MEDC approves new incentive programs for business, community development

EDITORS NOTE: The program guidelines announced in this release were approved to assist businesses and communities to understand and prepare for program changes, subject to legislative action, that take effect no earlier than October 1, 2011.

LANSING– The Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation today approved new economic development and community revitalization programs that will provide $100 million in incentives for highly competitive projects in Michigan, beginning on October 1, 2011.  

“We are creating entirely new incentive programs to attract new business investment for job creation and redevelopment of our communities that are performance based with clear benchmarks, that will offer greater flexibility and a transparent process,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “Most importantly, we are building a friendlier business climate in Michigan to help drive Michigan's economic turnaround. These programs will better leverage our state's many assets in ways that are simple, fair, efficient and transparent.”

The Michigan Business Development and Michigan Community Revitalization Programs replace the state’s previous MEGA, Brownfield and Historic tax credit programs that were features of the Michigan Business Tax that will be eliminated under business tax restructuring legislation approved and signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder in May.

“We can now offer quicker access to funding assistance for businesses and developers while affording lower costs and greater flexibility for economic developers,” Finney said.   

The Michigan Business Development Program will provide grants, loans or other economic assistance of up to $10 million to businesses that are creating qualified new jobs and making new investments in Michigan.

The MSF will consider a number of factors in making these awards, including: out-of-state competition, private investment in the project, business diversification opportunities, near-term job creation, wage and benefit levels of the new jobs, and net-positive return to the state. Business retention and retail projects are not eligible for consideration of these incentives.

The Michigan Community Revitalization Program will provide grants, loans, or other economic assistance of up to $10 million to projects that will revitalize regional urban areas, act as a catalyst for additional investment in a community, reuse vacant or historic buildings and promote mixed use and sustainable development.

The programs will take effect on October 1, 2011.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a public-private partnership serving as the state's marketing arm and lead agency for business, talent and jobs, focuses on helping grow Michigan's economy. For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: MichiganAdvantage.org

For Additional Information About Program Guidelines:

• Program Guidelines Briefing Memo
• Michigan Business Development Program Guidelines
• Michigan Community Revitalization Program Guidelines

 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.