Governor Declares October 1, 2026 as Michigan Auto Heritage Day

Governor Gretchen Whitmer officially designated October 1, 2026 as the 13th annual Michigan Auto Heritage Day in a state proclamation. The proclamation emphasizes MotorCities National Heritage Area as Michigan’s sole National Heritage Area, spanning more than 10,000 square miles across 16 counties and containing the world’s largest concentration of automobile-related sites, attractions, and events.

The document quantifies the heritage area’s economic role, attributing roughly $490 million in annual economic impact, about $40 million in tax revenue, and support for over 5,300 jobs to MotorCities-related activity. Those figures position automotive heritage tourism and preservation as a measurable contributor to local economies across the designated counties.

For Michigan automotive enthusiasts and local stakeholders, the proclamation reinforces state recognition of preservation and promotion efforts tied to the auto industry’s history. What is known next is the annual observance itself on October 1, intended to spotlight MotorCities’ resources and programming; the proclamation underlines continued state-level support but does not list specific events or new funding in this notice.