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Muskegon County Board creates Brownfield Redevelopment Authority after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing, the Muskegon County Board approved a resolution establishing a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to give municipalities an optional county-level tool for tax-increment financing and redevelopment; county officials emphasized local units will retain final approval of any projects.
The Muskegon County Board of Commissioners voted to establish a county Brownfield Redevelopment Authority under the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act (Public Act 381 of 1996) after a public hearing led by housing coordinator Jennifer Hodges.
"Tonight's public hearing is to hear public comments regarding the establishment of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority," Hodges told the board, adding that the tool is intended to help bring more development — particularly housing — into the county. She emphasized that creating the authority does not itself designate project sites and that "nothing we approve can be done without the local units' approval," meaning any use of the authority would still require sign-off by affected municipalities.
The resolution authorizes the County Board of Commissioners to serve as the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and was moved by Commissioner McGuigan and supported by Chair Nash. Commissioners approved the measure after Hodges' presentation; there were no public comments at the hearing.
County officials said the authority will provide local municipalities with the option of using county-level brownfield/TIF tools to finance cleanup and redevelopment projects, with housing noted as the primary goal. Hodges and other staff said the authority is intended as another tool in the county's toolbox, to be used only with municipal consent and appropriate oversight.
Next steps listed by staff include formalizing the authority per the resolution and making information available to municipalities about how projects would be proposed, reviewed and approved. The board did not tie any specific project to the authority at the meeting.
