Program Targets Enhanced Industrial Development Opportunities in Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties

LANSING, Mich. (March 6, 2024) — The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is excited to announce the Lansing Regional Site Readiness (LRSR) grant program. This opportunity is made possible thanks to funding from the statewide Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The LRSR program is designed to support the state’s efforts to compete and win transformative advanced manufacturing projects that need a locally robust inventory of investment-ready sites. This will increase the opportunity for LEAP’s business attraction and expansion efforts throughout the three-county Lansing region. 

“With LEAP managing historic levels of re-shored advanced manufacturing projects, the state and the Lansing region do not have enough adequate buildings or properly prepared industrial sites. We need to make sure that our country can grow back its advanced manufacturing prowess to ensure that our country is not overly dependent on unreliable overseas forces. We require viable, prepared places to establish ourselves as the electric vehicle and semiconductor capital of North America. This grant will help with pre-site preparation and community engagement,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO at LEAP (left). 

“We are excited to be working closely with LEAP to advance sites as a key business attraction and development tool in Michigan. Since the establishment of the strategic site readiness program in late 2021, the MEDC has worked collaboratively with local, regional and energy partners to progress investment-ready sites to compete and win projects in Michigan, and site certification efforts are vital to our collective success,” said Terri Fitzpatrick, senior real estate advisor at the MEDC. 

While primarily focused on local government and quasi-public entities that are not-for-profit and have community or economic development contained within their organizational missions, the LRSR grant program is open to private, for-profit entities and individuals as well. To be eligible, a proposed site for a site readiness grant project must be located in Clinton, Eaton, or Ingham County. Eligible sites are intended to be vacant land with commercial or industrial zoning currently in place, in future land use plans, or otherwise viable. An existing building site readiness project may be eligible in a reuse or redevelopment scenario in which due diligence, site preparation or infrastructure planning costs hinder reuse or redevelopment occurring. 

Program Timeline and Key Dates:

• Announcement & Applications Open: March 6, 2024
• Applications Due: May 31, 2024 at 5pm
• Award Announcements: Late June, 2024 

For consideration, applicants must demonstrate future land or building use with a high likelihood of a near-term development on the site within a 1-3 year period. Applications including supplemental documentation such as proposals, bids, or quotes will be more competitive in consideration. The applicant must be capable of grant project completion by the end of March 2026 and provide a thorough project timeline and budget detailing the expected work to take place. 

Awards will be announced in late June, with disbursement in three stages based on project progress. LEAP emphasizes the importance of thoughtful applications and encourages interested parties to take the time to build out their proposals completely for submission by the deadline. 

"Opportunities of this magnitude are rare, and the Lansing region has a chance to seize it with both hands," exclaimed Keith Lambert, chief operating officer at LEAP. "By providing great sites and buildings of all sizes and types, we can derisk the investment decision for companies looking to create high-wage jobs and invest in the region's technology manufacturing reshoring movement. We are grateful for our critical partner, MEDC, whose support and funding have made this program possible." 

To learn more and apply, please visit LEAP's website at www.purelansing.com/sitereadinessgrants. 

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