SAAB Munitions in Grayling

Local conservation organization, Anglers of the Au Sable, has been a stalwart protector of the Au Sable River watershed and its surrounding natural areas. In fall of 2024, the Anglers FOIAed the MEDC for documents related to the proposed SAAB facility. As they stated in their late December 2024 letter to local officials: 

“Our request generated a response: That Anglers, in exchange for a copy fee of well over $1,000.00 dollars, would receive over 9,000 pages of documents regarding the project within approximately sixty (60) business days.

“Sixty business days have come and gone. Additional communications by Anglers seeking information as to when the documents would be produced have been ignored by the MEDC. The fact that this proposal has faced significant public opposition and has violated, in process, the MOU regarding state lands near the Grayling’s Industrial Park, puts this delayed FOIA response in new light. It raises significant questions with the proposed Saab facility and the process to approve it:

- Where are the 9,000 pages of information that would prove helpful to local decision makers?

- Why is this information seemingly being withheld?

- Did the MEDC think the proposal would pass locally before the sixty-business day window, thus rendering the FOIA materials of little use?”

Anglers of the Au Sable say that they “will review all its options in regard to MEDC’s failure to comply with our state’s FOIA statutes,” including legal action.

The image above and the following are excerpts from a white paper authored by “Grayling Local Citizen Group” in February 2025. Portions of the paper were published on Antiwar.com and authored by a citizen researcher who calls herself Lesley Garcia, “a Navy veteran with a degree from the University of Pennsylvania.” 

• The military-industrial complex has extended its influence into Michigan. A thorough examination of the entities involved in the establishment of an ammunition facility in Grayling, Michigan, by Swedish defense contractor Saab highlights the typical operations of the military-industrial complex at the state level in the United States.
• Michigan politicians, led by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, have aggressively sought military-industrial investments under the banner of bolstering the "Arsenal of Democracy." This strategy not only enhances their political and financial standing but also cements their legacies.
• Key military officials, particularly Michigan National Guard Adjutant General Paul Rogers and Assistant Adjutant Scott Myers, have aligned closely with Governor Whitmer to advance her political ambitions. Their efforts include establishing the National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC), expanding Camp Grayling, and fostering partnerships with defense enterprises in exchange for career advancements.
• Local government officials, such as Grayling Township Supervisor Lacey Stephen and Trustee Joe Smock, facilitated the sale of state-owned land to Saab despite strong opposition from local residents and environmental organizations, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and self-enrichment.

Saab’s Corporate Strategy and Environmental Concerns

Saab, one of many defense manufacturers operating in Michigan, has strategically expanded its U.S. presence with ten production facilities nationwide. While the company claims to contribute positively to local economies by creating jobs and investing in communities, its primary objective remains profit-driven.

Saab has employed political donations, post-military employment offers, and community incentives to gain favor, often downplaying environmental risks. Environmental organizations have criticized the company’s assessments as inadequate, citing insufficient data on potential health hazards associated with weapons manufacturing.