Community Improvement Projects, Brownfield Redevelopments Get State Support
LANSING -- The Michigan Economic Development Corp. Wednesday announced state incentives for six community redevelopment projects that are projected to invest more than $82.2 million in Michigan and create 213 new, direct jobs in Michigan.
In addition, the board approved a 2013 Early Stage Funding Request for Proposals to solicit applications from nonprofit organizations that provide financial support to university research or pre-seed and startup competitive edge technologies.
The MSF-approved projects include one in Detroit, another two in the Flint-Saginaw area, and three in West Michigan.
Community Revitalization Program
Kirco CH Distribution, LLC has been awarded a $1 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program incentive for the Cardinal Health Inc. Redevelopment Project in Detroit. The project includes the demolition of all of the existing structures on approximately 23 acres and redevelopment of the area with a new 275,951-square-foot medical distribution center for Cardinal Health. The project will generate a total capital investment of approximately $29.9 million, create 31 full-time positions and retain 109 existing jobs. The city of Detroit is offering support to the project in the form of a 12-year Obsolete Property Rehabilitation tax abatement. In addition, MSF approved an Act 381 Brownfield work plan submitted by the City of Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for school and local tax capture valued at $4,761,155 to assist with demolition, site preparation and infrastructure improvements for the project.
URC FJ, LLC, a subsidiary of the Uptown Reinvestment Corporation, has been awarded a $5,649,071 Michigan Community Revitalization Program incentive to redevelop four city blocks in downtown Flint to create an emerging health and wellness district. The project will consist of three main projects: the renovation of the former Flint Journal's headquarters to make way for Michigan State University's Flint Public Health & Medical Campus project; the relocation of the 70-plus vendor Flint Farmers Market to the vacant Flint Journal printing facility; and the demolition of the Genesee Towers property to make way for an urban plaza. The Flint Journal headquarters renovation will also include 16 loft style apartments and office space, and the Farmers Market will include a commercial community kitchen. The project will generate a total capital investment of $29.8 million and create 75 full-time jobs. The City of Flint will support the project through a Community Development Block Grant totaling $880,000 and the approval of an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Certificate.
Community Development Block Grant Program
The Village of Cassopolis has been awarded $400,000 in CDBG funds for on-the-job training for the Postle Operating LLC expansion project in Cassopolis. Postle, a producer of extruded aluminum products for recreational vehicles, is investing more than $12.6 million in the project, which will expand the company's production capabilities and create up to 40 new full-time jobs over the next two years. The company has agreed that at least 21 of the jobs will be held by low to moderate income persons.
The City of Frankenmuth has been awarded $249,975 in CDBG funds for infrastructure improvements for the Kremin Inc. construction project in Frankenmuth. The new manufacturing facility will allow the company to add additional machinery and create up to 25 jobs over the next two years. The company has agreed that at least 13 of the positions will be held by low to moderate income persons. The city of Frankenmuth will contribute $583,345 to the project.
Brownfield Work Plans
600 Douglas LLC Project -- The city of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will use school and local tax capture valued at $432,340 to demolish two buildings located at 600 Douglas Street in the City of Grand Rapids and construct four multi-story residential buildings consisting of 18 units. The project will include infrastructure improvements, asbestos abatement, relocation of electrical lines and landscaping. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $2.4 million.
Riverside Senior Care Project -- The city of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will use $1,058,399 in school and local tax capture to partially demolish a functionally obsolete former elementary school in the City of Grand Rapids. The project will include renovating the remainder of the building and constructing an addition. The completed building will serve as Riverside Senior Care, a licensed senior care facility for 55 residents. The development sits upon a seven-acre site and will maintain most of the existing walking paths and mature landscaping. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $7 million and create 42 full-time jobs.
Early Stage Funding Request For Proposals
The Michigan Strategic Fund and the MEDC issued a Request for Proposals to solicit applications from nonprofit organizations that provide financial support to university research or pre-seed and startup competitive edge technologies that require capital to transition from the earliest stages of the commercialization process.
The total funding available through the 2013 Early Stage Funding Program is $8,958,000.
Additional information on the RFP will be available beginning June 27, 2013 at www.michiganadvantage.org/Public-Notices-Requests-for-Proposals/.
Proposals must be submitted to the MSF electronically to contractsandgrants@michigan.org by Wednesday, July 31 at 3 p.m. Proposals will not be accepted via U.S. mail or any other delivery method. Prospective applicants may submit questions regarding the RFP via email by Wednesday, July 17 at 3 p.m. to contractsandgrants@michigan.org. The MSF will not respond to questions that are not received by the above date and time. In addition, questions that are phoned, faxed or sent through regular mail will not be accepted. Responses to all qualifying questions will be posted on the MEDC's website, www.michiganadvantage.org on July 24, 2013 at 5 p.m.
