Governor’s Luncheon Spotlights Major Win for Selfridge and Macomb’s Collaborative Power

More than 400 business and community leaders gathered May 6 at The Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township for the annual Governor’s Luncheon, hosted by the Macomb County Chamber and Connect Macomb. The highlight of the event was Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s remarks, which celebrated a major win for the region: a new fighter jet mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

“This is a big deal — not just for Selfridge, but for all of Michigan,” Whitmer said. “It’s the result of relentless advocacy and powerful partnerships that make Macomb County a model of what’s possible when public and private sectors work together.”

The announcement of the new mission, which came just days before the luncheon, capped years of local, state and federal efforts to ensure the long-term future of the base. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, who introduced the governor while wearing a commemorative Selfridge 100th anniversary baseball jersey, praised the behind-the-scenes work of U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew Brancato and many others involved in securing the new mission.

Whitmer echoed that praise and highlighted the bipartisan nature of the effort. 

“Whether it’s our congressional delegation, local officials or business leaders like you, the success of Selfridge shows what we can accomplish when we stay focused on a common goal,” Whitmer continued. 

The Selfridge announcement is expected to generate ripple effects across the region, reinforcing Macomb’s strong ties to the defense industry and preserving thousands of jobs. The base currently supports more than 5,000 military and civilian personnel and contributes significantly to the regional economy.

“This is about more than fighter jets,” Whitmer said. “It’s about jobs, national security and building a future for Michigan families. I’m proud to work alongside so many of you to make this happen.”

The Governor also noted that Michigan is now better positioned to attract future military and defense investments thanks to the collective efforts made on behalf of Selfridge.

Throughout her remarks, the governor also emphasized the importance of infrastructure investment and collaboration to continue driving economic growth. 

The Chamber’s Governor’s Luncheon continues to be one of the premier events in Macomb County, offering members the opportunity to hear directly from the state’s top leaders and advocate for regional priorities.

“We were honored to host Governor Whitmer during such a pivotal moment for our county,” said Kelley Lovati, president and CEO of the Macomb County Chamber. “The success at Selfridge reflects exactly what our Chamber stands for — collaboration, leadership and long-term impact.”