Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled the state’s first comprehensive maritime strategy in late January 2026, a 10-year blueprint designed to strengthen the Great Lakes economy while creating new opportunities for waterfront campgrounds, RV parks, and marina operators across the state. The plan, which targets both commercial shipping and recreational infrastructure, arrives as water-based tourism already supports roughly 45,000 jobs and generates nearly $12 billion annually in Michigan. With the Great Lakes holding 21 percent of the world’s fresh surface water, the strategy positions the state to capitalize on its unique natural assets while protecting them for future generations, according to the governor’s announcement of the initiative.
“Michigan is prepared to lead the future of maritime innovation while protecting the waters that define us,” Whitmer said. “The Michigan Maritime Strategy is a long-term plan for us to create good-paying local jobs and attract cutting-edge investments while protecting our Great Lakes, which contain 21% of the world’s fresh surface water. Because of our unique natural resources, we have an incredible opportunity to harness them to grow our economy and an awesome responsibility to safeguard them for future generations of Michiganders. With this new strategy, we will do both, ensuring our waters remain a source of pride and prosperity for generations to come.”
The economic stakes extend well beyond recreational tourism. Michigan’s commercial ports currently support approximately 17,000 jobs and contribute $3.3 billion annually to the state economy. Combined with the water-based tourism sector’s substantial footprint, the maritime industry represents a significant driver of employment and revenue that touches communities across the state. For outdoor hospitality operators positioned along the Great Lakes coastline and connected waterways, the strategy signals a coordinated state investment in the infrastructure that supports their businesses.
Six strategic goals form the foundation of the 10-year plan. These include modernizing ports and investing in intermodal infrastructure, growing Michigan’s maritime manufacturing economy, and accelerating the adoption of low- and zero-emission vessel technologies and fuels. The strategy also aims to position Michigan as a national leader in recruiting, training, and retaining maritime workers while cultivating an innovation ecosystem that attracts cutting-edge investments. Perhaps most relevant to outdoor hospitality operators, the final goal focuses specifically on increasing the sustainability and resilience of recreational harbors and marinas throughout the state.
“Our Great Lakes are Michigan’s greatest natural asset,” said Scott Bowen, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “The Michigan Maritime Strategy supports responsible maritime sector growth while safeguarding coastal habitats, fisheries, and recreational opportunities that sustain our communities, tourism economy, and quality of life.”
The state’s commitment to recreational harbor improvements under the new strategy has implications for how private waterfront facilities may evolve alongside public infrastructure investments. Properties offering boat launch access have historically reported stronger occupancy rates during peak season, and many operators have found that investing in floating docks rather than fixed structures provides greater adaptability to the fluctuating water levels that characterize the Great Lakes. Adequate lighting at waterfront facilities has become a recognized best practice for improving safety and extending usable hours for guests, while clear wayfinding signage between camping areas and marina facilities is widely viewed as essential for reducing congestion and enhancing the overall guest experience.
The strategy emerged from a year-long, stakeholder-driven process that engaged more than 200 participants from government, industry, business, communities, and academia. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Office of the Great Lakes led the effort with facilitation support from the University of Michigan’s Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Thomas McKenney, a professor of practice of naval architecture and marine engineering at the university, directed the development process in collaboration with multiple state departments including the Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Natural Resources, Office of Future Mobility and Electrification within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
“With input from over 200 participants across the state, we’ve developed a strategy grounded in the needs and opportunities identified by those most closely connected to Michigan’s maritime future,” McKenney said. “We took a holistic approach to maritime development beyond just shipping freight, which brought together groups that wouldn’t normally engage. We worked hard to align all of the state agencies involved, and we’re proud of this unified vision for Michigan’s maritime future.”
Environmental sustainability forms a core pillar of the strategy, with the plan explicitly supporting Michigan’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The emphasis on reducing pollution and harmful emissions while investing in cleaner energy and modern infrastructure has prompted industry discussions about how outdoor hospitality operators might differentiate their properties. Recognized sustainable practices in the sector include low-flow fixtures in bathhouses to reduce water consumption, native landscaping that requires less irrigation while supporting local ecosystems, and solar lighting for pathways and common areas. Electric vehicle charging stations—including those for electric boats and personal watercraft—are increasingly viewed as amenities that position properties for emerging market demand.
“The Michigan Maritime Strategy underscores our commitment to protecting the Great Lakes while driving sustainable economic growth,” said Phil Roos, director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “By reducing pollution and harmful emissions and investing in cleaner energy, modern infrastructure, and innovative ports and vessels, we can strengthen Michigan’s maritime sector and create good-paying jobs. Environmental stewardship and economic progress go hand in hand as we chart a course for the future.”
The infrastructure modernization goals carry implications beyond recreational facilities. Bradley Wieferich, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation, noted that the strategy addresses supply chain resilience and global connectivity. “The new strategy is key to modernizing ports, expanding markets, diversifying cargo, and improving supply chain resilience,” Wieferich said. “It will ensure our marine highways remain efficient, reliable, and competitive while supporting economic development and global connectivity.” For RV parks located near improved port facilities, this may translate to increased traffic from commercial drivers seeking overnight accommodations, making dump stations and extended parking for larger rigs valuable amenities that capture commercial and recreational crossover traffic.
Tim Boring, director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasized the agricultural connections. “A strong maritime sector will move Michigan-grown products efficiently and reliably to markets at home and around the world,” Boring said. “This strategy strengthens ports and supply chains that support farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities across the state.” Meanwhile, Susan Corbin, director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, highlighted workforce development aspects that may create a deeper talent pool for seasonal and full-time positions at waterfront hospitality operations. “Michigan’s Maritime Strategy is about preparing people for careers that power our economy, from port operations and marine manufacturing to emerging clean energy technologies,” Corbin said. “By aligning workforce training with industry needs, we’re opening pathways to good-paying, future-ready jobs for Michiganders.”
The strategy also connects to a separate initiative announced earlier in the month. Executive Directive No. 2026-1 established the Geologic Hydrogen Exploration and Preparedness Initiative to explore geologic hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative for sectors including maritime shipping, supporting the broader decarbonization goals. Quentin Messer, director of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, pointed to the state’s natural advantages in clean energy innovation. “Michigan is a natural to lead the way in clean energy solutions for the maritime industry,” Messer said. “The strategy charts a clear path toward sustainability and prosperity by advancing clean marine fuels, electrification, and innovative shipbuilding technologies.” Properties documenting and communicating their environmental efforts often generate positive reviews and repeat visits, making alignment with state sustainability goals both an operational and marketing consideration.
The Michigan Maritime Strategy was released as a draft document, with a public comment period open through Feb. 27, 2026. Outdoor hospitality operators can view the draft strategy at Michigan.gov/maritime and submit comments to Simon Belisle at belisles@michigan.gov. Participating in public comment periods for state infrastructure plans allows operators to advocate for improvements that benefit their properties and the broader recreational sector. When state agencies invest in regional utility upgrades, nearby private operators often benefit from improved electrical grid capacity and water infrastructure. The final adoption of the roadmap is expected later in 2026, giving industry stakeholders a window to shape the strategy’s implementation priorities before they become permanent policy.