Overview

The Grand Traverse County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority promotes and facilitates the reuse and redevelopment of environmentally impaired properties.

Establishment

The Grand Traverse County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) was established in 1997 under the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act, PA 381 of 1996, as amended. The BRA is a 7-member board appointed by the County Board of Commissioners for a 3-year term, per statute. From the time of establishment of BRA in 1997 until 2009, members on the BRA also served on the Economic Development Corporation. Effective January 1, 2009, both boards were separated and therefore have different memberships. 

Primary Functions of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority

• Facilitate the redevelopment of environmentally contaminated and under-utilized properties located within the County.
• Oversee the process of reviewing, approving and management of Brownfield Plans and work plans for site redevelopment through the use of tax increment financing, tax credits, grants and loans and in association with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority.
• Work to clean up sites with contaminated soil and groundwater.
• Redevelop contaminated sites to reduce development pressure on the green spaces. Redeveloped properties increase in value and thereby increase the tax base.
• Facilitate creation of new jobs and employment opportunities in community.
• Provide Funding/financing of brownfield eligible activities through: Brownfield Plans,State and Federal Grand and Loans, and Other Incentives. 

Funding Sources

• EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, Brownfield Assessment, Cleanup and Multi-purpose Grants and Revolving Loan Fund
• EGLE, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy(formally MEDQ), Brownfield Grants and Loans
• MEDC, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Incentives: e.g., Business Development Program(BDP), Community Revitalization Program(CRP) and Transformational Brownfield Plans(TMP)
• State Lake Bank Incentives: e.g.Blight Elimination Grants, Redevelopment Loans
• County Lank Bank Incentives: Multi-site Brownfield Plans, 5/50 Specific Tax, Housing Support

Economic Development Resource

• Provides gap financing- TIF
• Supports traditional financing
• Encourages re-use of existing infrastructure