This bill creates a new state tax credit program designed to encourage private investment in community development projects across Michigan. It allows qualified taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 25% of their eligible investment, increasing to 50% for projects involving historic rehabilitation, rural development, or areas with low-income populations. To receive the credit, applicants must demonstrate local support and prove that the project would not happen without the financial incentive, while the state fund reviews applications based on criteria such as economic soundness and the potential to revitalize blighted or vacant properties. The legislation sets annual spending limits for the program, requires projects to be completed within three years, and mandates that at least 20% of the credits go to rural or small-scale initiatives.
This bill updates the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to expand the powers and duties of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). It allows the fund to establish and operate a job training program for workers and a brownfield historic investment program for specific capital projects. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the fund's authority to issue bonds for a special entity dedicated to settling a specific legal claim against the state. These changes aim to provide the MEDC with clearer legal tools to manage grants, loans, and investments while pursuing economic development goals.
This bill creates a new state tax credit program to encourage private investment in community development projects across Michigan. It allows taxpayers who invest in eligible properties, such as historic sites, rural areas, or low-income census tracts, to receive a credit equal to 25% to 50% of their investment costs. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate local support, show the project is financially sound, and prove it will revitalize blighted or vacant areas. The program includes strict timelines for securing financing and completing construction, with a total annual funding cap of $200 million that must be at least 30% allocated to housing projects.
SB 792 amends Michigan's "Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act" to clarify definitions and update eligibility for tax exemptions on rehabilitation projects. The bill specifies that "obsolete property" includes blighted, functionally obsolete, or brownfield sites (e.g., industrial buildings converted to residential use), and defines "rehabilitation" to require major improvements (exceeding 10% of property value), excluding minor repairs. It refines criteria for local governments to establish rehabilitation districts, limiting eligibility to areas with economic hardship indicators like low median income or proximity to large cities. This affects property owners and local governments in designated districts by ensuring only substantial rehabilitation projects qualify for tax relief under the updated rules.
SB 213 requires the Michigan Strategic Advisory Board to create a 10-year economic development plan for the state within one year of its appointment, with annual updates thereafter. The plan must include specific goals covering all regions (rural, suburban, urban), infrastructure needs, affordable housing, environmental protection, water resources, education access, and economic opportunities for all residents. It mandates measurable metrics for success, such as population growth and resident prosperity, and requires a "whole-government approach" to achieve these objectives. The bill directly affects the Strategic Advisory Board and Michigan Strategic Fund by establishing their planning obligations under the Michigan Strategic Fund Act.
