Talent That Engineers & Builds

For decades, our talent has designed, engineered, and revolutionized new solutions for businesses around the world. Today, that legacy of innovation is still going strong. From mobility technology to smart manufacturing, the Detroit Region is a global hub for research and development with the fifth largest talent pool working in research in the U.S.

The Detroit Region also boasts the second largest concentration of engineering talent in the U.S. and the most commercial and industrial designers in the country. With a skilled workforce of 2.6 million people, the Detroit Region has the high-quality talent you need at remarkably affordable rates, costing 30% less than talent in San Francisco and New York City.

A North American Gateway to Global Connectivity

The Detroit Region’s centralized location and robust transportation infrastructure connects you with the world. Our region offers unparalleled access to the U.S. and Canadian markets–with half their combined population within a 10-hour drive.

Situated right on the Canadian border, The Detroit Region has the busiest North American border crossing in the United States. The region’s international border currently sees more freight traffic than any other border in the world, and the State of Michigan is planning to further expand cross-border trade with the new Gordie Howe International Bridge in 2024.

The Detroit Region also has seven major interstates, four Class I railroads, seven cargo ports, and 15 airports. Our largest international airport is the nationally ranked Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which offers over 140 non-stop flight destinations to four continents. And with 7,062 square miles of land surrounded by 20% of the world’s freshwater supply, the region has ample space and resources for your development.

Top Three in Design

The Detroit Region is made for creative minds and inventive designs. Our long history of ingenuity has propelled innovation across countless industries, from manufacturing to logistics to digital technology.

The Detroit Region is the fastest-growing and third largest design hub in the United States, only behind New York City and Los Angeles. Detroit is also the first and only U.S. city to be designated a UNESCO City of Design, connecting the region to design cities around the world. And with its lower cost of living, Detroit provides world-class design talent at the most affordable rate. 

Detroit’s design industry is deeply entwined in our region’s culture and community. We teach top talent at the College for Creative Studies and the Cranbrook Academy of Art, the United States’ top-ranked school devoted exclusively to graduate education in art, architecture, craft, and design. And each September, we host a Month of Design to celebrate designers from budding studios and established companies alike.

Next Generation Mobility Starts Here

The Detroit Region is at the forefront of autonomous vehicle and mobility technology, boasting the world’s largest automotive cluster and the second greatest concentration of engineering talent in the U.S.

From GM to Google, global automotive leaders are all investing in the Detroit Region. Stellantis, formerly known as FCA, invested $1.6 billion to build the first new auto plant in the U.S. in over a decade. Ford is investing $740 million in an electric and autonomous vehicles hub, and Google invested another $17 million to expand its self-driving car project: Waymo. All together, 73% of the United States’ private-sector automotive R&D is invested directly in the Detroit Region.

With their support, we have become a national leader in automotive innovation. The region is home to the American Center for Mobility, the country’s premier test bed for connected and automated vehicles. And Michigan is the top state for connected vehicle operational deployments funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

As the automotive industry has advanced, the region has also become a burgeoning hub for software development. Our expert talent, low cost of doing business, and competitive tax structure has attracted some of the world’s largest tech companies, including Amazon, Twitter, Microsoft, and LinkedIn.

An Exceptional Education Ecosystem

With 295 post-secondary institutions within a five-hour radius, the Detroit Region offers a robust educational community to teach your future talent.

The Detroit Region is home to three major universities within 90 miles of each other: the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University. The University of Michigan is the third best public school in the U.S., with the top management and marketing programs in the nation. And Michigan State University has the No. 1 supply chain school in the country, supporting the region’s booming logistics industry.

These universities contribute to one of the United States’ top academic research clusters and Michigan’s University Research Corridor–a dedicated research alliance between the three tier-one universities. The University Research Corridor graduates more than 35,000 students annually and invests $2.3 billion in research and development each year.

Beyond these universities, the region is also a hub for technical schools and colleges, generating highly educated, specialized innovators across all industries. Our community college network partners with local businesses to customize their workforce training programs and fully prepare our talent for the job market. 

Great Lakes. Great Living. Great Options.

Whether you want to live in a cosmopolitan metro, a charming suburb, or a rural spot off the beaten path, the Detroit Region has a home that’s right for you. 

The City of Detroit offers a wide range of amenities, entertainment, and unique things to do–from music to sports. Detroit is one of only five U.S. cities with a professional basketball, baseball, football, and hockey team. The local museum district features the internationally acclaimed Detroit Institute of Arts and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The city has the second biggest theater district in the United States with more than 40 theaters, and National Geographic even ranked Detroit as the top “unexpected food city” in North America.

When it comes to the great outdoors, the Detroit Region offers 2,600 parks, easy access to the Great Lakes, and even four ski resorts throughout the region. Each year, millions flock to the largest city park in the United States: Belle Isle, a 982-acre island park with trails, water sports, and museums. And for golf enthusiasts, Michigan is home to more public golf courses than any other state, regularly hosting PGA tours in the local area.

Best of all, our low cost of living means you can enjoy life in the region at an affordable price, making your dollar last longer compared to other major metros.