Home | About |

Expand in Michigan

Michigan has the welcome mat out for new businesses, and offers some distinct advantages and incentives for companies locating to the state, a fact which is being increasingly recognized by national and international observers.

Businesses are coming to Michigan, and businesses are expanding their operations here because of a business-friendly environment that ranks among the best in the nation. Michigan’s core industries include:

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNOLOGY

MOBILITY & AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING

PROFESSIONAL & CORPORATE SERVICES

TECH

ENGINEERING, DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

SEMICONDUCTOR

The information above come from the website of our partner & corporate member Michigan Economic Development Corporation. If you are interested in hearing more details about the economic enviroment in Michigan, please contact our Board Director Vlatko-Tomic-Bobas.

Why Expand in Michigan?

  • GLOBALLY ACCESSIBLE LOCATION & SUPPLY CHAIN

    Michigan is within 500 miles of nearly half the U.S. and Canadian population and commerce centers providing unparalleled access to market.

  • ABUNDANT & TALENTED WORKFORCE

    Michigan is home to a wealth of highly skilled talent, from having the highest concentration of engineers in the nation to a skilled trades workforce that ranks in the top ten nationally.

  • GATEWAY FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

    Michigan is a top 3 state for foreign direct investment and Detroit is the number 1 metropolitan area for FDI projects, according to Site Selection magazine.

Favorable Tax System

6%

Corporate Income Tax

4.25%

Personal (flat) Income Tax

6%

Sales Tax (no local Sales Tax)

French Presence in Michigan

The French presence in Michigan started in the 17th century. The French influence can be seen today in many cities, street and place names and in the strong presence of a number of French cultural and business organizations.

Approximately 145 French automotive subsidiaries are located in Michigan with many having additional offices here (source: Business France). Included among these are the well-recognized names of many large French companies, such as Faurecia, Hutchinson, Delmia and Dassault, Valeo, and Plastic Omnium. Additionally, there are many other French companies engaged in varied fields including aerospace, retail, luxury goods, food and wine products, advanced technology, and medical products.

Scupture of Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac

We offered a sculpture of Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac depicted as he first stepped foot on the soil that would become Detroit, in honor of the Detroit 300 Tricentennial celebration.

The sculpture was chosen by a committee which included representatives of the French-American Chamber of Commerce, the City of Detroit, the Detroit Historical Society, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Detroit 300 Tricentennial Committee.The sculpture is flanked by a Detroit Tricentennial plaque titled « The Cadillac Convoy » listing the men who were with Cadillac when he landed, and another plaque titled « The Landing of Cadillac » designating the sculpture as a registered Michigan historic site.

Inscription on base plaque:

“Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac 1658-1730 Founder of the City of Detroit Dedicated July 24, 2001 In commemoration of the tricentennial of his arrival. Sculptors William Kieffer and Ann Feeley A gift to the people of the French-American Chamber of Commerce Auto Chassis International-Burelle Dessault Systemes -Delmia -Faurecia Hutchinson Jean-Pierre Kemper -Bruno Marko -Sescoi Sofanou -Valeo Arcadis Giffels-; Barton Malo Detroit Recreation Department.”

History of the French presence in Michigan

More than three centuries ago Europeans from France came to the Great Lakes region. They made the long trip across the Atlantic for many reasons. Merchants came for fur. Missionaries came to convert Native Americans to Christianity. Soldiers came to forward the French government’s agenda. All three groups of Frenchmen interacted with the Native Americans already living in the region, often hoping to achieve very different ends.

  • 1620

     

    Frenchman Étienne Brûlé visits Michigan

    Étienne Brûlé was the first European to visit Michigan. He started his expedition at Quebec City in Canada and traveled as far as the Upper Peninsula, which would eventually become part of Michigan.

  • 1668

     

    Jacques Marquette founds the 1st permanent European settlement in Michigan

    The first permanent European settlement in Michigan was founded by French explorer and priest Jacques Marquette at Sault Ste. Marie.

  • 1701

     

    A French settlement is established at Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit

    Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit would become the city of Detroit. The Fort was established by French officer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac on the west bank of the Detroit River. Early French colonial settlements in the area were based on the fur trade, missions and farms.

  • 1837

     

    Michigan becomes a state

*Source: Clarke Historical Library, French American Cultural Foundation

Iconic spots in Michigan

The Mackinac Bridge
The Mackinac Bridge

Are you ready to take the next step and expand your business in Michigan?

BECOME A MEMBER CONTACT US CHECK OUR USEFUL LINKS

We are a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to the development of commercial relations between French and American businesses.

c/o Wipfli
2000 Town Center, Suite 1800
Southfield, MI 48075

+ (248) 365-0535

Or reach us via email:
[email protected]

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get our president’s economic insights, our latest news
and event agenda straight to your email inbox!

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Skip to content