Next Michigan Development

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

In 2007, after 30 months of research, study, and data-gathering, Wayne County, with several other local governments, authored and championed Next Michigan Development Corporation (NMDC) legislation. In December 2010, the Governor signed into a law several bills amending the existing Michigan economic development programs. These statutes now enable NMDC with legal and administrative powers to plan and implement regional strategies designed to support the activities of public-private economic development partnerships. The law now permits qualified Michigan development initiatives to more effectively compete on a national and global basis and are applicable anywhere in the state. These corporations have the tools to foster prosperity through the attraction of new and diversified investment, promote the creation of high-skill/high-wage jobs and increase secondary economic growth. Two or more local nits of government, at least one of which must be a county, can form an NMDC using Michigan’s Urban Cooperation Act. Through interlocal agreements, the NMDC can jointly exercise economic development powers to attract eligible Next Michigan Development businesses. Entities seeking NMDC authority status and benefits must receive approval from the Governor and the Michigan Strategic fund Board. Counties, cities, villages, townships, and charter townships are eligible to participate as well.