Michigan’s Auto Industry Evolves with Advanced Air Mobility Award

Photo Credit: Blueflite

Jack Demmer Ford, DroneUp, Blueflite, and Lionbear Ventures partner to help shape the next era of aerial logistics.

Michigan’s mobility story is getting a new chapter—and this time, it’s airborne. Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Directive, publicly announced on July 17, 2025 via a press release, is taking a bold step toward the sky, establishing the Advanced Air Mobility Initiative. In a move that cements the state’s leadership in not just automotive innovation, but the future of transportation itself.

Spotlight on Awardees: Blueflite + Jack Demmer Ford 
Among the first to receive recognition (and funding) under this new initiative is the powerhouse partnership of Jack Demmer Ford, DroneUp and BlueFlite. Their project is already making headlines and driving LinkedIn buzz.

The vision? Create a future where Michigan-made products take flight - drone delivery will reduce delivery times, carbon emissions, and road congestion in the process. As Gov. Whitmer stated: “By leveraging drone delivery, the project aims at addressing current logistics challenges caused by road congestion and workforce shortages in urban settings like metro Detroit, creating a more resilient and efficient supply chain.”

Behind the Scenes: LionBear Ventures’ Strategic Lift
This award wasn’t luck - it was a calculated, collaborative effort. Lionbear Ventures (LBV), a grant writing partner to Centrepolis Accelerator, worked closely with the Michigan-based Demmer-DroneUp-BlueFlite team to develop, write, and submit the successful grant application. As a strategic consulting and grant-writing partner, LBV brought expertise in competitive positioning and state-level innovation programs, ensuring the proposal stood out among statewide applicants.

This is a textbook example of how local businesses, accelerators, and strategy teams can combine forces to win meaningful state investment and grow Michigan's innovation economy.

Mark Hatfield, Parts Department Manager at Jack Demmer Ford added, "Receiving the Advanced Air Mobility Award is an incredible honor for Jack Demmer Ford. This recognition not only affirms our commitment to innovation and sustainable transportation, but also strengthens our long-term vision of being at the forefront of the evolving mobility landscape. It reinforces our dedication to supporting next-generation technologies that will define the future of how people and goods move."

Why Advanced Air Mobility Matters for MichiganThis win isn’t just about one team, it is about Michigan’s long-term positioning in mobility leadership. When the state of Michigan supports mult-layer projects like this, the message is clear:

• Michigan isn’t just the home of the auto industry - Michigan is becoming the launchpad for the aerial mobility revolution.
• Michigan is investing in cleaner, faster, tech-forward logistics.
• Michigan’s future, for all its residents, aims to build infrastructure that supports everyone.
  
  

The Advanced Air Mobility Initiative is more than just a new policy in 2025...it’s a spark. And thanks to teams like Demmer, Centrepolis, and LBV, it’s already catching fire. Lionbear Ventures is proud to have supported this effort and celebrates the teams who are pushing Michigan forward on wheels, wings, and everything in between.

The future of logistics isn’t down the road. It’s above it.

If you are interested in securing grants or learning more about similar projects that aid in pushing Michigan forward, but perhaps you’re not sure where to begin, let's talk.