Talks afoot to bring Airbus to Alpena

ALPENA -- If local efforts fall into place, corporate giant Airbus could open manufacturing facilities in Michigan -- and possibly Alpena.

Jim Makowske, CEO of the Alpena-based Michigan Unmanned Aerial Systems Consortium, said talks began when he met representatives from Airbus at an industry convention in 2016, and then later when former lieutenant governor Brain Calley and he traveled to Europe on a recruiting mission.

Makowske said no deal is imminent, but talks are ongoing.

Makowske said Airbus is looking to sell its solar-powered Zephyr drone, and any country that becomes a customer could have it produced there, as well.

"They haven't sold or manufactured it in the United States, yet, but their commitment to us is, when the time comes, the countries in which they sell, they will build in," Makowske said. "They are interested in coming here if the market allows them, and if they do, they are very serious about Alpena."

Makowske said the Michigan Economic Development Corp. has been engaged in the talks, as well.

The talks have gotten as far as infrastructure and workforce availability is in the area, and how it fits what Airbus would need.

"There are a lot of factors that have to be looked at, and we're really not to that point, yet," he said. "We need them to find a market in the United States and then things would look good for Michigan and Alpena, because we had the first relationship with them."

James Darcy, spokesman for Airbus North America, said the company is always looking to expand operations in new markets and already has a presence in Michigan, as well as other parts of the U.S. He would neither confirm or deny any interest in Alpena.

"Airbus is always looking for opportunities to expand our industrial footprint when there is a business case for doing so, as we've done with assembly lines for airplanes in Alabama, helicopters in Mississippi and satellites in Florida," Darcy said in a statement. "We also invest $15 billion annually with our U.S. suppliers across the country, of which more than a dozen are located in Michigan."

Makowske said that, despite the positive developments, it is important for people to remember that such projects often move at a snail's pace, and negotiations are sensitive and private.

The consortium has had to adapt to a changing drone industry, but has become diverse as a result.

Over the last several years, it has built solid relationships with large companies, such as Airbus, and government bodies like MEDC.

Those relationships and others big and small have helped the nonprofit become a major player in the unmanned aircraft sector in Michigan and beyond.

On Wednesday, Makowske said goals have changed since the Alpena County Board of Commissioners spent $500,000 in 2011 to hire Explorer Solution to lead an effort to offer drone testing at the Alpena airport, as well as possible manufacturing near it. Now, the consortium acts as a consultant for MEDC and other companies, helping them navigate the complicated and ever-changing regulations and landscape of the industry.

Makowske said the consortium is a partner with PlanetM, which is the mobility arm of the MEDC.

When companies seek funds, the applications are forwarded to Makowske's team. That team checks the project's validity and potential and then sends recommendations back to PlanetM. The state agency, in turn, releases money to the consortium, which contracts with the state funding recipients.

Makowske said that arrangement has been beneficial to the consortium, to the state, and to companies looking to develop products and technology.

"Basically, PlanetM has been a feeder system for us," Makowske said. "We are working to help Michigan become more competitive in the (unmanned aerial systems) industry, and we are out there continuously casting our net, never knowing for sure who we're going to capture. If we don't keep casting and recasting, you're going to end up with nothing. If you keep casting, you never know when you are going to get that big fish you're after. We have had to adapt and adjust over the years, but, if we wouldn't have, we wouldn't be around today."