Gov. Whitmer Announces 182 New Jobs, Three Business Expansions in Jackson and West Michigan 

The VA-120 Vantage long-endurance vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft pictured on the Vertical Autonomy website. 

(August 11, 2026 12:12 AM ET) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced three new small business expansion announcements in Jackson and Hillsdale Counties, Berrien and Kalamazoo Counties, and Kent County that will result in more than $42.2 million in capital investment, creating at least 182 new jobs.

“Michigan is on the move and open for business, competing for and winning big projects in next-generation industries like defense and medical manufacturing,” said Governor Whitmer. “These three business expansions will create 182 new good-paying jobs and help cement Michigan as the best place to chase the next big idea. Let’s keep working together to show the world that Michigan is the best place to build the future.”

Vertical Autonomy, a Michigan-based unmanned systems company that designs, manufactures, and operates advanced vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) autonomous aircraft and supporting autonomy systems, has announced plans to establish a centralized manufacturing and operations hub in Jackson County and upgrade existing infrastructure in Hillsdale County. As a newly formed organization resulting from the acquisition of unmanned aircraft assets and intellectual property formerly held by L3Harris, Vertical Autonomy is seeking to consolidate and relocate key operational assets currently located in California and Arizona to Michigan.

The company currently occupies a temporary site in the City of Jackson and expects to obtain a permanent site in Jackson County in late 2026, which will work in conjunction with its existing location in the City of Hillsdale (Hillsdale County). Along with a new facility, Vertical Autonomy expects to upgrade existing infrastructure, which includes a mobile flight control center, specialized support vehicles, and enhanced utility connections required for testing, assembly, and operations. This investment will support the state’s advanced aircraft manufacturing industry, positioning Michigan as the global leader in high-technology aerospace and defense activity.

The project is being awarded a $455,000 Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund and is expected to create at least 70 qualified new jobs with starting wages of $30 per hour plus benefits, which is above the Regional Median Wage of $23.17 per hour. The project will also bring an anticipated capital investment of at least $28.72 million in the City of Hillsdale and Jackson County, including capital investment in machinery and equipment exceeding $22 million and more than $5 million expected in construction and site improvements.

The new hub will support growth driven by an increasing demand for advanced unmanned aerial systems and the pursuit of high-value contracts, including opportunities with the U.S. military and public safety agencies.

“Michigan has long been where ambitious ideas take flight. We are thrilled to establish Vertical Autonomy here and create a world-class family of drones—designed, engineered, and built by the same Michigan talent that has powered generations of transportation innovation,” said Stephen Ziegenfuss, co-founder, Vertical Autonomy.

“We are proud to build on our championship motorcycle and engine success to develop best-in-class autonomous drones that require no runway and can remain airborne for up to 16 hours—all designed and built here in Michigan,” added Mike Tinskey, co-founder, Vertical Autonomy.

Vertical Autonomy’s mission is to deliver unmanned systems that provide actionable intelligence and enhance decision-making for defense, public safety, scientific, and commercial customers. The company is primarily engaged in the defense drone market and serves U.S. government customers through federal contracting relationships.

To support the development and preparation of its workforce, Vertical Autonomy will deploy a blended training model combining internally developed programs with registered apprenticeship opportunities; the company plans to partner with local training providers, the State of Michigan, and the U.S. Department of Labor to develop apprenticeship curricula that support the next generation of skilled talent, ensuring employees continuously adapt to evolving technologies.

“Vertical Autonomy’s expansion in Michigan advances the core vision of our strategic plan by strengthening a defense and aerospace ecosystem built on innovation, advanced manufacturing, and the technologies that define the future,” said Col. John T. Gutierrez, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), executive director for the Office of Defense & Aerospace Innovation. “Their commitment to Jackson and Hillsdale strengthens Michigan’s position as the center of gravity for next-generation unmanned systems and accelerates our rise as the global leader in autonomy and aerospace.”

“Michigan launched the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Initiative to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation aviation technologies, and investments like Vertical Autonomy’s demonstrate that the strategy is delivering results,” said Justine Johnson, Michigan’s Chief Mobility Officer. “By expanding advanced manufacturing capacity, creating high-quality jobs, and strengthening our innovation ecosystem, projects like this reinforce Michigan’s leadership in AAM and autonomous aircraft.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Vertical Autonomy to Jackson County,” said Keith Gillenwater, president & CEO of Accelerate Jackson County. “Vertical Autonomy locating in the City of Jackson represents a huge leap forward for our community by marrying a company deploying cutting edge technology creating purpose-built VTOL aircraft with a community that knows how to build things better than anywhere in the world.  We are excited to support VA’s growth in Jackson County.”

Other companies included in the announcement and their expansion plans:

 R.W. LaPine, Inc., a Michigan-founded company that specializes in mechanical contracting, metal fabrication, and HVAC services, is planning to expand operations at its headquarters in Comstock Township (Kalamazoo County) and facility in St. Joseph (Berrien County). Founded in 1944 in Paw Paw by Roy Wilson LaPine, the company has grown over four generations of family ownership and employs 286 people in the state.

Shoulder Innovations, a Michigan-based medical technology company exclusively focused on transforming the shoulder surgical care market, is looking to expand its operations in West Michigan to meet rapidly growing customer demand and interest. The company plans to move its existing headquarters in Grand Rapids to a site in Byron Township (Kent County) that supports its continued growth while retaining its distribution hub and corporate functions under one roof.  This expansion will bring a total capital investment of at least $4,935,646 to Byron Township and create at least 42 new jobs with starting wages of at least $24 per hour, plus benefits.

“Today’s announcement highlights the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s ongoing commitment to helping businesses of every size succeed and expand in communities across the state,” said Matt McCauley, Senior Vice President of Regional Development at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “We applaud Vertical Autonomy, R.W. LaPine, and Shoulder Innovations for their continued investment in Michigan and their commitment to creating quality jobs, strengthening local economies, and helping build thriving communities throughout the state.”