MI economic security linked to homeland defense

U.S. homeland security will be a pillar of Michigan’s New Economy, provided that business leaders, entrepreneurs, academic researchers and others quickly step forward to fill recently identified technology gaps in the nation’s domestic defense.

That’s the message authorities are seeking to get out as it becomes increasingly clear the health of the Michigan economy and that of U.S. security are closely intertwined. This business sector – along with clean energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and film/tourism – has long been touted as a key to economic diversification. More recently, however, federal officials have outlined concrete areas that might allow Michigan to become a market leader and win a significant share of the projected $60 billion in potential state-distributed spending on homeland security.

Specifically, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate fired off a 23-page report outlining technology gaps that need to be plugged fast. Those “High Priority Technology Needs” include support for these areas:

1. First Responder
2. Border Security
3. Cargo Security
4. Maritime Security
5. Cyber Security
6. Information Sharing
7. Interoperability
8. Transportation Security
9. Counter-IED
10. Chemical/Biological Defense
11. People Screening
12. Infrastructure Protection
13. Incident Management

In essence, that’s a shopping list DHS officials are this summer bringing to Michigan, appealing to businesses and individuals in the automotive, defense and technology industries for help. And they appear ready to dole out jobs in exchange for rapid-implementation products and solutions to their problems.

The edge for Michigan in supplying those solutions lies partly with the state’s proven engineering and scientific talent, globally respected research universities, and the nation’s largest commercial border crossing. Perhaps the most compelling advantage for Michigan, however, might actually be its rich automotive heritage and knowledge base. Experts believe that retooling auto manufacturing plants and utilizing existing facilities – in many cases with relatively minor adjustments – would allow Michigan to supply many items on the DHS wish list. That, however, assumes the right people step up and step forward to meet with federal officials.

“Meeting with industry leaders and technology providers to share information and ideas is an important step in providing the best solutions to border security challenges,” says Mark Borkowski, executive director of DHS Customs and Border Protection Secure Border Initiative.

Borkowski will be one of the speakers and participants at the Northern Border Security Conference scheduled for July 27-28 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. Other featured participants include Brad Buswell, deputy under secretary of the DHS S&T Directorate; David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research, Neal Belitsky, CEO of Detroit Windsor Tunnel LLC, and; Thomas Jeffers, vice president, OnStar.

“This conference is a major opportunity for many Michigan companies to put their best foot forward and shine – and help meet our nation's critical national security needs in the process," according to Leslie Touma, Founder and CEO of Michigan Security Network, the event organizer. “For individuals and companies who primarily service the defense and automotive industries, it provides a tremendous opportunity to highlight dual use, multi-functional technology that can provide important solutions for the homeland security market.”

Companies and individuals wishing to review and respond to technology gaps in the DHS High Priority Technology Needs document can do so at the web site http://www.michigansecuritynetwork.com/, where there is also information about the July conference in Dearborn.