AGP Executive Report

Groundwater Cleanup: A new EPA agreement with Gelman Sciences advances investigation and cleanup of Ann Arbor’s 1,4-dioxane plume, including more groundwater treatment and contaminated-soil removal. Cancer Testing: University of Michigan researchers found online education and phone coaching helped more eligible Michigan patients pursue genetic testing, though only 10% of participants had completed testing after a year. Freshwater Innovation: Northern Michigan startups showcased water technologies at a new BlueTech accelerator event, highlighting the region’s potential in the growing field. Battery Storage: GM is backing Peak Energy’s $108 million funding round for sodium-ion batteries aimed at grid storage, with development planned at GM’s Michigan battery labs. AI and Mobility: Michigan’s statewide AI directory, launching in November, will list more than 190 companies; meanwhile, $1.7 million in state grants will support 12 advanced air mobility projects. Rural Connectivity: Michigan’s $1.447 billion broadband expansion is moving forward, with projects targeting about 200,000 locations, many in rural communities.

BlueTech: Eight startups pitched freshwater solutions at Northern Michigan’s inaugural BlueTech Accelerator Showcase, from preventing harmful algae blooms to cutting water waste and giving utilities better data. Advanced Air Mobility: Gov. Whitmer awarded $1.7 million for 12 projects statewide to develop drone and other air-mobility uses. Cancer Research: A University of Michigan study found online education and phone coaching helped more eligible patients pursue genetic testing; just 10% of participants had completed testing after a year. Safer Streets: U-M will use a $5.66 million federal grant to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety at intersections. AI and Broadband: Michigan’s AI ecosystem directory, set to launch in November, will feature more than 190 companies; meanwhile, the state signed broadband expansion contracts with 23 providers as part of a $916 million plan targeting 200,000 locations.

Plant-Signal AI: Electric Plant raised $11.2 million to develop sensors and an AI model that reads plants’ electrical signals, with Michigan Rise among the investors. Water Innovation: Eight water-tech startups pitched in Traverse City, where 20Fathoms is offering support and funding to encourage founders to stay and grow locally. Drones & Mobility: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer awarded $1.7 million for 12 advanced air mobility projects across Michigan, while a new statewide directory aims to showcase more than 190 AI companies. Research & Roads: The University of Michigan received $5.66 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve safety at road intersections. Battery Technology: GM is backing a sodium-ion battery startup with $108 million in funding, a bet on a lower-cost alternative for energy storage and vehicles. AI and Voters: A University of Michigan-Flint researcher cautioned voters against relying on chatbots alone for ballot information, noting that AI can give inaccurate or biased answers.

Cancer Research: University of Michigan scientists say a “molecular glue” that stabilizes a tumor-suppressing protein could slow KRAS-mutated lung cancers and uterine cancer. Precision Medicine: U-M’s MiOncoSeq program is adding long-read DNA sequencing to uncover complex cancer changes that standard tests can miss. Data Center Scrutiny: EGLE heard public concerns over a wastewater permit for the Saline Township data center; the permit would allow treated wastewater to flow into the Saline River, with daily monitoring. Water Technology: Rockford-based Infrastructure Alternatives, which operates and upgrades water and sewer systems, has been acquired by Azuria Water Solutions; its Michigan team will remain in place. Student Innovation: Eastern Michigan University students are organizing a 24-hour hackathon on campus in November, open to college and high school builders. Great Lakes Research: A new study warns that even small oil spills can harm Great Lakes waters, prompting researchers to call for standardized U.S.-Canada spill reporting.

Auto & Battery Tech: GM is touting faster vehicle development, an AI assistant for Cadillac and new vehicle software. GM Ventures also led a $108 million investment in sodium-ion battery startup Peak Energy; GM is developing the cells in Michigan for grid-scale storage. Great Lakes Research: A Lake Superior State University-led study counted 6,453 oil spills in the basin from 2014 to 2024, but gaps in reporting leave their full environmental impact unclear. Researchers are urging standardized U.S.-Canada reporting. Health Innovation: Michigan Medicine plans a Troy center for cardiovascular care and advanced imaging, expected to open in late 2027 or early 2028. Separately, a U-M-led consortium could receive up to $52 million in NIH funding to study why respiratory infections affect children differently. Digital Infrastructure: Michigan broadband projects are advancing with $1.447 billion in investment, while proposed data centers are drawing local opposition over their costs and resource demands.

Innovation Links: Detroit’s Michigan Israel Business Accelerator launched a national exchange to connect Israeli technology with U.S. companies and attract investment and jobs. Health Research: A University of Michigan-led consortium could receive up to $52 million in NIH funding to study why viral respiratory infections cause lasting lung problems in some infants. Automotive Technology: GM reported strong quarterly revenue as it reshapes its EV strategy, while engineers are being urged to test battery ideas quickly in the push to compete with China. Digital Infrastructure: Michigan signed broadband contracts with 23 providers as part of a $916 million funding plan; meanwhile, residents are pushing back against large data center projects over their costs and local impacts. Advanced Manufacturing: Automation Alley secured a $7.5 million Army contract to advance distributed 3D manufacturing. Space Economy: The state is investing $1.2 million to help manufacturers enter the space industry, alongside plans for a new Michigan Space Innovation Hub.

Child Health Research: A University of Michigan-led consortium could receive up to $52 million to study why some infants develop lasting lung problems after viral infections. Researchers plan to follow 1,500 children through at least age four. AI and Elections: Researchers say accounts linked to India spread fake “man on the street” videos supporting a Michigan Senate candidate; who paid for them remains unknown. EV Engineering: General Motors is training engineers to “fail fast” as it intensifies its battery fight with China. Data Center Debate: Residents packed City Hall as a proposed $75 million Michigan data center was denied. Michigan’s Tech Economy: The state is advancing a space-industry network and a $1.45 billion broadband expansion aimed at 200,000 locations, with rural communities a major focus.

Next-Generation Computing: University of Michigan researchers are developing a device that uses magnetic and sound waves instead of moving electrons, with the potential to make computing much faster and more energy-efficient. The DARPA-funded project includes Wisconsin partners. Space Economy: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer launched a statewide network to grow Michigan’s space industry, while KMI Space received $3.5 million in state funding for a new spacecraft launch. Broadband Access: A $1.45 billion Michigan expansion aims to connect 200,000 locations, with rural communities a major focus. Advanced Manufacturing: FANUC opened an $18 million Auburn Hills academy for robotics, CNC and manufacturing technology training, expanding hands-on instruction for the industrial workforce.

Space Economy: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer launched a statewide network to grow Michigan’s space sector, while KMI Space received $3.5 million in state funding for a new spacecraft launch. Rural Connectivity: Michigan’s $1.447 billion broadband expansion aims to bring high-speed internet to nearly 200,000 homes, businesses and community institutions, with rural areas a major focus. PFAS and Farming: MDARD and MSU Extension are developing tools and support to help farmers address PFAS contamination. Workforce Training: Washtenaw Community College is launching a maritime welding program with a $630,000 grant. Energy and Computing: Michigan approved the next step in recovering nuclear fuel at Palisades, as safety advocates raise concerns; a separate debate over data centers highlights growing questions about the power needed to support expanding technology.

AI Policy: At an Eastpointe roundtable, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries heard Macomb County concerns about AI’s effects on workers and called for stronger oversight. Mobility and Manufacturing: A Bridgeport-made motorized shopping cart with fleet-management and collision-avoidance technology is a finalist for Michigan’s “Coolest Thing Made” award; Troy’s SPE Automotive Division also named finalists for its annual innovation awards. Defense Technology: Oshkosh Defense and Michigan Tech are building vehicle-mounted power kits to supply up to 120 kilowatts for military equipment, while a Michigan company’s solar-and-hydrogen nanogrid is designed to keep drones operating around the clock. Research and Health: MSU researchers identified enzymes that let tobacco plants produce a chemical found in poisonous plants, a step toward studying compounds with medical potential. Michigan Lyme cases have also climbed sharply, from 471 in 2020 to more than 2,000 in 2025, state health officials say. Energy and Industry: Michigan’s first U.S.-made lithium iron phosphate battery cells could strengthen domestic EV supply; meanwhile, the Palisades nuclear restart is advancing amid safety concerns.

Nuclear Safety: Federal regulators approved fuel-recovery work at Palisades, but Michigan safety advocates are raising concerns. Defense Energy: GM is pitching the Army a battery that could let diesel generators sit idle. A Michigan factory has also begun making the nation’s first lithium iron phosphate cells for everyday electric cars. Health Tech: A University of Michigan trial found telehealth counseling paired with a smartphone app cut risky firearm behavior by 57% among young people six months after an emergency-room visit. Space Economy: Michigan’s new Space Innovation Hub is launching with nearly $1.2 million to grow the state’s space industry; astronaut Jenni Gibbons discussed Artemis II training at an MSU event. Engineering: Michigan researchers say adjustable golf-ball dimples can reduce drag by 50%, while MSU teams are testing oral treatments to curb tick-borne illness in wild deer. Digital Infrastructure: Michigan’s data-center debate is sharpening around power needs and local impacts.

Automotive Technology: GM is using simulators to train for “eyes-off” driving, as it moves beyond hands-free systems. A Michigan plant has also built its first lithium iron phosphate battery cells, becoming the first U.S. producer of the lower-cost chemistry for everyday electric cars. Engineering Research: Michigan engineers say adjustable golf-ball dimples can cut drag by 50%. MSU researchers are testing oral treatments for wild deer to curb tick-borne illness. Space Industry: Michigan is putting $1.2 million toward a Space Innovation Hub to help manufacturers enter the sector. Surveillance Debate: Sterling Heights’ council is set to vote on renewing its Flock camera contract, despite public opposition; police say proposed safeguards would bar searches tied to immigration enforcement and reproductive health.

Aero and Underwater Design: University of Michigan engineers built a sphere with adjustable dimples that cut drag by 50% in wind-tunnel tests. Changing the surface texture also generated steering lift, offering a possible efficiency boost for future aircraft and underwater vehicles. Tick-Borne Disease: Michigan State researchers are testing oral treatments for wild deer to curb tick populations without gathering animals at shared feeding stations, which can spread disease. Battery Manufacturing: A Michigan plant has produced its first lithium iron phosphate cells, reportedly the first U.S. facility making the lower-cost battery chemistry for everyday electric cars. Nuclear Power: The federal government is offering up to $4.4 billion to help restart Michigan’s Palisades plant and two others, adding power as electricity demand climbs. Data Center Water Use: University of Michigan research suggests the water footprint of three planned Michigan data centers could rise by 14 billion gallons when water used to generate their electricity is counted.

Data & AI: East Lansing and Michigan State University start Data Week Oct. 19, with events on AI ethics, cybersecurity and data centers, ending in a public forum on rules for future proposals. Biomedical Research: A Michigan Medicine experimental drug reversed severe fatty liver disease in animal studies by protecting the gut barrier; human testing would still be needed. Autonomous Systems: Saginaw received $4 million from the state to study autonomous technology. Clean Transportation: Michigan’s environmental agency launched grants to replace diesel refuse trucks with electric models. Water Quality: A new report found PFAS in 15 Michigan waterways, underscoring the need to track contamination. Advanced Manufacturing: Automation Alley won $7.5 million for a distributed-manufacturing project, while Michigan Tech’s APS Labs partnered with Oshkosh Defense on mobile power-generation technology.

Anesthesia Research: A University of Michigan study of 12,818 procedures found GE HealthCare’s End-tidal Control software was associated with 62.3% lower median fresh-gas flow and 39.3% less sevoflurane use. Autonomous Transit: Saginaw’s regional transit agency won $4 million in state grants, including funding to study autonomous vehicles for a medical corridor. PFAS Watch: A new report found contamination in 15 of 19 Michigan waterways tested from 2022 to 2024, while many waterways remain untested. Space Industry: Michigan announced a new Space Innovation Hub to strengthen the state’s role in the space economy. Connected Cars: GM is replacing a single large map file for Super Cruise with more than 220,000 smaller tiles, enabling vehicles to download road data for their routes. Nuclear Power: The federal government is backing the restart of Michigan’s Palisades plant as part of a broader push to add power for homes, businesses and data centers.

Space Economy: Gov. Whitmer announced a Michigan Space Innovation Hub, backed by nearly $1.2 million to help manufacturers enter the sector. Marquette’s KMI Space also secured $3.5 million to develop a satellite-servicing craft, with 60 jobs planned. Advanced Manufacturing: Automation Alley won a $7.5 million federal task to advance secure distributed manufacturing. Digital Infrastructure: Google won zoning approval for a major data center near Detroit Metro, putting local impacts and power demand in focus. Consumer AI: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined states seeking privacy and safety safeguards for Character.AI users as the company enters bankruptcy. Clean Transport: EGLE opened grants to help replace diesel refuse trucks with zero-emission vehicles.