What’s Next for the I-69 International Trade Corridor?

Genesee County Sees Job Creation and Growth as Part of State’s Third and Largest Aerotropolis

Community leaders look on as representatives from Genesee, Lapeer, Shiawassee and St. Clair counties sign the agreement to become the state’s third and largest Next Michigan Development Corporation (NMDC/Aerotropolis). From left: Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership President & CEO Justin Horvath and Shiawassee County Administrator Margaret McAvoy; Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Economic Development Janice Karcher and Genesee County Board of Commissioners Chair Jamie Curtis; Lapeer Development Corporation Executive Director Patricia Lucas and Lapeer County Commissioner Lenny Schneider; and Dan Casey, CEO of Economic Development for the Alliance of St. Clair County and St. Clair County Commissioner Howard Heideman.

Genesee, Lapeer, St.Clair and Shiawassee counties along the I-69 International Trade Corridor were recently named the state’s third Next Michigan Development Corporation (NMDC).  The newly approved region, which includes the four counties and 33 municipalities, is the largest NMDC.   

According to Janice Karcher, Vice President of Economic Development the Flint-Genesee County region will benefit from increased marketing of the corridor, in addition to the availability of additional tools for economic growth.

“This is an incredible opportunity to grow the region and create jobs,” said Janice Karcher, Vice President of Economic Development for the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.  “Now that we are officially an NMDC we can build on what has already become a valuable regional partnership.  The tools we gain through this designation will definitely enhance our job creation efforts.”

As an NMDC, the I-69 Corridor can now offer economic incentives to businesses that utilize multiple forms of transportation.  The Corridor will benefit from marketing Bishop Airport, major freeways, the Blue Water Bridge, CSX and Canadian National rails, as well as several water ports to businesses that are engaged in international multi-modal commerce.   Businesses can benefit from state and local incentives, tax increment finance plans and real and personal property tax abatements.

Karcher says projects are underway that will be enhanced by the tools available through the NMDC. 

There are now four designated regions including metro Detroit, Lansing, the I-69 Corridor and Grand Traverse.  The Next Michigan Development Act allows for up to five NMDCs in the state to be granted by the Michigan Strategic Fund in cooperation with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

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