Projects in Southeast Michigan Support Placemaking, E&I, & Small Business

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board announced approval for projects that support the state’s commitment to placemaking, entrepreneurship and innovation, and support for small businesses, including a Transformational Brownfield Plan that will reactivate the former Lakeside Mall site in Sterling Heights (Macomb County). Together, the projects will contribute to the vibrancy, innovation, and economic momentum of the state. 

“Michigan is on the move and open for business, and our strategy to grow our economy, create good-paying jobs, and compete with everyone is paying off,” said Governor Whitmer. “By redeveloping the Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights, we’re creating more options for hardworking Michiganders to live and work in vibrant communities. By supporting the Innovation Alliance, we’re fueling the next generation of innovators to chase their next big idea in Michigan, create good-paying jobs, and grow our economy. Together, these projects will grow our economy and help more people make it in Michigan.” 

“From transformational placemaking investments and small business support to further nurturing the state’s culture of innovation, today’s approved projects demonstrate that the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy is resonating with risk-taking entrepreneurs across multiple industries. Anchored on three pillars, People, Places, and Projects, the Make It in Michigan benefits companies and real estate developers of all sizes,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the MEDC and MSF Board Chair. “We extend our gratitude to Governor Whitmer, the members of the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, the Michigan Legislature, and our economic development partners for their work in creating the economic development tools to support these projects. We are committed to ensuring projects like these continue to make a difference in the lives of Michiganders and the communities in which they choose to pursue their lives.” 

Transformational Brownfield Plan to support redevelopment of former Lakeside Mall site in Sterling Heights, adding over 1,500 residential units  

OVERVIEW: The MSF Board approved a $270,678,999 Transformational Brownfield Plan (TBP) to support the redevelopment of the former Lakeside Mall site in Sterling Heights (Macomb County). The proposed plan consists of approximately 1,545 residential units in nine multifamily buildings ranging in size from four to five stories, including a building targeted at residents over 55 years of age. Additionally, the project will add 154,007 square feet of new retail space, a central community park and green space, and a mix of parking lots and street parking for residents and visitors. 

When complete, the project is estimated to result in $621,019,411 in total capital investment, contributing to the local economy and reactivating a key site for the Sterling Heights community. Aside from participating in tax revenue capture to support the Plan, the City of Sterling Heights intends to proceed with a bond issuance of approximately $27.6 million to assist in the cost of the infrastructure for the plan. 

The total TBP incentive package of over $270 million will be reimbursed over 30 years. 

The development team, Lakeside OOTB Ventures, LLC, is a subsidiary of Lionheart Capital, a real estate sector investment and development entity which has delivered office, industrial, commercial, mixed-use, retail, hospitality, and residential within their work. The team, led by Colin Carby, director of development at Lionheart, has extensive experience nationwide in large scale developments which include mall redevelopments, commercial, mixed-use, multi-story, and large-scale downtown district projects. 

“Lakeside OOTB Ventures extends its sincere appreciation to the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation staff, and the City of Sterling Heights for their steadfast partnership, leadership, and support throughout the planning and review of the Lakeside City Center redevelopment,” said Colin Carby, director of development for Lionheart Capital. “This exemplary public-private collaboration reflects a shared vision to transform a functionally obsolescent and vacant property into a vibrant, walkable city center that will provide new housing, retail, parks, and community gathering spaces for residents of all ages, creating lasting economic and social benefits for Sterling Heights and the broader region for generations to come.” 

WHY IT MATTERS: Lakeside Mall closed its doors in July 2024, leaving a once-thriving anchor for the local economy unused and deteriorating. With support from the MEDC, the redevelopment will increase housing options for current and future residents while adding new retail and recreational options.   

Over the past eight years, transformational brownfields have been a versatile tool for local communities to transform vacant or underutilized spaces into tax-generating ones. Since its launch in 2018, the TBP program has supported 14 projects as of today’s approval that are projected to create just over 6,500 housing units and over $7.9 billion in private investment.   

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: 

“Lakeside Town Center is one of the most transformational projects in Sterling Heights’ history, and really for the entire region," said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael C. Taylor. "This is the kind of once-in-a-generation investment that creates thousands of jobs, drives major economic activity and turns a former retail site into a vibrant mixed-use, walkable destination for living, working, shopping and gathering. Its impact will be felt far beyond the Sterling Heights city limits because of the new employment opportunities, increased tax revenue and sustained regional growth this project represents. Lakeside Town Center reflects the bold future of Sterling Heights and our commitment to maintaining a strong and prosperous community for decades to come. I want to personally thank the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, the MEDC, the development team and our local partners for their contributions to this exciting project." 

“Transforming the former Lakeside Mall site into Lakeside City Center represents a once-in-a-generation investment in Sterling Heights that will create new housing, attract businesses, and drive long-term economic growth for Macomb County and the entire region,” said State Sen. Paul Wojno (D-Warren). 

Performance-based grant to support launch of statewide Innovation Alliance to strengthen Michigan’s innovation economy 

OVERVIEW: The Board also approved a $1.5 million MSF performance-based grant for the Invest Detroit Foundation to launch and implement the Innovation Alliance. This statewide initiative will be focused on strengthening the state’s innovation economy through a coordinated strategy, ecosystem alignment, and storytelling. 

The grant funding will support statewide stakeholder engagement, operational capacity, communications and branding efforts, implementation of action councils, statewide convenings, policy and strategy development, and accountability/reporting infrastructure intended to improve innovation-driven economic growth across Michigan. 

The Innovation Alliance will operate through a statewide governance structure that includes an Executive Leadership Board, a Statewide Advisory Board, and Action Councils focused on implementation of targeted initiatives and priorities. The Innovation Alliance will be housed in Invest Detroit Foundation with a MOU with different governing bodies until it forms its own independent nonprofit organization. 

WHY IT MATTERS: The Innovation Alliance will serve as Michigan’s first statewide innovation alliance, aligning stakeholders around a unified agenda to fully take advantage of the state’s innovation assets, including world-class research universities, industrial capabilities, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and growing venture capital and startup activity.  

Michigan’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation ecosystem will be strengthened through the newly established Innovation Alliance, increasing the state’s national competitiveness and attracting both public and private investment into our innovation ecosystem. 

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: "The launch of the Innovation Alliance marks an important step forward in strengthening Michigan’s innovation economy,” said the MEDC’s Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer Ben Marchionna. “Our state is home to extraordinary assets, from world-class research universities and deep industrial expertise to a growing network of entrepreneurs, startups, and investors. By bringing these stakeholders together around a shared vision and coordinated strategy, the Innovation Alliance will help unlock new opportunities for collaboration, accelerate commercialization, and ensure Michigan is positioned to compete and lead in the industries of the future.” 

“The Innovation Alliance is the result of dozens of stakeholders across our state who saw the need for deeper collaboration and community within our venture ecosystem," said Dave Blaskiewicz, president & CEO of Invest Detroit. "This investment builds the infrastructure, positioning, and vehicle to make that vision real, creating the conditions for founders and entrepreneurs not just to stay in Michigan, but to choose Michigan. Our goal is a stronger innovation ecosystem that creates greater opportunity, keeps Michigan-grown founders here, and makes our state a destination for entrepreneurs who want to build their businesses and dreams in a place that's ready to support them. Invest Detroit is pleased to back this work as the Alliance moves from idea to impact across Michigan.” 

Applicants selected for FY26 Match on Main program awards 

OVERVIEW: The MSF Board also approved over $1.5 million in grant funding to 69 awardees for the FY26 Match on Main program, which supports new and expanding place-based businesses located within Certified or Essential Redevelopment Ready Communities and Master or Select-Level Michigan Main Street districts with up to $25,000 in grant funding. The FY26 funding round generated the highest level of participation in program history, resulting in 152 applications from communities and organizations across Michigan.  

The total for FY26 grants awarded across the 69 small business awardees is $1,573,936; $75,000 in grant funding was rolled over from FY25. 

WHY IT MATTERS: The Match on Main program supports small business growth while strengthening commercial corridors, activating underutilized spaces, and increasing economic activity in downtowns and neighborhood business districts throughout the state.  

Since 2019, Match on Main has supported 727 small businesses through partnerships with 147 community organizations, resulting in the creation of 705 full-time and 1,152 part-time jobs. Additionally, the Program has deployed $7.6 million in grant funding and leveraged more than $25 million in private investment. 

Learn more about the Match on Main FY26 awardees.

MSF Board approves action for Renaissance Zones in Norton Shores, Pontiac 

During the June meeting, the MSF Board also approved requests related to MSF-Designated Renaissance Zones for the City of Norton Shores (Muskegon County) and City of Pontiac (Oakland County). 

The Board approved an MSF Renaissance Zone to support the expansion of La Colombe’s facility in Norton Shores. In March 2026, the MSF Board approved support for improving wastewater infrastructure to communities across Muskegon County through a $28 million Strategic Site Readiness Program grant, which also advanced a significant investment by Chobani to expand La Colombe’s facility in Norton Shores. With this investment, the company is expected to create 337 new jobs, retain 312 existing jobs, and invest up to $567 million in the area. In addition to infrastructure support, Chobani was also approved for a $5 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to help offset significant upfront costs associated with its investment in the expansion of its production facility and associated job creation. 

The proposed Renaissance Zone will capture La Colombe’s expanded production investment only, while supporting the ongoing growth of Muskegon County’s food processing and agricultural sector.  

“The City of Norton Shores welcomes the substantial $567 million expansion of the La Colombe facility and the creation of 337 new jobs for our local workforce,” said City Administrator Anthony Chandler. “The City is excited to partner in this venture that will solidify the Norton Shores location as the center for La Colombe’s coffee operations and production.” 

The Board also approved a 15-year extension of the MSF-Designated Renaissance Zone for Williams International in Pontiac. Founded in 1955, the company is the world leader in the development, manufacture, and support of gas turbine engines. In June 2017, the MSF Board approved a 15-year MSF Designated Renaissance Zone valued at $39.5 million to relocate its headquarters to the former Motown Motion Picture Studio in Pontiac. The extension request is being driven by a new project and would result in the MSF Designated Renaissance Zone expiring in 2047 instead of 2032. Williams International is considering constructing a new 65,000 square-foot turbine engine development and testing complex. This would result in both component and full engine testing to be conducted in Pontiac. 

The Board’s approval included a partial revocation of approximately 43 acres of the original approved Renaissance Zone, returning that land to the tax rolls for the city of Pontiac. 

"Williams’ $200 million expansion and the creation of 71 jobs in Pontiac demonstrates the company’s confidence in our workforce,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “This significant investment reinforces Oakland County’s robust tech ecosystem and highlights our strong technical talent. We look forward to a continued, prosperous partnership with Williams as we drive innovation forward together." 

NOTE FROM THE MEDC: Investment and job numbers represent the commitment made by the business to the state of Michigan. Terms will be formalized in a performance-based project agreement, with funds disbursed as reimbursement based on eligible expenditures, and are subject to amendment or cancellation if the commitments are not met due to risks or uncertainties. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation provides a public annual report on agreements and their status to the state legislature. 

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.