Rhode Island's program was funded by the state and as a result was not open to out-of-state teams. In Connecticut (as well as in many other locations), we opened registration to in-state teams the first week; to out-of-state teams which had inquired about our event the second week; to all teams regardless of location the third week. This was to ensure that our in-state teams would have the opportunity to compete "locally" if they chose to do so.
As for Michigan, last year in the
announcement regarding FIRST Tech Challenge it stated "In certain states where FTC will not be available, such as Michigan, the FIRST Robotics Competition will be the program available to high schools." That may have changed now.