A new public-private partnership is taking flight in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula to advance drone technology and airspace management. Funded by the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, the project will establish a regional drone operations center at the Chippewa County International Airport.
The initiative, led by ANRA Technologies, includes the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation, Censys Technologies, and Michigan Tech Research Institute. The center will coordinate near-border commercial and security drone operations using FAA-authorized traffic systems and real-time situational awareness tools.
“This project exemplifies Michigan’s commitment to leading the future of advanced air mobility,” said Justine Johnson, Michigan’s Chief Mobility Officer. “It lays the foundation for a scalable drone ecosystem in the Upper Peninsula.”
Chippewa County’s location near the Canadian border and the St. Marys River provides a strategic testing ground for cross-border drone operations. ANRA’s airspace management system will be integrated with Censys’s long-endurance aircraft to support missions such as emergency response, infrastructure inspection, and logistics.
Chris Olson, president of the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation, said the effort marks “a significant leap forward” for the region, positioning it as a leader in next-generation mobility solutions.
The project’s first phase begins in November 2025, with test flights expected in 2026. Michigan Tech will oversee data collection and performance analysis to evaluate the technology’s effectiveness and scalability.
