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  • In less than 2 years, campus catalyzed by Ford Motor Co. has grown to nearly 125 startups and 700 employees.

  • Visit highlights already-robust trade relationship between EU, Michigan. 

DETROIT – Ambassadors from around the European Union toured Michigan Central today to see first-hand the innovation ecosystem that has blossomed in Detroit.

EU Ambassador to the U.S. Jovita Neliupšienė led a delegation of ambassadors and deputy ambassadors representing 20 EU member states to Detroit to get to know the Motor City and to meet with state and local leaders. For the diplomats, such visits are an important part of learning more about the U.S., building connections with leaders, and for highlighting the importance of EU-U.S. relations.

Since opening in April 2023, Michigan Central has become a leader in mobility innovation and become home to 122 startups. The tech ecosystem was catalyzed by a $950 million commitment from Ford Motor Co., and is centered around the restoration of the historic Michigan Central Station, which had stood empty since 1988.

Following the nearly 170,000 guests who have toured the iconic landmark since its June reopening, the diplomats visited The Station and learned about both its past and its future. The ambassadors also toured Newlab at Michigan Central next door.

“We are honored that so many world leaders wanted to see the community that we are building at Michigan Central,” said Joshua Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central. “We have seen remarkable growth and collaboration in our first year and a half, and the ambassadors’ visit shows that the world is taking notice of what is happening here in Detroit.”

In July, Michigan Central founding partner Google’s immersive computer science education program, Code Next, became the first tenant to move into The Station’s office tower. Anchoring The Station’s youth programming floor, Code Next is a key piece of Michigan Central’s larger skills training initiative, which provides free job training for Detroit residents and grows the Michigan Central innovation ecosystem. Earlier this month, Ford’s Model e and Integrated Services teams also began moving into their new offices inside The Station.

“The innovations at Michigan Central are redefining mobility for Detroit and cities around the world,” EU Ambassador to the U.S. Jovita Neliupšienė said. “It was inspiring to explore Newlab at Michigan Central and to see what the future holds for greener, sustainable urban transport, a vision Europe and the U.S. have in common.”

The EU and Michigan have a robust trade footprint, with $121.1 billion invested in the state by EU-based companies, as of 2023. There also have been more than 164,952 jobs created in Michigan from EU-based investments. Michigan’s leading exports include vehicle parts, cars, pharmaceuticals and medicine, agricultural goods, and more. The EU is the United States’ most important trade partner, generating 1.3 million jobs nationally, $2.4 trillion in investment and $609 billion in exports.

While in Detroit, diplomats also met Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, and a host of other local dignitaries. Diplomats also toured the historic Fox Theatre and sampled rival coney dogs at Lafayette and American coney islands over lunch. The ambassadors and deputy ambassadors will meet with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist on Friday.

Touring Michigan Central’s campus and Detroit today were:

  1. Austria: Ambassador Petra Schneebauer

  1. Cyprus: Ambassador Evengelos Savva

  1. Czech Republic:  Ambassador Miloslav Stašek

  1. Denmark: Ambassador Jesper Moeller Soerensen

  1. EU: Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė

  1. Greece: Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika

  1. Hungary: Ambassador Szabolcs Takács

  1. Latvia: Ambassador Elita Kuzma

  1. Lithuania: Ambassador Audra Plepyte

10. Luxembourg: Ambassador Nicole Bintner-Bakshian

11.  Netherlands: Ambassador Birgitta Tazelaar

12.  Portugal: Ambassador Francisco Duarte Lopes

13.  Slovak Republic: Ambassador Radovan Javorčík

14.  Spain: Ambassador Angeles Moreno Bau

15.  Belgium: Chargée d’Affaires, Sophie Karlshausen

16.  Bulgaria: Deputy Ambassador Valentin Nikolov

17.  Estonia: Deputy Ambassador Inga Bowden

18.  Finland: Deputy Ambassador Marjut Akola

19.  France: Deputy Ambassador Agnès von der Mühll

20.  Ireland: Deputy Ambassador Fionnuala Quinlan

21.  Italy: Consul General Allegra Baistrocchi