Michigan Tech Center Brings New Businesses and Homes to Northville, Plymouth

800-acre Michigan International Technology Center development sees progress after decade-long planning process.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:18pm

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A photorealistic studio still life depicting a polished, geometric model of a modern commercial building or office complex, made from premium materials like brushed metal, glass, and concrete, floating on a clean white background and illuminated by dramatic studio lighting to conceptually represent the abstract concepts of economic development, urban planning, and community growth.A sleek, minimalist rendering of the new commercial and residential developments taking shape at the Michigan International Technology Center, symbolizing the region's economic growth and evolution.Northville Today

The Michigan International Technology Center (MITC), an 800-acre development project spanning Northville and Plymouth townships in western Wayne County, is starting to take shape after years of planning. The area, which was once farmland and a former prison site, is now seeing the construction of a Meijer store, tech warehouses, an auto supplier, and new housing. Local officials are excited about the economic opportunities the project will bring, though some residents have mixed feelings about the changes to the previously undeveloped land.

Why it matters

The MITC development represents a major economic opportunity for the Northville and Plymouth communities, bringing new businesses, jobs, and tax revenue to the area. However, the project has also faced some community opposition as it transforms previously undeveloped land. The success of MITC could serve as a model for other large-scale mixed-use developments in the region.

The details

The MITC project has been in the works for over a decade, with local, county, and state governments collaborating on the development. The 800-acre site is divided into 15 parcels, with one side of Five Mile Road in Northville Township and the other in Plymouth Township. So far, construction has begun on a Meijer store and gas station, a multi-tenant tech warehouse, an auto supplier, and new housing. A DTE substation, potential data center, and daycare facility are also planned. While the initial vision was for high-tech businesses, the market has shifted to include more distribution, retail, and residential projects. Local officials are still hoping to attract more tech and research companies to the site.

  • Planning and infrastructure work on the MITC site has been ongoing for at least a decade.
  • Construction on the first wave of projects, including the Meijer store, began in 2026.

The players

Gary Roberts

A planning consultant overseeing the MITC development, Roberts says the vision for the site has evolved to include more distribution, retail, and residential projects in addition to the initial focus on high-tech businesses.

Mark Abbo

The Supervisor for Northville Township, Abbo says local leaders have been excited about the potential opportunities at MITC for a long time and are now seeing those opportunities come to fruition.

Chuck Curmi

The Supervisor of Plymouth Township, Curmi says he still hopes to see more tech and research companies come to the MITC site, which he believes will create high-paying, permanent jobs for the local community.

Denny Constantino

A nearby resident, Constantino says the new Meijer store is a welcome addition that the community has needed.

Rita Roric

A nearby resident, Roric has mixed feelings about the MITC development, expressing disappointment that the previously undeveloped land is now being built up.

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What they’re saying

“The momentum was slow to start because we didn't have things like supporting water main and sanitary sewer and a nice concrete road. We didn't have those things in which we needed to set up the platform for our vertical construction.”

— Gary Roberts, Planning Consultant

“We've been excited about the potential opportunities at MITC for a long time and those opportunities are now coming to fruition. So we're excited about the growth that's going on there.”

— Mark Abbo, Northville Township Supervisor

“It has gone well, but it has gone slow, admittedly. COVID may have interfered with that. We have some exciting new developments going on, which are at least speculative buildings that are going to be built starting this calendar year, all in the target that I want, which is technology and research buildings.”

— Chuck Curmi, Plymouth Township Supervisor

“We've been living here 16 years, and this is probably the best thing I've seen happen so far. The grocery store is complementary as to something we needed close around here.”

— Denny Constantino

“We moved in here about 20 years ago. I guess I'm a little disappointed at the Five Mile and Ridge area because when we moved in, they said that that was not going to be developed and so we were hoping to have more nature here. The Meijer across the street I guess I'm okay with it for the convenience factor.”

— Rita Roric

What’s next

Local governments expect to start collecting more tax revenue once the MITC construction is complete, which they can do a year after the projects are finished.

The takeaway

The MITC development represents a significant economic opportunity for the Northville and Plymouth communities, bringing new businesses, jobs, and tax revenue. However, the project has also faced some community opposition as it transforms previously undeveloped land. The success of MITC could serve as a model for other large-scale mixed-use developments in the region, balancing economic growth with community needs.