Michigan’s BlueTech Innovation Hub

Traverse Connect is the Traverse City region’s lead economic development organization. Our region is looking forward to a bright future amidst the burgeoning blue economy, estimated to grow to $3T globally by 2030 (The World Bank). By pairing our unique geography and unparalleled access to water with the surge in freshwater and marine innovation and research advancements, there is great opportunity to create new cleantech, forward-thinking businesses, while protecting and preserving the Great Lakes.

Learn more about moving your business to the Grand Traverse region, the home of Michigan’s BlueTech Innovation Hub, and contact Traverse Connect.

The Freshwater Research & Innovation Center will be a state-of-the-art facility that provides a unique environment for smart collaboration between students, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and the developing workforce. A shared physical space and community where ideas become solutions, technologies become ventures, and opportunities become careers. The Center will be where water education, research, and innovation translate directly into BlueTech sector jobs and new businesses.

The Freshwater Research & Innovation Center is a joint venture of Discovery Pier and Northwestern Michigan College with support from Traverse Connect, Michigan Technological University, and 20Fathoms. Located on Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Mich., the center will serve as the epicenter of water innovation by connecting education, research, industry, and community for sustainable growth in the blue tech sector.

Learn more about the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center, opening in 2027.

Michigan’s original community college, Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) provides lifelong learning opportunities to our communities and serves people, organizations and businesses throughout the Grand Traverse region.

NMC has been active in academic programming and professional development training in all focus areas of BlueTech, including autonomous and remote technology, freshwater and marine technologies and emerging environmental technologies. NMC students will also have access to the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center for experiential learning opportunities and for research projects for students in NMC’s bachelor’s degree in Marine Technology.

NMC BlueTech Programs:

Great Lakes Water Studies Program: Nationally recognized Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Technology
Associate degrees in Marine Technology, Water Quality Environmental Technology, and Freshwater Studies (transfer)
Professional training arm through the Marine Center
Great Lakes Maritime Academy, one of only six federally recognized maritime academies
Engineering transfer pathways
Uncrewed Aerial Systems (drone operations)

FishPass is the capstone of a ~20y restoration project on the Boardman (Ottaway) River, Traverse City, Michigan, re-connecting the river with Lake Michigan. FishPass will replace the deteriorating Union Street Dam with a new, complete barrier to all fish that will have the ability to sort and selectively pass desirable fishes while blocking harmful invaders like sea lamprey. While fully automated selective passage is the long-term goal of the project, passage of any fish during the initial 10-yrs will be coordinated with fishery management agencies, limited in number, and restricted to fishes native to the upper Great Lakes.

FishPass encompasses the following three main elements:

• Physical: A 6.5 ft vertical barrier across the entire river, a nature-like river channel, a fish-sorting channel, a research and education building, and a park.
• Research: A place for scientists to use a variety of techniques and technologies to determine the most effective means of sorting desirable and undesirable fishes below a barrier.
• Education: A community outreach and education center in a revitalized city park.

20Fathoms’ mission is to accelerate the growth of tech startups, entrepreneurs, and scalable businesses in Northwest Michigan. It does this by delivering essential startup services, providing a community workspace, and connecting entrepreneurs with crucial resources that facilitate business growth.

20Fathoms provides pipeline development for the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center

• BlueTech Entrepreneur-in-Residence
• Uncovering University IP
• Identifying BlueTech entrepreneurs, technologies
• Transform potential of the Freshwater Center & FishPass
• Provide support resources