Industrial Development Incentives
Tax Abatements for Manufacturers
Industrial Magnetics, Inc, in Boyne City, financed a $1.5 M building expansion creating 10 new jobs with the assistance of a tax abatement.
In 1974, the Michigan Legislature gave municipalities the ability to offer manufacturers tax abatements as an incentive to expand or locate in their communities. The Industrial Property Tax Abatement (PA 198 of 1974) provides for approximately 50% of the property taxes on real investments to be abated for up to 12 years. The tax savings helps finance the investment. At the end of the abatement term, the company pays taxes on current assessment. This is a win:win in that the community gains jobs and stimulates new taxes, and the company has financial help with the expansion.
“The NLEA helped Bay Shore Steel Works obtain tax abatements on two expansions totaling $4.6 million. As a result of the investment, we won a $7.3 million General Dynamics Land Systems contract in 2011 and were able to hire 5 more employees.” Anton Matye, Bay Shore Steel Works
Local Development Finance Act (LDFA)
Boyne City’s business park is an LDFA.
Local Development Finance Act (LDFA) (Public Act 281 of 1986) allows a city, village or urban township (there are no urban townships in the NLEA region) to utilize tax increment financing (TIF) to fund public infrastructure improvements. An LDFA is typically formed around an industrial park, as the properties eligible for tax capture are only manufacturing, high-technology or value-added agricultural processing.
The city or village must set up the LDFA by following the requirements of the Act. This includes designating the LDFA district, notifying the public, holding public hearings, appointing an LDFA Board, etc. Once established, the LDFA prepares a development plan and tax increment financing plan, which they submit to the municipality for approval. Public hearings must be held for this step, as well. Once this is accomplished, the LDFA begins to capture a portion of the new property taxes that result from the improvements on the eligible property. These funds are then used by the LDFA, in accordance with the approved plan, for public infrastructure improvements, the acquisition of land, demolition, site preparation, etc. within the LDFA district.
Click here for a fact sheet.
NLEA’s Team of Economic Development Specialists can assist communities in finding the most effective approach to meet their needs. To learn more about our services and full range of community development solutions, please contact us at 231-582-6482, or by email.
