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Building a Robot

All About Macomb MARZ

The Macomb Automation and Robotics Zone (MARZ) is a 501(c)(3) organization established by Macomb County, Macomb Community College, Macomb Intermediate School District and the city of Sterling Heights to enhance opportunities for K-12 students to discover careers in advanced manufacturing and robotics. With support from grants and donations, MARZ provides a place for organized robotics teams to access needed tools and interact with industry professionals. To reach underserved areas, MARZ hosts interactive workshops for hundreds of K-8 students at key locations throughout Macomb County each year as well as provides small start-up grants and support for teams that advance in competitions.

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Why MARZ

Macomb County is Michigan’s third most populated county and is one of its fastest growing. With nearly 875,000 residents, Macomb County encompasses 482 square miles and 27 unique communities, including Warren and Sterling Heights, two of the state’s largest cities. Its borders include the city of Detroit and 33 miles of freshwater coast along Lake St. Clair.

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While many industries thrive here, Macomb County is a recognized leader in developing and deploying new technologies in the automotive, aerospace and defense industries. 

Overall, manufacturing and associated professional services account for 26% of all jobs. 

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In fact, there are 13,719 engineers, 27,630 research and development specialists, 40,031 tradespeople, and 81,380 highly-skilled technicians employed in Macomb County.

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Macomb County is home to:

  • More than 1,200 manufacturers.

  • 805 companies that specialize in automation and robotics. 

  • 413 companies have been awarded more than 36,000 Department of Defense contracts totaling more than $25 billion between 2010-2020

  • A bona-fide cluster of 150 aerospace suppliers.

 

Proudly known as the defense capital of the Michigan, Macomb County is also home to:

  • The U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal, the only Active-Duty Military installation in Michigan. This 178 acre campus with 67 buildings employs nearly 7,800 civilian/contract/deployed workers.  It hosts many mission critical defense organizations including Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center, Defense Logistics Agency, Army Contracting Command-Warren, Integrated Logistics Support Center, Program Executive Office Ground Combat System and Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat System Support.

  • Selfridge Air National Guard Base, one of the largest joint reserve installations in the nation. With more than 1,400 personnel, the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard hosts mission support partners US Army, US Coast Guard, US Customs and Border Patrol as well as reserve posts for the US Marines, Navy,  Reserves. 

 

Clearly, the ability to sustain and expand a skilled workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is critical to the success of our local economy.

Our Founding

With an understanding that local employers provide interesting and well-paying careers, leaders from Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development, Macomb Intermediate School District, Macomb Community College, and the City of Sterling Heights gathered with a goal to enhance robotics programming for students across the county.​As a result, the Robotics Collaboration and Innovation Center, operating as MARZ, was formed and granted 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit, charitable organization in 2019. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors and holds a current charitable solicitation license with the state of Michigan.  

Meet our Board Members

 

Meet our Program Coordinator

Marjie Jenkins

Marjie Jenkins began working part-time as MARZ Program Coordinator in 2021. She brings more than 25 years of experience as a competitor and mentor in FIRST Robotics Competitions. 


Still lamenting a near-win at the World Championships as a student at Pontiac Central High School, Marjie continued to mentor and volunteer while earning a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University. She is currently Lead Mentor for FRC 469 based in Bloomfield HIlls and continues to coordinate the Michigan State Championship where up 160 teams compete annually.

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Marjie is also active as a member with Gilda’s Club of Royal Oak and contributes an auction item for their annual Bras for a Cause gala. She is also a longtime supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the Make a Wish Foundation. 
 

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