Why battery businesses should take a closer look at the West Michigan Lakeshore region’s manufacturing expertise and supplier network
By Ryan Ferrier, Director of Business Retention & Attraction at Lakeshore Advantage
Energy storage is a growing part of the economy, and West Michigan’s Lakeshore region has the right ingredients for battery and energy storage companies to innovate and grow. Anchored by companies including LG Energy Solution Michigan and Clarios, the region combines manufacturing expertise with an established network of testing and validation, agile innovators, and automation expertise. Located between Chicago and Detroit, the region offers a strong foundation for battery and energy storage companies to locate, innovate and grow.
Our team hit the road in October for The Battery Show North America in Detroit, bringing home insights into where the battery industry is headed, and what that means for West Michigan’s Lakeshore region. One clear takeaway: the opportunity extends well beyond electric vehicles, with openings for manufacturers, entrepreneurs and businesses across the battery ecosystem.
We learned a lot about an industry still growing, even if on a less predictable path. Demand varies across applications, battery chemistries are evolving, and some factories have more capacity than customers currently need. Here’s how those shifts translate into opportunities for our region, and where our manufacturing strengths can make a difference.
Look beyond the passenger vehicle
A slowdown in U.S. passenger electric vehicles does not tell the whole battery story. Energy storage is becoming an important market as utilities, factories, data centers and renewable-energy projects use batteries to manage electricity needs and provide backup power. Electric trucks and other applications add further demand.
Even within transportation, the picture is nuanced. Hybrids advance electrification but use smaller batteries than fully electric vehicles. More electrified vehicles do not necessarily translate into the battery volumes earlier forecasts anticipated. Companies positioned to serve multiple applications will be better equipped to navigate those shifts.
Innovation needs manufacturing execution
Promising chemistry alone does not make a successful battery business. Companies must manufacture consistently, control costs and scale production around real customer demand. A smaller facility with a credible customer base can be better positioned than a much larger plant operating well below capacity.
That makes the opportunity much broader than cell production. Battery packs, enclosures, thermal management, controls, testing, automation, tooling, safety systems and recycling all contribute to a functioning battery economy. Each presents a different entry point for specialized manufacturers and entrepreneurs.
A regional platform for battery businesses
In Allegan and Ottawa counties, this opportunity connects with an established manufacturing economy, an experienced workforce and trusted business relationships. Our 2026 Business Insights research identifies those assets among the region’s leading strengths. They provide a practical foundation for businesses developing products, improving processes, or entering new markets.
For a battery ecosystem business evaluating where to locate, the case is not simply proximity to one large project. It is the potential to connect with a broader network of manufacturing expertise and business support. For existing regional employers, the same network can help translate established capabilities into new customer opportunities.
Explore the Lakeshore’s battery industry and regional advantages in our battery industry overview.
Small and midsized manufacturers have a role here, too. Speed, specialization, low-volume production and close customer relationships can be meaningful advantages when products and requirements are changing. Innovation can mean a better production process or component solution, not only a new battery chemistry.
Build for long-term regional prosperity
This is where battery opportunity meets Lakeshore Advantage’s long-term goals: helping existing employers grow, supporting the next generation of businesses and making the region a business and talent magnet. Advanced energy storage offers a path to deepen manufacturing expertise while broadening the markets our employers serve.
That work requires realism. Entering a new market can involve certifications, testing, traceability and lengthy customer approvals. Talent availability, workforce housing, sites and infrastructure also influence whether investment succeeds. Strengthening those conditions is essential to turning industry potential into lasting economic opportunity.
Our focus is not growth at any cost or dependence on a single technology. It is thoughtful diversification: connecting businesses with relevant partners and resources, supporting entrepreneurship through SURGE, and helping employers evaluate opportunities that fit their capabilities and long-term plans.
For companies building the next generation of battery products, equipment or services, the Lakeshore region deserves a closer look. Connect with Lakeshore Advantage to explore locating or expanding in Allegan and Ottawa counties—and how your business could become part of this evolving manufacturing opportunity.
