Michigan lawmakers are getting back to work in Lansing, and state Representative Joey Andrews will have his plate full.
Speaking to St. Joseph City Commissioners this week, Andrews said one thing he’s working on is an expansion to the state’s brownfield program.
“A modification to the brownfield tax credit, which has been a very successful credit statewide,” Andrews said. “We’ve got a bill in to try to expand that credit for acquisition and redevelopment projects, which I think in our area would be a huge boost given the number of projects we hear from local developers that have a funding gap and it’s often around the acquisition.”
In 2023, Michigan updated its brownfield law to let the developers of housing capture property tax growth via tax increment financing plans to help recoup construction and infrastructure costs. That’s proven successful, so he’s seeking to build on it.
Andrews said he’s also working on an expansion to the state’s historic preservation grant.
“We have a lot of old historic buildings that could use a new lease on life, and it’s pretty expensive to maintain those buildings and keep them in their kind of historic character. So that credit is totally maxed out right now. It’s very popular across the state.”
Andrews told commissioners this year’s budget cycle will get started right away, so if they have any funding needs, they should reach out to his office early.
Andrews added lawmakers this year will also be talking economic development and taxes. He said with affordability top of mind in Michigan right now, a package of legislation to help Michiganders pay their bills is likely to be rolled out in the coming months.
