Drone Park Planned for Battle Creek Executive Airport to Receive $7M in State Funding

The 200-acre site will support urban and advanced air mobility manufacturing, operations, maintenance, repair, training, and more.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, August 08, 2023 at 01:39 PM ET

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Duncan Aviation’s maintenance hub at Battle Creek Executive Airport. [Courtesy: Duncan Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Michigan is establishing MICH-AIR, a 200-acre "drone park" in Battle Creek, recently securing $7 million in state funding to become a major hub for the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry.
MICH-AIR aims to attract large aviation and defense manufacturers for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, driving innovation, operations, and job creation.
The facility will focus on commercial and military applications rather than recreational use, helping to position Michigan as a leader in the rapidly expanding AAM sector.

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California has Silicon Valley. North Carolina has the Research Triangle. And soon, Michigan will have MICH-AIR.

In development since 2018, the proposed 200-acre “drone park” now looks like a sure thing after Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU), the nonprofit business and economic development arm for the city of Battle Creek, received a $7 million allocation in the state’s 2024 budget. Now, the site at 97-year-old Battle Creek Executive Airport (KBTL) could serve as a hub for the emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) industry.