December 15, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2010
Bills enable Aerotropolis project, other regional approaches to attracting new investment
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed the six-bill Next Michigan legislative package into law in the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The Michigan House and Senate passed the legislation earlier this month with strong bipartisan support.
"This legislation allows the leveraging of one of our state's greatest assets - the Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run airport corridor - to attract businesses and create tens of thousands of jobs in southeast Michigan," Granholm said. "It also enables communities in other regions of the state to band together to stimulate economic development around the transportation assets in their areas."
The Next Michigan legislation permits the designation of up to five regional entities across the state called Next Michigan Development Corporations. These regional entities will be able to offer economic incentives to businesses that rely on multimodal commerce to locate near major transportation facilities such as airports.
The nine communities surrounding Detroit Metro and Willow Run airports already have signed an interlocal agreement to be part of the Aerotropolis Development Corporation (ADC). With the new enabling legislation, the ADC now will be able to focus on maximizing the economic potential of Detroit Metro and Willow Run airports and the surrounding areas. An independent study commissioned by Business Leaders for Michigan estimates the Aerotropolis project could draw $10 billion in economic investment and create 64,000 jobs.
"This is about jobs, jobs, jobs and getting people back to work," said Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano.
"Today makes things official, giving the Aerotropolis Development Corporation the ability to move forward. I want to commend and thank the legislature for seeing the importance of this legislation as well as the governor for signing it into law. Next Michigan is pivotal in continuing regional collaboration and elevating Michigan as a great place to do business."
A Next Michigan Development Corporation can establish up to 12 Renaissance Zones based on the number of participants in an interlocal agreement. Each zone may be up to 200 acres in size. The maximum number of eligible businesses that can qualify for Renaissance Zone benefits statewide is 25.
The bills signed by the governor today are House Bill 5346, sponsored by State Representative Douglas Geiss (D-Taylor); House Bill 5347, sponsored by State Representative Pam Byrnes (D-Lyndon Township); House Bill 5349, sponsored by State Representative John Walsh (R-Livonia); Senate Bill 1079, sponsored by State Senator Randy Richardville (R-Monroe); Senate Bill 1082, sponsored by State Senator Mark C. Jansen (R-Gaines Township), and Senate Bill 1084, sponsored by State Senator Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit).
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