A delegation led by Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II spent roughly $245,000 on a European “economic development” trip last year.

Michigan Capitol Confidential uncovered the spending after analyzing in excess of 1,300 documents obtained via an open records request that took more than 200 days to fulfill.

According to the report, “at least 14 people” went on the five-day trip, and the spending included $24,000 to sponsor the United Kingdom’s Farnborough Air Show, which last took place in July 2024. Gilchrist is running for governor in Michigan next year and didn’t respond to a request for comment from Michigan Capitol Confidential about how the spending helped Michigan.

“International travel missions are a critical component in our Make it in Michigan economic development strategy,” Michigan Capitol Confidential quoted from an email by Otie McKinley, media and communications manager at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

“Building relationships with international companies keeps Michigan top of mind as an ideal place for companies to do business as they look to the United States for potential investment opportunities,” McKinley added. “The MEDC works closely with the Michigan Economic Development Foundation to support these critically important international missions to drive employment and economic growth to Michigan, without being a burden on Michigan taxpayers.”

According to the Michigan Capitol Confidential report, the list of attendees included Michigan Unmanned Aerial Systems Consortium CEO Jim Makowske, Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan President and Founder Tony Vernaci and retired Col. John Gutierrez, executive director of the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation.

Expenditures included a $25,000 deposit at a London Westin hotel, nearly $50,000 on airfare and $60,000 to Cellet, a marketing and public relations firm. Like any good visitor to the city, delegation members were also able to enjoy some of the city’s sights, including the Imperial War Museum and the Churchill War Room.

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Gilchrist’s office touted the mission at the time, saying in a news release that it would “focus on capitalizing on Michigan’s leadership in the defense and aerospace sector.” They also noted that “Team Michigan will have a strong presence at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom alongside companies and innovators from around the globe” and said delegation members would “conduct further business meetings in the Netherlands and Germany.”

Coinciding with last year’s European mission, state officials announced that the state would officially join the Aerospace States Association. The nonpartisan organization includes governor-appointed delegates, lieutenant governors, state legislators and territorial and tribal representatives.

“I’m excited to bring Michigan’s unique story abroad on a trade mission that will help us build relationships and lead on defense and aerospace on a global scale,” Gilchrist said in the release. “We established the new Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation as part of our strong commitment to growing Michigan’s aerospace and defense industries.

“Today, we are joining the Aerospace States Association to build this momentum and show the world that Michigan is the best place to grow your business, pursue your innovative ideas, and build the future,” Gilchrist added. “Governor [Gretchen] Whitmer and I will continue working with anyone to grow our economy, bring supply chains home, and help more businesses and innovators’ make it’ in Michigan.”

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According to the state, the defense and aerospace innovation sector contributes $30 billion in economic activity for the Wolverine State. They say the sector also supports more than 116,000 jobs and represents nearly 4,000 businesses in the defense, aerospace, and homeland security industries.

As Michigan Capitol Confidential noted, state leaders have a history of expensive foreign trips, including $175,000 for Whitmer to travel to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. That amount likely doesn’t include Whitmer’s expenses, as Michigan transparency laws do not currently require the governor’s office to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests.