Resurgent Detroit could finally be brought back to its glory days thanks to plans to turn it into America's DRONE manufacturing capital

By WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 22:13, 14 April 2026 | Updated: 22:13, 14 April 2026 Detroit's golden years could be returning soon as the Motor City is turned into America's drone manufacturing capital. The Michigan metropolis notably saw decline in the years since the automakers once responsible for its boom fled the city. However, federal rules encouraging a pivot towards domestic drone production could provide a much-longed for manufacturing revival, as companies scoop up discounted real estate. One of the companies already planting roots is Birdstop, a drone start–up which moved into a massive downtown complex about six months ago, according to The New York Times. Birdstop's founder, Keith Miao, had never visited Detroit but said that the city gave them the opportunity to 'become the epicenter of the US drone industry.' 'Frankly, we wouldn't be able to afford 420,000 square feet in downtown San Francisco,' Miao told the outlet. The US drone market is expected to go from being worth around $5 billion today to around $50 billion by 2030. If Detroit can be at the forefront of that, it could mean a wider revival for the city and a harkening back to its heyday. Keith Miao, the founder of drone start-up Birdstop, is one of several CEOs moving his production to Detroit, Michigan in what many in the city hope will provide a boost to its manufacturing industry Detroit entered a decline after the automakers responsible for its boom left the city in droves Miao's Birdstop currently assembles about 150 drones per month by hand, but he is looking to set up automated production lines imminently with a wide variety of options for drone components. 'We want to see a future that's 12 to 18 months away where there are maybe not 150 but 15 options,' Miao said. Blueflite, a company which touts itself as providing 'more cost–effective' drone deliveries, is among those praising Detroit as a budding tech hub. 'The biggest value that we've seen here is the ability to test,' Andrew Zeimen, a Blueflite program manager, told the NYT. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, signed an executive order last July deeming 'advanced air mobility' as one of of the state's focuses. Whitmer's directive specifically called for drone testing to be enabled at 'key sites including existing aviation, commercial, and defense assets.' Michigan is hoping to have the most drone tests and deployments in the US by 2030, according to a report published last year by the state's Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. The state is also looking to attract the 'most competitive' drone talent, including technicians, engineers and operators. It comes after the Federal Communications Commission banned all new foreign–made drones in December. Miao said that Detroit gave his company the chance to 'become the epicenter of the US drone industry' (File photo of a drone) Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, issued an executive directive last year to promote 'advanced air mobility' as one of the state's main focuses Previously, Michigan worked with CVS Health to deliver products by drone in Troy, a suburb about 25 miles north of Detroit. Another project signed by Whitmer included drones traveling within a 12–mile radius of Jack Demmer Ford dealerships across the state to quickly deliver car parts. Amazon has also delivered products by drone in Michigan since last year, though that program has concerned locals. In March, the Bloomfield Township Police Department wrote on Facebook that, 'many residents have raised concerns about Amazon Prime Air delivery drones flying over [their] homes.' Law enforcement said that these concerns prompted a meeting with an Amazon Prime Air operations manager to discuss 'noise, flight paths, and frequency of drone activity.' Panning out from Detroit, Michigan's recent push into drones also includes non–commercial uses by law enforcement and the military. Oakland County, which includes most of Detroit's suburbs but not Michigan's largest city, approved a potential three-year contract for drones to assist the local sheriff's office when responding to 911 calls last Wednesday. Blueflite program manager Andrew Zeimen said Detroit stood out for its 'ability to test' drones, compared to other cities around the country Michigan has said that it is looking to attract the most competitive drone talent  Residents have raised questions about what type of data will be collected and what will happen to it afterwards, ClickOnDetroit reported. The data would be property of the sheriff's office and not be retained by Flock Safety, the company collaborating with law enforcement. 'There's absolutely no way that they can make a guarantee that this data would be safe,' Jenna Lindsay, who lives in the suburb of Clarkson, told the outlet. Michigan also designated a 148,000–acre test site for drones on behalf of the Department of War in February. 'You can already see Michigan–made products on roads around the world, and soon, we'll be in the sky too,' Whitmer said then. She said the test site was a sign that Michigan was 'becoming an even more attractive place for cutting–edge defense and aerospace companies to invest in, create good–paying, high–skill local jobs and grow our economy.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Whitmer's office, Birdstop, Blueflite, the Bloomfield Township Police Department and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office for further comment. No comments have so far been submitted. 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