Microsoft To Move Michigan Employees To Detroit In 2018

Technology giant Microsoft Corporation MSFT is making its way to downtown Detroit. Microsoft will move its Michigan presence from a Southfield office to the Quicken Loans headquarters in downtown Detroit in early 2018, said Microsoft's general manager of the Great Lakes region Tracy Galloway at a press conference Friday morning. The move includes the opening of a Microsoft Technology Center. Phil Sorgen, corporate vice president of Microsoft's enterprise group, said at the conference the Technology Center is one of only40 in the world. The Technology Center will serve as a place for Microsoft to interface with local businesses and schools. Sorgen mentioned opportunities to assist with STEM education in Detroit schools. Microsoft's move is the latest example of large companies moving workforces to Detroit's downtown core, as billionaires Gilbert and Mike Illitch, founder of Little Caesar's Pizza, attempt to bring businesses to Detroit through investment and development projects. "Microsoft's move downtown cements Detroit's place as a rising city that's a hub for innovation," said Detroit mayor Mike Duggan at the presser.

Microsoft $msft to move to Detroit & join us in our building. Welcome @Microsoft! pic.twitter.com/xLJE3o9wN6

— JasonRaznick (@JasonRaznick) February 3, 2017

Duggan recalled that it was "heartbreaking" to watch companies move their headquarters away from Detroit in previous decades and was visibly excited about the potential for others to expand in the city. "Microsoft, like many tech companies in Detroit and around the country, recognizes that being located downtown is great for business. Today's tech talent wants to work and live in urban cores," said Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans Founder Dan Gilbert. "This is another great example of an innovative, global business moving downtown and further evidence that Detroit is quickly becoming one of the technology centers of the country." Companies like Amazon.com, Inc. AMZN, Ally Financial Inc ALLY, Fifth Third Bancorp FITB and JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPM have opened offices and moved regional or world headquarters to Detroit in recent years. "Momentum breeds momentum," said Gilbert. "Microsoft is here because it's good for their business. With the momentum from this move, I believe Detroit will be one of the world's technology capitals in 10 to 15 years." Microsoft has operated out of a Southfield office for 30 years. Jayson Derrick contributed to this report.