Statewide Incentives and Programs

In partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Middle Michigan Development Corporation serves as the primary contact in Clare, Isabella, Gladwin and Osceola Counties for businesses seeking state and select federal incentives. The following is a list of the most commonly used state incentives and federal incentives.

Links to Select State Incentives Programs 

Agribusiness Financing Programs 

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), offers multiple programs to help support the financing and growth of agricultural businesses in the State of Michigan. MDARD and the MEDC offer loan assistance to help businesses gain access to financing through private lenders, including banks and credit unions.

Brownfield Program Overview

The Brownfield Program uses tax increment financing to reimburse Brownfield related costs incurred while redeveloping contaminated, functionally obsolete, blighted or historic properties that are former industrial, commercial, residential or public property.

Commercial Redevelopment Act

The Commercial Redevelopment program encourages the replacement, restoration and new construction of eligible commercial property by abating the property taxes generated from new investment for a period up to 12 years.

Commercial Rehabilitation Act

The Commercial Rehabilitation program encourages rehabilitation of eligible commercial property 15 years or older by abating the property taxes generated from new investment for a period up to 10 years.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Business Development Initiatives

The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), in cooperation with the MEDC, administers the CDBG program which is a federal grant program utilizing funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This fact sheet provides a broad overview of the business development portions of the program including Direct Assistance to Business and Infrastructure.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Community Development Initiatives

The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), in cooperation with the MEDC, administers the CDBG program which is a federal grant program utilizing funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This fact sheet provides a broad overview of the community development portions of the program including Blight Elimination, Façade Improvements, Downtown Public Infrastructure and Signature Building Acquisition.

Industrial Property Tax Abatement (PA 198)

Industrial property tax abatements provide incentives for eligible businesses to make new investment in Michigan. These abatements encourage Michigan manufacturers to build new plants, expand existing plants, renovate aging plants or add new machinery and equipment. High-technology operations are also eligible for the abatement.

Michigan Business Development Program

The Michigan Business Development Program is an incentive program designed to provide grants, loans or other economic assistance to businesses for highly competitive projects in Michigan that create jobs and/or provide investment.

Michigan Community Revitalization Program

The Michigan Community Revitalization Program is an incentive program designed to provide grants, loans, or other economic assistance for eligible investment projects in Michigan that accelerate private investment in areas of historical declining values, foster redevelopment of functionally obsolete or historic properties, reduce blight and protect natural resources of this state.

Opportunity Zones 

Many of our communities fall under designated opportunity zones. These zones were enacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 as a federal tax incentive established to foster economic growth in low-income communities by encouraging long-term investment of unrealized capital gains. 

Personal Property Tax Relief Program (PA 328)

The Personal Property Tax Relief in Distressed Communities Program allows distressed communities, county seats and certain border county communities to abate personal property taxes on new investments made by eligible businesses.

Total Listing of State Incentive Fact Sheets from MEDC Website

Middle Michigan Development Corporation works closely with the state’s regional representatives for Business Development and Community Development. The following are the listings for the Business Development Manager and Community Team Specialist serving our area:

Business Development Manager for Clare, Isabella, and Gladwin Counties:
Brenda Flory
MEDC – Business Development Manager
(517)243-2479

Regional Business Development Manager Map

Business Development Manager for Osceola County:
Darryl Todd
MEDC – Business Development Manager
(517)643-6397

Regional Business Development Manager Map

Community Assistance Team Specialist for Clare, Isabella and Gladwin Counties:
Joe Frost
MEDC CATeam
(517)930-5576

Community Development Team Map

Community Assistance Team Specialist for Osceola County:
Sue DeVries
MEDC CATeam
(616)430-0280

Community Development Team Map