Center established to train students in high-tech manufacturing

STERLING HEIGHTS

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Vicki Rowinski, second from right, vice president of the Macomb Automation and Robotics Zone and director of the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development, talks Oct. 19 with Hali Lenney from her county department, Kelley Lovati of the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce and John Majors, a business partner, at the celebration for the opening of MARZ’s new center in Sterling Heights.

Romeo Bulldogs robotics coach Mike Savage instructs a student on Romeo Bulldogs Team 3539 and another student from the Rising Star Academy Team 8364 on Oct. 19 at the opening celebraton of its new center in Sterling Heights.

A team photo of a robotics team with Macomb County officials at the Oct. 19 MARZ opening celebration in Sterling Heights. PHOTOS COURTESY MACOMB COUNTY

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By Jameson Cook

jcook@medianewsgroup.com

Leaders in business, education, government and economic development in Macomb County gathered to celebrate the new home of the Macomb Automation and Robotics Zone in Sterling Heights, according to MARZ officials.

MARZ, a nonprofit organization for students to explore robotics with support from the business community, has established its center of operations at the Advanced Manufacturing Commercialization Center, operated by the Pennsylvania-based, international company SAE Government Technologies, officials said in a news release.

The opening was celebrated Friday, Oct. 18, at the facility, located near Mound Road and Metropolitan Parkway, by dozens of people.

MARZ was created by Macomb County, Macomb Community College, the Macomb Intermediate School District and the city of Sterling Heights to enhance opportunities for K-12 students to discover careers in advanced manufacturing and robotics.

MARZ wrote the next day on its Facebook page, “Since founding in 2019, the dream has been to provide a place where students of all ages can gather to learn, experience and hone skills in automation and robotics. Access to tools of the trade and opportunities to interact with industry professionals is an effective way to inspire careers in advanced manufacturing.

“Nestled amongst the amazing work that SAE Government Technologies is doing for the Department of Defense at this one-of-a-kind center for commercialization, MARZ has landed, and they can’t wait to share their plans for the future with everyone!”

The center focuses on developing advanced processes, workforce training, data management, standards and additive/subtractive part builds to support modernization and sustainment for defense and commercial applications.

Mark Pickett, technology transfer program manager at SAE GT, said in the release: “SAE is excited about the impact this space will have on participating students. For more than 30 years, SAE’s ‘A World In Motion’ STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs have been providing hands-on STEM experiences in classrooms around the globe. Combined with the mission of MARZ to enhance career exploration in STEM for students across Macomb County, we believe our efforts effectively fuel development of our talent pipeline.”

Deputy County Executive John Paul Rea, who is MARZ president and Vicki Rowinski, county Planning and Economic Development Department, who is vice president, spoke at the event. County Executive Mark Hackel also spoke, and county Board of Commissioners Chair Don Brown attended.

The synergy around MARZ aligns with favorable trends for careers in automation and robotics in Macomb County, officials said. An estimated 87,000 jobs will be available in the coming decades in Macomb County with the emergence of advanced manufacturing and the concentration of careers in STEM-related fields.

On display during the grand opening was the newly acquired regulation-sized field to be used for practice by robotics teams preparing for competitions. The field was purchased with funds made available through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation and BAE Systems.

Students representing FIRST Robotics Teams at the event helped to demonstrate how the field will be used. MARZ also has a CNC machine and 3D printer available for teams to use.

MARZ receives vital support from grants and donations from organizations such as the GM Foundation, Verizon, AT&T, ITC Holdings and others that were acknowledged at the event.

“Since 2022 alone, MARZ has hosted more than 50 outreach workshops for over 300 students, and we’ve provided assistance to 24 teams to help them be more competitive with resources and support for team members,” Rowinski said. “We are actively seeking grants and donations to help us reach even more and acquire additionally needed resources.”