Canton Township will soon become home to a $148 million Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing Innovation Institute, President Obama said in an announcement from the White House Tuesday afternoon. The institute is expected to open this spring; one source said a building has been identified in Canton Township to locate the institute, but that a lease has not been signed. The goal of the research institute is to take the innovations made in laboratories with lightweight metals and use them commercially in automobiles, aircraft and other industries. The long-term goal of the institute is to expand the market and create new consumers for lightweight metals and alloys, according to the White House. EWI led a consortium of 60 universities, businesses and organizations, including Wayne State University. Jeff Mason, executive director of the University Research Corridor, said the institute will be a tremendous opportunity in the areas of new materials and lightweight metals, which will be essential to meet the coming federal fuel economy standards. "It's all about powertrain and materials and taking weight out of the vehicles," Mason said. The institute will receive $70 million in federal funds over the next five years. The members of the consortium will contribute an additional $78 million and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. will contribute $10 million.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140225/NEWS/140229911/obama-details-plans-for-canton-based-modern-metals-institute
http://www.freep.com/article/20140225/BUSINESS06/302250097/manufacturing-institute-canton
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140225/BIZ/302250029/0/update/Live-video-Obama-unveils-Michigan-manufacturing-partnership