Regional Economic Report Casts Metro Detroit As A Leading Tech Hub

A new economic report from Automation Alley portrays Southeast Michigan as a national leader in tech sector jobs and engineering degrees.

"Challenges certainly remain, but the Detroit region is on the map as a technology hub, and well-positioned to solidify its standing," says the 13-page study being issued Tuesday morning at the business group's Troy headquarters. An advance copy was provided to Deadline Detroit.

Subtitled "From Rust to Resurgence," it's local boosterism is backed by data.

Economists compare the eight-county region surrounding Detroit with 14 other metro areas that have similar populations and industries, including Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Boston and Atlanta.

Each is ranked by the Anderson Economic Group, an East Lansing consulting firm, in categories called “innovation Indicators” -- patent activity, technology enterprises and higher ed degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Southeast Michigan ranks first in engineering and engineering technologies degrees completed at the region's colleges and universities and third in the overall number of STEM degrees earned in the most recent year studied, trailing Chicago and Boston.

It's fifth nationally in technology sector jobs, with nearly 211,000 positions in fields such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing and IT. Not surprisingly, the region leads first in advanced automotive sector employment -- with more engineers than any of the 13 other areas analyzed.

Southeast Michigan also is fifth in tech industry establishments, with about 7,100.

Southeast Michigan leads in architectural and engineering professionals, adding 3,500 jobs to overtake San Jose since Automation Alley's 2011 report.

Among nine Midwest regions analyzed, the greater Detroit area ranks third in patents awarded, after Chicago and Minneapolis, and second behind Chicago in STEM degree completion.

“These data highlight the economic recovery that is well underway across Automation Alley and Michigan, and show a foundation for more upside in the years to come,” said Patrick Anderson, principal and CEO of Anderson Economic Group. "We clearly have a tremendous advantage with our research institutions here."

In an introduction, Automation Alley executive director Ken Rogers writes:

My hope is that the media and business leaders of Southeast Michigan will use this information to set the record straight, to tell the real story: Our region is a hub for innovation.

His association has more than 900 members from these counties: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, St. Clair, Monroe and Genesee.

A PDF of the report can be downloaded at automationalley.com.