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Calhoun County holds public hearing on countywide Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Summary
County staff explained how a countywide Brownfield Redevelopment Authority could use grants and tax-increment financing to help redevelop properties and support housing; some residents voiced support while others warned against creating appointed decision-makers.
Calhoun County commissioners opened and closed a public hearing Jan. 15 to consider creating a countywide Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA), a state-authorized tool that county staff said could be used to redevelop obsolete properties and support housing projects.
Doug Farrell, who presented the proposal to the board, said the BRA would allow the county to apply for grants, use tax-increment financing to capture and reinvest taxes on participating parcels, and create a local revolving fund to help finance projects. He told commissioners a 2023 statutory change allows BRA tools to support housing projects even on sites that are not contaminated, which is one reason the county is considering a countywide authority rather than only municipal BRAs.
Farrell said Emmett Township and the village of Homer have already passed resolutions to join, and that the county could add townships or cities later on a project-by-project basis. He recommended that the county’s existing economic development corporation (EDC) board serve as the BRA governing board, noting the EDC already includes local municipalities and stakeholders. Farrell said the land bank will give a fuller presentation on Feb. 5 with more concrete project examples.
During the public hearing, resident Barry Wayne Adams expressed skepticism about creating more appointed authorities and warned that such bodies can distance citizens from decision-making. Adams said, “you’re trading a new body of decision makers who will be appointed but not elected,” and urged commissioners to protect citizen input.
Conversely, Christine Kosmowski of Leroy Township said she supported a countywide BRA because it would provide townships with flexibility and the ability to join projects after the authority is established. Kosmowski said the option to join later makes the countywide approach useful for smaller municipalities that lack staff to administer redevelopment tools.
The board did not vote to create the BRA at the Jan. 15 session; the hearing was opened and closed and the county will continue deliberations. The land bank is scheduled to present a more detailed briefing on Feb. 5.
