Today, more than $87.5 million in grant funding was awarded to 18 projects across Michigan through the state’s Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP). Through the SSRP funding and collaboration with local, regional and energy partners, communities across Michigan now have increased economic development opportunities to support their business development efforts.
“These grants will fund 18 projects across Michigan, allowing us to win more production projects that will create thousands of good-paying jobs,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Together, through a robust bipartisan economic progress toolkit, we compete with other states and nations to bring home supply chains of cars, chips, and virgin energy. We will do this while making Michigan communities, from cities large to small, better places to live, work, and invest. Let’s move some dirt!”
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) received more than 70 applications totaling $420 million in requested funding, which is more than four times the SSRP allocation. Funding was awarded in nine of the state’s 10 prosperity regions, representing at least one grant for every region that submitted applications. Of the 18 awardees, 10 are brownfield sites that will receive 49 percent of the award funding; the remaining awardees are greenfield sites throughout the state.
The remaining budget of the SSRP’s $100 million overall allocation will be used for programs that require more time and evaluation, additional desires that may manifest later in the year, and to have budget available for sites entering the Site Readiness Certification program. , which is scheduled to be launched this year.
Due to the high demand for limited funds, MEDC submitted a list of programs known as brownfields to the Michigan Department of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for attention and possible assistance.
“With the business landscape restarting lately in the U. S. , communities and economic advancement agencies that proactively prepare business sites and deploy the workforce will be the winners in this race, the ultimate results of which will determine which states and regions will drive economic and equitable prosperity for the next 20 to 30 years,” said Maureen Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership. “MSF Board approval of the Strategic Site Preparation Program is critical to Michigan’s success, and the Detroit program The regional partnership aligns with MEDC through our Verified Industrial Properties (VIP) program through DRP ) to help our region’s commitment to prepare more sites to help Michigan earn its share of critical task creation projects.
“On behalf of MEDC, it’s exciting to be able to assist local communities in their business advancement efforts as they identify sites of all sizes to prepare for economic advancement opportunities in their region,” said Terri Fitzpatrick Array, Executive Vice President and Head of Real Estate and Global Attraction. “Thanks to the continued efforts of Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature to drive business progress and grow the state’s economy, those site preparation projects across Michigan will have a significant impact across our state. While this is a smart start, demand remains high and will require continued investment in the coming years. »
Here’s a more in-depth look at some of the SSRP projects across the state:
The construction of a retail park in Hancock, Michigan, will help expand and diversify the Houghton/Hancock area economy, according to the Region 1 Strategic Plan. This new park builds on the luck of nearly the entire Houghton County Industrial Air Park. . This assignment will build the mandatory infrastructure, increase the site’s electricity, fuel and water capacity, and remove the last hurdle to the site’s opening later this year.
“On behalf of the City of Hancock, we are pleased to secure investments from the MEDC Strategic Site Readiness Program for our 40-acre Hancock Technology and Business Park,” said Mary Babcock, City Manager for the City of Hancock. “This vital investment will pave the way for the creation of ready-to-use sites, fostering new opportunities for businesses to thrive and grow. As a small network with limited resources, this is a vital step forward – a turning point not only for Hancock but also for our neighboring communities.
The Covenant Business Park site is one of the top sites in West Michigan in terms of infrastructure, road access, and network paints for an assignment. The arrival of utilities to this site is critical to the market price of the site and the proposed design includes 50%. of the general allocation prices of the non-EFF budget and comes with a contribution from the landowner. Infralayout’s innovations come with an expanding on-site application capability. The Right Place will be in dialogue with the developer about the investment gaps.
“It’s been our long-standing desire to see this site become a hub of good-paying job opportunities, and this grant funding will help make that a reality,” said Jerry Hale, Supervisor of Lowell Township. “This will not only cement the Lowell area as a top destination for companies looking to expand in West Michigan but will catalyze additional quality of life amenities like public recreation space and housing options. Plus, this will certainly have a positive impact on the local businesses in the area, including in Downtown Lowell.”
Like the old Buick City site in Flint, the Flint Commerce Center is a primary abandoned site that has been presented to many potential employers. This allocation will particularly improve the market price of the site by mitigating some of the serious dangers known to prospective users who have selected other sites. Site preparation includes the removal of underground utilities, concrete slabs and foundations, as well as upgrading the sewer system.
“Redeveloping residential areas is not an easy task, but it is very important for the good fortune of communities like Flint, and we are grateful that our partners in the state of Michigan are perceiving this,” said Tyler Rossmaessler, executive director of Flint
The Lansing RACER Trust Plant 6 site is an abandoned site that is poised for one of the most significant allocations of the entire state’s regression. Currently constrained by a number of hazards from the site selector’s perspective, this assignment will help the City of Lansing cope. with those issues and make the site more marketable. Site preparation includes removal of underground utilities, demolition of old structures, site due diligence, and progression of remediation plans for long-term use of the site.
“Lansing is a cutting-edge manufacturing network and we are proud of that legacy,” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. “The conversion of the former GM Fischer Body plant, now owned by the RACER Trust, is a great opportunity for the city of Lansing. This is an area that can be used for a variety of production options, but it is expensive to leave the blank assets and prepare them for reuse. I am incredibly grateful for the dollars provided through Governor Whitmer and the MSF Board of Directors to make this vital site in a marketable position for many new and exciting opportunities here in Lansing. “
“Our most sensible priority for the region is to promote progress by filling the gaps,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “We are excited to see progress begin on this challenging urban commercial site and are committed to supporting the City of Lansing in this effort. “