Navy Secretary Launches $50 Million Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has announced the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (M3) aimed at revitalizing the maritime industrial base workforce.

The initiative was unveiled at Macomb Community College, one of several academic partners dedicated to fostering the future maritime workforce in Michigan.

Backed by over $50 million in investments and various partnerships, the M3 initiative aims to create specialized and fast-track training programs for maritime manufacturing.

Initially, M3 will concentrate on developing submarine production skills before expanding to other shipbuilding areas. The initiative aims to create training programs focusing on maritime welding and machining to meet the Navy’s demand for new workers and enhance its competitive edge in the Great Lakes region.

“I’m thrilled to be in Michigan today to launch an investment of over $50 million for this critical effort to help rebuild our nation’s maritime manufacturing workforce,” said Secretary Del Toro. “This initiative underpins our Navy’s commitment to strengthen maritime dominance by enhancing strategic training partnerships across federal, state, and local entities while leveraging Michigan’s long-standing reputation as a manufacturing powerhouse.”

Michigan’s manufacturing sector, a leader in semiconductor chips, electric vehicle batteries, and clean energy, is poised to drive future manufacturing efforts. The M3 initiative will also help place program graduates with maritime suppliers to meet hiring demands, capitalizing on Michigan’s expertise in automotive and transportation industries.

The Michigan navy’s M3 initiative will leverage the state’s veteran population and labor strength through DoD Industrial Base Policy assessments and programs like SkillBridge, aligning with the National Defense Industrial Strategy.

“We are making investments to nurture and develop the skillsets that are vital to our national security; investments which will enable us to achieve the strategic priorities laid out in the National Defense Industrial Strategy,” said Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. “By partnering with Michigan’s auto manufacturing industry to grow the SIB, we are reimagining what is possible for manufacturing communities not just throughout Michigan, but across the country.”

Secretary Del Toro has been a strong advocate for bolstering domestic commercial and naval shipbuilding capabilities as part of his new Maritime Statecraft initiative, which aims to reinvigorate the U.S. as comprehensive maritime power to counter China’s aggressive pursuit of worldwide shipbuilding dominance.

Secretary Del Toro announced the M3 initiative alongside Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Gary Peters, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service James Rodriguez, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale.

“As we invest in training the next generation of workers, we send a clear message to manufacturers across the nation: come to Michigan,” Governor Whitmer said. “Here, we make stuff—whether it’s ships, semiconductor chips, or potato chips. We have the grit and know-how to produce anything America needs. Our defense industry contributes $30 billion to our economy, supporting more than 166,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 businesses. We produce more military vehicles than any other state and are home to major defense companies including General Dynamics, BAE, and GM Defense. With our growing veteran population—over 500,000 strong—Michigan is primed to remain a manufacturing powerhouse.”

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