class facility that, with Saab’s range of products, will increase and modernize the domestic production of munition systems,” said Erik Smith, President and CEO of Saab in the U.S. “We are making a long-term commitment not only to the U.S. defense industrial base, but to the local community as well. Saab plays a positive role in the communities where we live and work, creating jobs and investing in the local community, and we look forward to joining the Grayling community.” 

Last week, the MSF board approved support for Saab Inc., which plans to establish an integration and assembly facility in Grayling to support the engineering and production of cutting-edge products to meet the needs of the U.S. Military. With more than 22,000 employees globally across every continent, this assembly facilities will mark Saab’s first investment in Michigan. The facility will include jobs across all aspects of the company’s land-based system products, including manufacturing production and assembly positions to testing, engineering and operations jobs with wages starting well above the current regional median wage.     

By the numbers: The project is being supported by a $3.5 million Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) grant and approval of a 15-year, 100% SESA exemption with an estimated value of up to $664,500 for its eligible investment in Eligible Personal Property.    

Later this year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, under an existing memorandum of understanding with the local community, will publicly notice and consider a sale of land for the facility.  

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has been committed to making sure that everyone can “Make it in Michigan” by making economic development a top priority. In 2024, Governor Whitmer announced the new Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI), which has helped grow the state’s defense and aerospace industry. Specifically, ODAI will increase awareness of Michigan’s capabilities, support attraction and expansion of businesses that champion Department of Defense-related activities and enhance commercial and defense-related aerospace segments poised for growth.