Zeeland council approves JR Automation Brownfield plan and shifts $2M TIF for infrastructure

The Zeeland Common Council on May 18 unanimously approved a Brownfield plan for JR Automation Technologies, LLC, and adopted an amendment to the 17 E Main Brownfield Plan that reallocates $2,000,000 of city tax-increment funding from an "additional housing" activity to a "public infrastructure" eligible activity.

The JR Automation plan covers an estimated $4,101,975 in developer-eligible activities and anticipates related city BPW infrastructure requests of $4,531,000 for Phase I improvements and up to $4,000,000 for potential Phase II work (including study of a roundabout at Main and Fairview). City staff told the council the administrative provisions and estimated incentive calculations comply with the City’s Brownfield Tax Increment Financing Policy and the Community and Economic Development Financial Incentive Policy. City Manager Tim Klunder said the total estimated tax increment collected through the TIF for the JR Automation project could reach about $13.7 million, of which roughly $6.2 million (about 46%) would be city tax dollars; the plan does not capture state education or school operating taxes.

Sean Ryan, a JR Automation representative, described the company’s operations—custom automation work for automotive manufacturers and diversified product lines including medical device components—and said the company was "excited to be a part of the City of Zeeland community." Council members voted to approve the JR Automation Brownfield Plan resolution and the 17 E Main Brownfield Plan Amendment #1 in separate motions; both motions passed with all members voting aye.

Council and staff noted next steps if the JR Automation plan is approved: the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and the city will execute a reimbursement agreement with the developer before any tax reimbursements are made, and the city expects to bond for a portion of infrastructure improvements, with tax increment revenues used to repay bonds. Staff also pointed council to background materials provided in the work-study packet, including consultant memoranda and the original plan materials documenting eligible costs and the specific line-item reallocation for 17 E Main.

The council closed the public hearings on both items and approved the resolutions during the regular meeting; both votes were unanimous. The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority had already approved the JR Automation plan amendment on March 31, 2026, before the city council’s action. The reimbursement agreement and any bond-related financing will return to the council or the BPW as needed for future approvals.