Barry County approves Mid Villa redevelopment TIF plan and several housing programs amid mixed public comment
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Summary
The Barry County Board adopted a Brownfield TIF plan and a tax-increment revenue-sharing agreement for the Mid Villa housing project and approved MSHDA CDBG and county housing programs after public comment both supporting and opposing the project.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 27 approved a Brownfield tax-increment financing (TIF) plan and a related tax-increment revenue-sharing agreement for the Mid Villa redevelopment in the Village of Middleville, and also authorized county participation in MSHDA-funded and other CDBG housing programs.
The day’s most contested agenda item was the Mid Villa project. During public comment, Kevin Smith, president pro-tem for the Village of Middleville, and several local officials and economic-development representatives — including Nicole Lyke, economic development director for the Barry County Chamber and DDA, Craig McCarthy, superintendent of Thornapple Kellogg Schools, and Jennifer Heinzman, CEO of the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance — spoke in favor of the development, describing it as workforce or affordable housing. Opponents including Victoria Betit and Curt DeCamp urged the board to reject the plan. Developer Nate Heyboer addressed the board about the project’s details, as summarized in the minutes.
The Board voted to adopt Resolution #24-18, approving the Brownfield TIF plan, and Resolution #24-19, approving the tax-increment revenue-sharing agreement. Resolution #24-18 passed on a roll-call vote with Ayes from Commissioners Mike Callton, Bruce Campbell, Mark Doster, David Hatfield, David Jackson and Bob Teunessen; Commissioners Catherine Getty and Jon Smelker voted Nay. Resolution #24-19 passed with Ayes from Callton, Campbell, Doster, Hatfield, Jackson, Smelker and Teunessen; Getty voted Nay.
Separately, the Board approved the MSHDA CHILL CDBG Grant Agreement, the associated authorized signatory form and the Housing Improvement Program (HIP) guidelines, and it approved a CDBG Emergency Homeowner Program and its guidelines. Those housing-related approvals were adopted by unanimous roll-call votes.
Board members said the items were discussed publicly and recorded in the meeting minutes; the minutes do not provide detailed contract terms, financial pro forma, or developer commitments beyond the actions listed. Several public commenters expressed both support and opposition; the minutes note that neighbors, local officials and a developer spoke in favor while some residents opposed the Mid Villa plan.
Next steps noted in the meeting record: the County will execute the approved agreements and the Mid Villa project will proceed under the adopted TIF and revenue-sharing framework. The minutes do not specify dates for any subsequent required administrative or permitting steps.