Faster, Clearer Decisions with Michigan Site Readiness

By Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The speed and quality of a site selection process can make or break a company’s competitive edge. Questions about actual readiness and costly due diligence are what break the advantage.

That’s why Michigan isn’t just checking boxes on land and transport. We’re rolling out the red carpet for transformative business investments with MI Sites, our new site readiness program [https://www.michiganbusiness.org/mi-sites-program/]. This new initiative brings you clearer and easier site decisions while plugging your company directly into our comprehensive state support.

Welcome to Turn-Key Speed and Certainty

The MI Sites ethos is about having the right space ready at the right time, supported by a community that’s eager to partner in your success. This program is more than a database of available land (but it has that, too). You’ll be able to make better decisions faster with the information we derive from our work identifying, evaluating and investing in great sites across the state.

The MI Sites badge means we’ve spotted potential roadblocks, then rolled up our sleeves and either created a plan or done the work to resolve them:

• Greater confidence: We worked with experts in site selection and economic development to make sure we’re looking at the right factors when it comes to site readiness.
• Reduced risk: Each site is vetted to preemptively answer questions about site condition, permitting and infrastructure so you can have more accurate planning and budgeting.
• Shorter timelines: Site owners undertake due diligence ahead of a project, which means less time between site selection and groundbreaking.
• Easier decision-making: Detailed site information, easily searchable data and a clear pathway through local and state processes make your choice easier.
• Streamlined support: Choosing a site in Michigan comes with explicit local support and a coordinated
  network of Michigan state agencies and their partners.

We’re Already Finding and Funding Your Next Sites

The concept behind MI Sites was born from listening to businesses, site selectors and our communities. The call was clear: we need to take the surprises out of choosing and developing properties.

That was the starting point for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and our ongoing partners, Quest Site Solutions. To make sure we were asking the right questions, we brought together some of our utility partners, including DTE Energy, Consumers Energy and Indiana Michigan Power, as well as the Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the State Historic Preservation Office.

Together, we charted the best path for stronger site readiness across Michigan. After a year-long pilot program, MI Sites celebrated an inaugural class of eight sites, as well as one graduate that was picked up by an end user. With that, MI Sites was ready for the world.

To make sure communities have all the resources they need to progress through MI Sites, we also launched the parallel Michigan Ready Sites Program. This $15 million grant program allows site owners to take the requirements and recommendations of MI Sites and hire assistance, including consultants, engineering firms and other development specialists.

Graduates:

• Advanced Manufacturing District of Genesee County, Mundy Township
• Ecorse and Belleville, Van Buren Township
• Parmenter Road Industrial Property, Corunna
• Jackson Technology Park North, Blackman Township
• Great Lakes Tech Park, Thomas Township
• College Road Delhi Charter Township Site, Lansing
• MEC SMART Park, Cassopolis
• LAC Site, Erie Township

Michigan is Making Its Best Sites Better

The MI Sites process starts with a clear picture of site status. No applicant makes it through the door without clear documentation for the site and written support from local leaders. Our team goes through infrastructure questionnaires, property maps, surveys, assessments and more to learn important details about the site, including:

• Available and scalable electricity, natural gas, water, sewer and fiber internet
• Roads and rail that can service the property
• Environmental reports, from floodplain maps to soil surveys
• Current zoning and rezoning processes and timeline
• Deeds, options and leases on the property

Building on this desktop detective work, the MI Sites program also includes showing communities how to handle the site selection process. Site owners attend an RFI boot camp with in-person instruction on the best practices for completing detailed site selection requests and executing the development plan for their sites.

After regular follow-ups, we bring the process home with a simulated site visit. This exercise is modeled after an actual project visit and teaches applicants how to showcase their properties and anticipate questions that end-users will have about their site.

Sites and Their Info on a Silver Platter

With all the questions asked, information gathered and training visits performed, sites are sorted into three tiers of readiness:

• Bronze tier: Sites start with at least 25 available acres, pricing, a due diligence checklist and maps on zoning, boundaries, taxes and transportation. These sites not only meet the lofty minimum expectations of our investment-ready sites, but owners have also performed baseline studies. These include a review of the National Wetlands Inventory and the National Fish and Wildlife Services IPaC report. Additionally, utility providers conduct an in-depth analysis of the site’s current state, then look at potential uses and provide the cost and timing of necessary improvements.
• Silver tier: The second tier requirements go deeper. You’ll find cost and schedule estimates for transportation improvements, Phase 1 ESAs, wetlands delineations, desktop archaeological analysis and more. MI Sites also requires that the title report, ALTA Survey and topographic survey are complete.
• Gold tier: The highest level of readiness, this tier includes control or ownership by an eligible applicant, zoning for industrial uses, engineering plans for transportation and utility improvements, extensive environmental due diligence and remediation plans for any issues found on the site that haven’t been already addressed.

Once a site has its classification, the owners work directly with the MI Sites program on a tailored path toward improved readiness and higher tiers. Communities can lean on MI Sites for technical assistance and the Michigan Ready Sites Program for funding aid as the requirements become more and more complex.

These site classifications only last for a maximum of three years, and all this information is readily available online. This means that when you’re browsing MI Sites locations, there’s no wading through unsuitable listings and outdated information. Searches let you pinpoint locations and visualize data based on acreage, power, rail access, water capacity, zoning, supply chains, talent pools and more.

It’s Time to Make it In Michigan

This MI Sites process is a mighty first step on the path to success in Michigan. When you tap into our economy, you’ll find that our efficient and effective site selection process is a reflection of how we do business here.

You get the full force of our support, from our government agencies, regional economic development organizations, utility providers, higher education and local communities. Team Michigan is ready to usher you through permitting and regulatory processes, state and local incentives, talent programs and supplier introductions.

This teamwork is possible because, at its heart, MI Sites is a program for community empowerment. And by giving communities the tools to succeed and support Michiganders, we’re creating environments where companies don’t just arrive at a site, they’re welcomed by the community and supported from day one.

Welcome to the Land with the Answers

Michigan offers a streamlined path to market in a state that knows business and has your back. Explore the MI Sites portfolio at https://www.michiganbusiness.org/mi-sites-program/, see the groundwork and envision your company’s future on Michigan soil.
We’ve prepared the sites and rolled out the red carpet. Michigan’s not just open for business – we’re ready for it.