Current News

Forum to Spotlight Tools to Support Property Redevelopment  

The Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, AKT Peerless Environmental & Energy Services, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality are co-hosting an upcoming forum for real estate, finance, local government, and economic development professionals on current tools to support the redevelopment of targeted residential, commercial and industrial sites.  
The program will be held on Wednesday, August 15th, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM,  at the Baker College Welcome Center, 1309 S. M-52, Owosso. It is free to attend, and lunch will be provided.

Forum Synopsis
Redevelopment can be encouraged through partnership, cooperation and mutually advantageous programming centered on finance. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is one of the most powerful incentives in the economic development toolbox that can be used toward "targeted" redevelopment.

The State of Michigan has crafted one of the best TIF programs in the U.S., and it shows through a variety of successful downtown and Brownfield redevelopment projects, but this tool is still one of the least understood incentives we use today. You will learn to utilize this program as well as proactive ways that help leverage public resources to help solve the needs of the community, business, industry, developers, and investors. Additionally, proposed changes to Michigan's Brownfield TIF Program (PA 381) are being considered in Lansing and will be discussed.

Speakers to Include:

Eric Helzer, EDFP, Regional Manager & Economic Development & Incentives Director at AKT Peerless Environmental & Energy Services - Eric has spent the past 20 years of his career on economic development, construction and environmental engineering. AKT Peerless is a full service consulting firm that is comprised of leading professionals dedicated to providing effective solutions for their clients' needs. Prior to his work with AKT Peerless, Mr. Helzer was Brownfield Program Team Leader at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Jeff Hukill, Brownfield Redevelopment Coordinator, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)'s Remediation Division - Jeff works with MDEQ in assisting community economic development agencies and private developers with the redevelopment of contaminated properties. He is responsible for Brownfield redevelopment grants, loans and Act 381 tax increment financing for the entire Upper Peninsula, Shiawassee, Clinton, Gratiot, Genesee, Lapeer, Eaton, Ingham and Livingston Counties.

For questions, or to RSVP for the event, contact SEDP Project Specialist Brent Jones at 989-725-9241 or bjones@sedpweb.org by August 8th.