Today, more than $87. 5 million in grants have been awarded to 18 projects across Michigan through the state’s Strategic Site Preparedness Program (SSRP). Through SSRP’s investment and collaboration with local, regional, and energy partners, Michigan communities now have greater opportunities for economic advancement for their business advancement 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 physically powerful bipartisan economic progression toolbox, we are competing with other states and nations to recover blank cars, chips, and power supply chains. We will do this while making Michigan communities, from cities large to small, better places to live, work, and invest.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) won more than 70 programs totaling $420 million in requested funding, more than 4 times the SSRP allocation. Funding awarded in nine of the state’s 10 affluent regions, representing at least one grant for each region that applied. Of the 18 winners, 10 are brownfields that will get 49% of the prize funding; The other winners are brand new sites across 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 make 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. , the U. S. is not going to be able to do so. “””The U. S. Workforce, communities, and economic advancement agencies that proactively prepare business sites and exercise the workforce will be the winners of this race, the ultimate results of which will determine which states and regions will drive equitable economic prosperity for the next 20 to 30 years,” said Maureen Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Association. “The MSF Board of Directors’ approval of the Strategic Site Preparedness Program is critical to Michigan’s success, and Detroit’s regional partnership aligns with MEDC through our Verified Industrial Properties (VIP through DRP) program to aid our region’s commitment to prepare more sites to help Michigan earn its percentage of critical task creation projects.
“On behalf of MEDC, it’s exciting to be able to assist local communities in their entrepreneurial advancement efforts as they install sites of all sizes to prepare for economic advancement opportunities in their region,” said Terri Fitzpatrick, 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 significant 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 development of an industrial park in Hancock, MI will help expand and diversify the economy in the Houghton/Hancock area, fitting with the strategic plan in Region 1. This new park builds on the success of the nearly full Industrial Airpark at the Houghton County Memorial Airport. This project will complete necessary infrastructure improvements, increasing capacity in electric, gas and water at the site and will remove the last hurdle to the site opening for business later this year.
“On behalf of the City of Hancock, we are thrilled to secure the investment 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. It 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 game-changer 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.”
As the former Buick City site in Flint, the Flint Commerce Center is a major brownfield site that has been submitted to many potential employers. This project will significantly improve the marketability of the site by mitigating some of the serious risks identified by potential users who have chosen other sites. Site preparation includes removal of underground utilities, concrete slabs and foundations, and updating 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 impactful tasks in all of regression in the state. Currently constrained by a number of hazards from the site selector’s perspective, this task will help the City of Lansing investigate those issues and make the site more marketable. Site preparation includes the removal of underground utilities, demolition of aging structures, site due diligence, and progression of remediation plans for long-term use of the site.
“Lansing is a state-of-the-art production network and we’re 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. This is an area that can be used for a variety of production options, but it is costly to leave assets blank 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 drive progress by filling the gaps,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “We are thrilled to see the beginning of progress on this challenging urban commercial site, and we are committed to supporting the City of Lansing in this effort.