The House Transportation Committee this week took up legislation to create Aerotropolis/Next Michigan zones.  As introduced, this legislation would expand the core community tools and give new renaissance zones to any community or communities that partner with a county.  This could mean that rural areas could partner with the county and be granted renaissance zones, personal property tax abatements, IFT’s, and LDFA’s that capture state dollars.  These communities could also offer these incentives to any businesses anywhere in the area.  While the original intention was to maximize Detroit Metro Airport for supply-chain, this legislation was much broader and the League opposed it because it would create sprawl and put cities, villages and urban townships at a tremendous disadvantage to Greenfield areas.  It would also put big cities at a disadvantage.  The League worked closely with Chair Pam Byrnes, Rep. Bert Johnson and other bill sponsors to ensure that the committee considered substitutes which were much better than the original bills.  These substitutes were adopted when the committee voted, then were moved to the House floor.  The bills still need much work, which will happen before the bills are considered on the House floor. One bill, which included the business definition, could not be worked out and was left in committee.  The League will continue to protect its members from expansion of these tools to rural areas, placing urban areas at a disadvantage.  The League will also continue to work with core cities to ensure that they have the ability to offer these tools and renaissance zones without needing county approval.

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