The investment was part of $87.5 million in grant funding across the State of Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today in announcing approval of $87.5 million in grant funding for 18 projects across the state of Michigan — $7.1 million designated for three projects in Livingston and Washtenaw counties — through the Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) to support the state’s efforts to compete for and win transformative projects.
“Strategically prepared sites invite growth, innovation, and economic prosperity for a community,” said Ann Arbor SPARK’s Marcia Gebarowski, director of business development in Livingston County. “We appreciate the state of Michigan supporting these opportunities that will help attract new research and development, manufacturing, and other opportunities to our region. We are pleased to partner with our local communities to support these projects.”
Livingston County
- Latson Innovation Interchange Technology & Industrial Park, Genoa Township and Ann Arbor SPARK: $6,500,000
- Pleasant Valley Development, Brighton Township (brownfield site): $604,000
Washtenaw County
- AICP – Lot 14, City of Saline: $15,350
Through this funding for strategic site readiness and collaboration with local, regional, and energy partners, communities across Michigan will experience increased economic development opportunities to support in their business development efforts. Both Livingston projects have received additional site readiness resources through the Verified Industrial Properties Program.
“These grants will fund 18 projects across Michigan, preparing us to win more manufacturing projects creating thousands of good-paying jobs,” said Governor Whitmer. “Together, with a strong, bipartisan economic development toolkit, we are competing with other states and nations to bring home supply chains of cars, chips, and clean energy. We will get it done while making communities across Michigan—from big cities to small towns—better places to live, work, and invest. Let’s move some dirt!”
Grant applications were accepted from September 18 to October 30, 2023. The MEDC received over 70 applications totaling $420 million in requested funding – more than four times the SSRP allocation – further demonstrating the significant need for advancing site readiness in the state of Michigan. 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 be receiving 49 percent of the award funding; the remaining awardees are greenfield sites throughout the state. Creating a robust inventory of investment-ready sites of all sizes will provide Michigan with increased opportunities for business attraction and expansion projects across the state.
The remaining funds of the full $100 million SSRP allocation will support applications requiring more time and evaluation, additional needs that may come up later in the year and to have funds available to support sites that enter the site readiness certification program, which is scheduled to be launched this fiscal year.
Due to high demand on the limited funds, the MEDC has submitted a list of applications that self-identified as brownfields to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to review for potential assistance.
Established in December 2021, SSRP provides financial incentives to eligible applicants to conduct eligible activities on, or related to, strategic and large-scale sites in Michigan to attract and promote investment in the state.
The SSRP was among the several initiatives in the economic development bills signed into law by Gov. Whitmer in December 2021. Public Act 194 of 2022 authorized additional SSRP funding and directed it at specific SSRP categories, including a $100 million allocation for strategic sites where an end-user is unknown. Legislative approval of the transfer of those dollars from the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve fund to the Michigan Strategic Fund was made in June 2023.
“On behalf of the MEDC, it is exciting to be able to support local communities in their business development efforts as they bring forth sites of all sizes to prepare for economic development opportunities in their region,” said Terri Fitzpatrick, MEDC Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate and Global Attraction Officer. “Thanks to Governor Whitmer and the Michigan legislature’s continued efforts to attract business developments and grow the state’s economy, these site readiness projects across Michigan will create meaningful impact throughout our state. While this is a good start, the demand remains substantial and will require continued funding for years to come.”
Read the complete MEDC press release.
