1. I-69 International Trade Corridor
Discover the Business Advantage
IEDC Leadership Summit – Orlando, FL
January 28, 2013
By
Paul J. Brake, CEcD
City Manager, City of Grand Blanc
Justin Horvath, CEcD
President/CEO, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership
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2. Introduction
• 2010 Michigan legislation allows for up to five
Next Michigan Development Corporations
• Participants must be local municipal and
county – parties to an Interlocal Agreement
• Next Michigan Boards are authorized to grant
project-based tax incentives to multi-modal
businesses

3. Our Next Michigan Board
• Largest in Michigan with 35 municipal and
county partners
– Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer & St. Clair Counties

4. About the Corridor
• Our region services as a gateway
between the Midwest US and Ontario, Canada

5. Our Next Michigan Board

6. Our Next Michigan Board
• The NMDC is an independent self-governing
entity, managed by a board with
representatives from participating
municipalities.
– Revenues sources from member municipalities
– Receives administrative support from Genesee
Regional Chamber of Commerce and Prima Civitas
Foundation
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7. Advantages of Next Michigan
• Important new component of regional
economic development efforts
– Supports business – existing and new
– Multi-modal focus encourages trade and transport
– Unique incentives for qualified projects
– Municipal collaboration across the region
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8. Supporting Investment & Jobs
• Projects can be considered for Next Michigan
support if…
– Location is within participating municipality
– Firm uses multiple modes of freight transportation
– Project is growth, not in-state relocation
• Businesses can access information through four
county-wide economic development agencies
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9. Supporting Investment & Jobs
• Next Michigan Development Corp incentives
– 50% tax abatement on new real & personal property
– 100% tax abatement on new personal property
– Formation of tax-free Renaissance Zones is expected
to be completed mid-2013
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10. Steps to Success
• Form Renaissance Zone Districts
─ Identify & evaluate potential sites
─ NMDC selects sites based on advice of Economic
Developers and MEDC
─ NMDC submits sites to Michigan Strategic Fund for
approval
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11. Why become a Qualified Eligible
Next Michigan Business
⁻ Certified as an eligible business gains opportunity for
Renaissance Zone Tax Abatements
⁻ An Eligible Next Michigan Business is multimodal
⁻ Within a renaissance zone, a business may apply to
NMDC for certification as a Qualified Eligible Next
Michigan Business
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12. What we have learned from the
collaborative partnership
• The Corridor shares a common vision and mission of
promoting economic prosperity
⁻ Target regional strategy on the existing and
competitive advantages
⁻ Implementation framework that is result oriented,
focused on aligning and leveraging resources
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13. What we have learned from the
collaborative partnership
• Engage stakeholders on a broader scale
- Forum to educate about partnerships underway
- Encourage partnerships among sectors in the
corridor
- Groups show willingness to collaborate across
county lines
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14. What we have learned from the
collaborative partnership
• Maximize Resources to Communicate a Message
⁻ Leverage funds through other NMDCs
⁻ Explore joint advertising opportunities through
national media outlets
⁻ Work in coordination with Michigan Economic
Development Corp
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15. What we have learned from the
collaborative partnership
• Overcame longstanding barriers that existed
previously because of political boundaries
and/or silo mentalities
- The corridor has built trust amongst a diverse
membership
- Intercommunication is key
- Organizational structure promotes equal
representation & leadership
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16. Project News
• Pinnacle Foods expansion in Imlay City
– 29 new jobs; 249 existing + 300 seasonal
– Facility and equipment expansion
- $14.3 million investment
⁻ Retention of legacy business
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17. Project News
• Pinnacle Foods expansion in Imlay City
– Next Michigan tax abatement support
• 100% tax abatement on new personal property
• Additional support from Imlay City and MEDC
– Local, regional and state impact
• Jobs, services, and raw materials
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19. Conclusion
• Next Michigan Development Corp benefits
– Showcases regional collaboration
– Highlights region’s assets and business advantages
– Delivers unique incentive options in participating
municipalities
– Focus on businesses in trade and transport sectors
– Supports new investment and jobs
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20. Contact Us
Paul J. Brake
citymanager@citygrandblanc.com
(810) 694-1118
Justin Horvath
jhorvath@sedpweb.org
(989) 725-9241
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