Traverse City breaks ground on $29M freshwater research center 

Traverse City is poised to become an epicenter of innovation in water technology and a global hub for the blue economy. 

Ground was broken this month on the $28.9 million Freshwater Research & Innovation Center, located on the Leelanau Peninsula, just outside Traverse City. The center will serve as the epicenter of water innovation by connecting education, research, industry, and community for sustainable growth in the blue tech sector.

“The Freshwater Research & Innovation Center is not only a Michigan asset, it’s a global platform for blue tech innovation,” said the center’s Board Chair Greg Luyt. “We invite companies, researchers, and funders from around the world to join us as we move ideas from lab to market, build the workforce of tomorrow, and protect our freshwater resources for future generations through innovation.”

 What’s happening: Regional and state leaders have broken ground on the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center on the Discovery Pier campus, just outside Traverse City. The $28.9 million project will establish Northern Michigan as the epicenter of water innovation and a globally relevant hub for the blue economy. Blue tech is any technology connected to water. This could be autonomous underwater vehicles, sensors for water quality, dedication of chemicals or algal blooms, electric and autonomous boats, and even agriculture solutions that protect lakes and river, said Jason Slade, who is vice president for Strategic Initiatives at Northwestern Michigan College.

About the facility: The 38,000-square-foot building will feature advanced laboratories, business incubation space, and working pier access for research vessels. Areas of focus include autonomous and remote systems, AI, acoustic and observation platforms, water quality technologies, and sustainable marine mobility. Through partnerships with leading colleges and universities, the Freshwater Center will host nationally recognized career programs for Freshwater Studies and Freshwater & Marine Technology to strengthen and feed the workforce pipeline.

Inside the center: The two-story structure will feature public and communal space on the first floor, as well as interactive public display space showcasing the activities occurring inside the building and work being undertaken in the Great Lakes with an emphasis on the role of marine technology in data collection and use. The second floor will include space to support research collaboration and meetings, as well as a cafe.

Location: The Freshwater Research and Innovation Center will be located on M-22 in Greilickville, across from Discovery Pier, providing direct access to Lake Michigan. Discovery Pier will provide dock space for research vessels, an equipment crane, and an outdoor classroom pavilion.

Collaboration: The landmark project is a collaborative effort of Discovery Pier, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse Connect, Michigan Technological University, and 20Fathoms. By co-locating working pier space, advanced laboratories, and business incubation under one roof, the center will serve as the home for water technology and marine mobility, where ideas become solutions, technologies become ventures, and opportunities become careers.

“Traverse Connect is proud to help launch a center that will put Michigan on the map for blue tech investment,” said Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect. “By combining world-class research with entrepreneurial support, the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center will develop and attract companies and capital, creating jobs and driving economic growth across the region.”

Funding: The project has secured more than $26 million in commitments from federal, state, and private funders, with fundraising ongoing. In 2023, the project received $15 million in ARPA funding from the state of Michigan. Once complete, the center is expected to draw national and international tenants, create high-wage jobs, and generate research with global applications.

About Discovery Pier: Located along West Grand Traverse Bay, Discovery Pier is community space designed to inspire a deeper connection to the Great Lakes through experiences, on and off the water. Through collaborative partnerships, Discovery Pier hosts various maritime activities, including lakeside gatherings, boat tours, tall ship sails, fishing charter expeditions, ecology studies, marine technology explorations and more.  

What’s next: Groundbreaking occurred on Sept. 12. Buildings on the site are being demolished and officials hope to have the center complete and operational by spring 2027.  “The Discovery Pier (on West Grand Traverse Bay) is complete and our research vessel (R/V Northwestern) has used the site.  It is a fantastic facility as researchers will be able to go from a lab in the facility to testing in the bay in a matter of minutes,” Slade said.