Leaders in Saint Joseph will be talking about a new kind of development incentive at a public hearing later this spring. On Monday, the city commission was told about possible plans to set up a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone downtown. City Manager Frank Walsh says that it’s a program that allows for certain residents to get a substantial break on their property taxes:
He said the benefit here might be that more full-time residents would be attracted to the downtown area.
An N-E-Z also allows for breaks on some building rehabilitation projects. The proposal to be discussed at an upcoming public hearing would follow the perimeters of the Downtown Development Authority, and those who wish to apply for its benefits would have to come before the city commission. Walsh says that 25 other communities in Michigan have N-E-Zs, including Holland, so it may be in Saint Joe’s best interests to set up one up, as well. Representatives from local developers and their attorneys will be on hand at the hearing, which is scheduled for April 26th at six PM.
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Dave Sanders
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