posted on May 22, 2009 18:42
Editor's Note: We are fortunate this week to have a good partner and friend, Katharine Czarnecki of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as our guest blogger. Katharine is a member of our Michigan Main Street Advisory Committee and the Michigan Downtown Conference Planning Partners. She manages the Community Assistance Team, who, by the way, are a great resource for communities looking to tackle bricks and mortar projects. Without further adeu, Ms. Czarnecki...
By Katharine Czarnecki, Manager
Community Assistance Team (CATeam)
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
WHAT IS THE CATeam?
The Community Assistance Team (CATeam) was created in 2001 within the walls of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. We are charged with being a community’s first point of content within State government. Our primary focus is to provide technical and financial assistance to Michigan’s communities. We have built partnerships within MEDC, neighborhood organizations and other state agencies to facilitate the development or redevelopment of Michigan’s downtowns. Our goal is to help you prosper.
WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS DOES THE CATeam WORK ON?
The CATeam targets redevelopment in traditional downtown settings and commercial corridors throughout Michigan's urban areas with programs such as brownfield redevelopment. These areas are most often associated with groupings of commercial parcels, with multi-story buildings of historical or architectural significance, and are zero lot line. These pedestrian friendly gateways have an appropriate mixture of commercial, retail, and residential.
WHAT IS A BROWNFIELD?
Most commonly, a brownfield is thought of as contaminated property brought about from historical industrial and manufacturing uses. However, properties considered functionally obsolete and/or blighted may also be considered a brownfield in Michigan. It may also be helpful to visualize a vacant, abandoned, vandalized or underutilized commercial or residential property as a brownfield.
WHAT INCENTIVES ARE AVAILABE FOR BROWNFIELD PROPERTIES?
The state of Michigan provides MBT credits, on a case-by-case basis, for projects that redevelop a contaminated, blighted or functionally obsolete "brownfield" property. Credits are available for up to 12.5% of eligible investments or 20% for certain core urban projects. In addition to Michigan Business Tax credits, projects may also be eligible for TIF (capture of state and local taxes) to reimburse developers for performing non-environmental activities, including demolition, lead and asbestos abatement, or if in a Qualified Local Governmental Unit (PA 146 of 2000) additional reimbursement for public infrastructure improvements and site preparation.
WHAT TYPE OF PROJECTS ARE TARGETED FOR BROWNFIELD CREDITS?
Brownfield MBT credits are targeted at projects that are mixed-use, increase density, and are located in traditional downtowns or commercial corridors. Recently, the MEDC has placed an emphasis on sustainable or "green" development, and looks favorably on incorporating the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification or another comparable program.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER GRANT OPPORTUNITIES?
The CATeam provides funding to Michigan’s non-entitlement communities through our Community Development Block Grant program. We provide matching funds for Façade Improvement, Signature Buildings, Downtown Infrastructure, Planning grants and Blight Elimination. Communities can qualify for CDBG dollars through job creation or area-wide benefit if you community meets certain income qualifications.
WHO DO I CONTACT FOR ASSISTANCE?
To find your geographic CATeam Specialist, please visit our website: http://themedc.org/Products-Services/Community-Assistance/Default.aspx