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Chippewa County Becomes Epicenter for Advanced Digital Drone Operations Hub with Support from State, Industry, and Research Partners

Chippewa County, MI. – October 22, 2025 — A new public-private partnership has launched in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula to advance drone-based mobility solutions and airspace management. Funded through the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification’s (OFME) Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP), the project will establish a regional Operations Center in Chippewa County, enabling near-border commercial and security drone operations through real-time situational awareness and FAA-authorized traffic coordination services.

Led by ANRA Technologies, the initiative brings together the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC), Censys Technologies, and the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI). The collaboration aims to position Chippewa as a strategic testbed for scalable private and public Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) deployment across Michigan.

“This project exemplifies Michigan’s commitment to leading the future of advanced air mobility by building the foundation for a scalable drone ecosystem for the Upper Peninsula,” said Justine Johnson, Michigan Chief Mobility Officer at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “Through public-private partnerships such as this, we are igniting a catalyst for innovation that will drive long-term growth in a transformative sector—benefiting both public services and private enterprise alike.”

“At ANRA, we’re committed to building the digital infrastructure needed to safely scale drone operations across the country,” said Amit Ganjoo, Founder and CEO of ANRA Technologies. “This project in Chippewa County is not just about deploying technology, it’s about demonstrating how public-private collaboration can unlock real value for communities through smarter, more secure airspace management.”

Chippewa County’s location, bordering Canada and near international waterways like the St. Marys River, makes it an ideal launch point for near-border drone operations. Its strategic setting supports real-world testing for cross-border coordination, regulatory alignment, and scalable applications in trade, security, and infrastructure monitoring. 

“This project represents a significant leap forward for Chippewa County as we embrace innovative mobility solutions that align with our region’s strengths in aviation, technology, and cross-border logistics,” said Chris Olson, President of the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation. “We’re especially excited to host ANRA’s Operating Picture at the Chippewa County International Airport (CIU), establishing a local hub for real-time drone traffic coordination and regional airspace management.”

The deployment will integrate ANRA’s FAA-authorized airspace management platform with Censys Technologies’ long-endurance UAS, creating a unified operational picture to support missions such as emergency response, infrastructure inspection, and logistics. Censys brings deep expertise as a national leader in securing regulatory approvals for advanced drone operations, making them an ideal partner for demonstrating how BVLOS flights can be safely and compliantly scaled in real-world environments.

“Deploying our UAS alongside ANRA’s platform in a mission-critical, near-border environment showcases how American-made drone technology can deliver real impact,” said Trevor Perrott, CEO of Censys Technologies. “We’re honored to be part of a project that pairs innovation with regional purpose.”

In addition to conducting drone operations, Michigan Tech Research Institute will lead data analytics and performance evaluation activities, leveraging local testing infrastructure and decades of research excellence in autonomy and remote sensing.

“MTRI is excited to contribute our technical expertise, both in the field and in the lab to ensure that project outcomes are measurable, scalable, and scientifically sound,” said Dr. Colin Brooks, Transportation Program Area Manager at MTRI. “We see this as a proving ground for both policy and technology.”

Michigan is jumpstarting its advanced air mobility economy by building the infrastructure and partnerships needed for safe, scalable UAS operations. In July of 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive Directive 2025-4 Establishing the Michigan Advanced Air Mobility Initiative and through programs like MMFP, the state is laying a foundation for growth in advanced air mobility, attracting investment, and expanding opportunities in commercial, public safety, and logistics sectors.

“Chippewa’s location, terrain, and access to diverse users make it a perfect place to mature UAS systems,” said Melinda Marion, Precision Approach LLC. “This project demonstrates the strength of Michigan’s ecosystem and the value of cross-sector collaboration.”

The project’s initial phase began in July 2025 with partner alignment, tabletop exercises, and simulation activities. Live flights and real-world missions will follow in 2026, with final results expected by Q3 2026.

About ANRA Technologies

ANRA Technologies delivers advanced airspace management solutions for uncrewed systems, supporting mission management, UTM, operations centers, and advanced air mobility. ANRA holds the FAA’s first Letter of Acceptance for non-vertically integrated Strategic Coordination services and is the only airspace management provider certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Focused on safety, efficiency, and scale, ANRA is enabling the future of autonomous flight. Learn more at www.anratechnologies.com.

About CCEDC

The Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to encourage economic growth through strengthening the county’s competitive position and facilitating investments that build capacity, create jobs, generate economic opportunity, and improve quality of life. The Chippewa County EDC also manages the Chippewa County International Airport (airciu.com) and the Kincheloe Industrial Park. 

About MTRI

The Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) is a research center of Michigan Technological University. We take a holistic view of the remote sensing problem space – from target understanding, sensing optimization, and advanced processing, to employing new mathematical paradigms to extract knowledge from existing and non-traditional data sources. MTRI has over 100 research staff funded solely through external grants and contracts, including scientists covering diverse research areas, with PhDs and Master’s Degrees in Environmental Science, Biology, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics, among others.  https://www.mtu.edu/mtri/ 

About Censys Technologies

Censys Technologies is an American aerospace company specializing in long-range, fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones designed for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, Censys offers fully integrated solutions combining American-made, NDAA-Compliant UAV hardware, field-swappable payloads, AI-powered data analytics through its CensWise platform, and comprehensive FAA regulatory support. Their flagship Sentaero series serves critical infrastructure, public safety, environmental monitoring, and defense sectors—enabling customers to collect smarter, safer, and more actionable data across complex operational environments.

About the Michigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification

The State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Department of Labor and Opportunity, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and the Executive Office of the Governor. Launched in early 2020, OFME works across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale up of emerging technologies and businesses. OFME plays a coordinating role – nestled between several state agencies — uniquely positioning the office to accelerate mobility innovation in Michigan. Learn more about OFME.