GCBRA BylawsThe Genesee County Board of Commissioners established the Genesee County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (GCBRA) in 2001 under the authority of the Michigan Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act (PA 381 of 1996, as amended). The authority provides a mechanism to support the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields - properties that are, or perceived to be, environmentally contaminated, owned or under the control of a Land Bank Authority, or blighted and functionally obsolete and located in a Core Community (the City of Flint, City of Burton, Flint Township, Mt. Morris, Mt. Morris Township and Genesee Township within Genesee County). Under the authority of the act, any local unit of government may create a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to enable a public, private or non-profit developer to prepare a brownfield redevelopment financing plan. The plan enables the GCBRA to:
1.Capture increases in property tax revenues generated by the redevelopment to reimburse eligible activity costs
2.Use captured tax increment revenues to finance a local site remediation revolving fund to support the cleanup of other eligible brownfield sites
3.Provide eligibility for single business tax (SBT) credit to taxpayer/lessees for their investments on the eligible site
4.Issue brownfield redevelopment authority bonds to front the costs of brownfield eligible activities associated with a redevelopment project
In addition to providing the above mentioned benefits under PA 381, the GCBRA provides support to the following programs:
U.S. EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan FundThe EPA is in the process of awarding the county $2,000,000 to establish a Genesee County/City of Flint Coalition Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund to provide loans for cleanup to qualified public and private applicants. A member of the GCBRA serves on the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Management Team along with representatives from the City of Flint, the Genesee County Treasurer’s Office, and the Genesee County Land Bank.
U.S. EPA Site Assessment GrantThe EPA has awarded the LBA a total of $600,000 to complete environmental assessments on brownfield sites owned by the Genesee County Land Bank. The GCBRA directly supports the implementation of the grant program.
U.S. EPA Clean-up GrantThe U.S. EPA awarded the Land Bank $200,000 to clean up the 4.4 acre Spring Grove site and convert it to a nature center & community garden.
| GCBRA Board of Directors and Staff | Top |
(To send an e-mail click on any name below.) | District |
Member Name |
Exp. Date |
| 1 |
Yarber, Rev. Kim |
9/25/08 |
| 2 |
Carson, Russell |
9/25/07 |
| 3 |
Petrella, Larry |
9/25/09 |
| 4 |
Schlott, Stephen C |
9/25/09 |
| 5 |
Fellers, Edward (Ned) |
9/25/08 |
| 6 |
Vacant |
9/25/08 |
| 7 |
Hatter, Henry |
9/25/09 |
| 8 |
Gembel, Ken J. |
9/25/07 |
| 9 |
Winiarski, William |
9/25/07 |
| Staff |
Kelly, Christina |
--/--/-- |
| Staff |
James, Lucille |
--/--/-- |
The County Board of Commissioners (BOC) established the GCBRA by resolution in May, 2001. The nine appointed board members meet monthly to review projects and implement GCBRA project activities. The GCBRA enacted Bylaws and a countywide Brownfield Plan and developed several organizational and administrative documents to facilitate the brownfield plan application and review process. Building the organizational and administrative capacity of the authority has enabled the GCBRA to successfully implement several projects. As of March 2005, the GCBRA has accomplished the following:
Implemented the Land Bank Brownfield PlanIn January of 2004, the State of Michigan approved revisions to the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act, Public Act 381 of 1996, expanding the definition of an “Eligible Property” to include: all parcels owned or under the control of a Land Bank. Under the authority of this new legislation, the Genesee County Land Bank Authority (LBA) worked with the GCBRA to develop a Brownfield Plan that includes 2,000 LBA owned properties. The GCBRA will use brownfield tax increment revenues (TIRs) to reimburse investments made in brownfield eligible activities (including demolition, lead and asbestos abatement, title clearance, site preparation, and environmental assessments and activities). This Brownfield Plan is a key component of a larger LBA strategy to improve neighborhoods and industrial/commercial areas throughout the county.
Issued a $5,000,000 County Brownfield Bond In order to front the costs associated with the Land Bank Brownfield Plan, the Genesee County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority issued a $5,000,000 brownfield bond to be reimbursed with TIRs generated from the redevelopment and sale of marketable properties among the 2,000 LBA properties that are currently off the tax rolls.
The Bond, supported by brownfield TIR, enables the LBA to expand its demolition program to communities with eligible tax reverted properties throughout the county. The Brownfield Plan creates an opportunity for the LBA and the GCBRA to work with local communities to bring tax foreclosed properties back into productive use. Communities will benefit from the elimination of blight, property improvements, and increased property values.
Provided Single Business Tax Credit eligibility to support the Land Bank Center redevelopmentThe GCBRA approved an SBT credit application for the Genesee County Land Bank Center, located at 425 S. Saginaw St. in downtown Flint, MI (formerly the Hughes Hatcher Building). The property was acquired by the Genesee County Land Bank through the tax foreclosure process. Because of the unique character and location of this building the Land Bank decided to serve as the developer for this building with the intention of providing catalytic support for a resurgence of downtown development. The SBT credit will help make financing feasible for the redevelopment project.
When completed, the project will bring to life a downtown property that has been vacant for more than twenty years. More than 3,000 square feet of retail /commercial space will be activated. Office space accommodating 20 to 30 employees will be added to this site as well as seven live/work loft spaces. The building, when completed, will fill what was a vacuum on a key downtown site with activities that will add to the 24/7 character necessary for new downtown redevelopment.
Assists with the Implementation of U.S EPA Brownfield Grant ProgramsThe GCBRA supported the LBA in the preparation of two EPA brownfield grant applications. The county was awarded $200,000 to complete environmental site assessments on LBA owned properties and $2,000,000 to establish a Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund in cooperation with the City of Flint. The GCBRA will play an active role in the implementation of both grants.
Brownfield Redevelopment Program Accomplishments| GCBRA Planned Activities | Top |
The GCBRA is in the process of developing a strategic plan to help direct developers to high priority brownfield sites located throughout the county. The University of Michigan, Department of Urban and Regional Planning is helping the GCBRA jump start this process by identifying and prioritizing key brownfield properties in priority redevelopment areas throughout the county. The final product will include a plan with maps and recommendations to support the redevelopment of high priority brownfield sites. The GCBRA will use this plan as the foundation for a formal GCBRA strategy.
With a strategic plan and dedicated staff, the GCBRA plans to accomplish the following goals:
1.Acquire more information about brownfields in the county
2.Play a more active role in marketing brownfield incentives to developers and financial institutions
3.Increase local government support for the GCBRA. Four local units of government have passed resolutions in support of the GCBRA. The GCBRA hopes to encourage all local governments in the county to pass a resolution of support for the GCBRA
4.Publish a quarterly newsletter to provide updates on GCBRA activities
5.Develop a web page to provide access to information about the GCBRA programs, applications, incentives, and priority brownfield sites
6.Work more closely with local BRAs and economic development organizations throughout the county to promote the re-use of brownfield sites
| GCBRA Financial Tools And Incentives | Top |
Brownfield Financing Presentation1. Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF)What Is It?
Capture of increases in property tax revenues on eligible property to pay for costs of eligible activities.
How Does It Work?
A Brownfield Authority may 1). capture new property tax revenues generated by development of eligible property, and 2.) use captured funds to reimburse for costs of eligible activities.
Who Is Eligible?
Project activities can only be reimbursed if the Authority’s Brownfield Plan has been approved by the community’s governing body.
What Are The Incentives?
A Brownfield Authority TIF provides for reimbursement to parties who incurred eligible expenses. Multiple taxing jurisdictions participate, and local funding resources are created.
Application and Related Documents:
Tax Capture Table Brownfield Plan Approval ProcessBrownfield Plan Application FormTIF Fact SheetWhat Is It?
A financial credit, against the Michigan business tax that a business may pay.
How Does It Work?
A MBT Credit Project Pre-approval Application is submitted to Michigan Department of Treasury/ Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for up to 12.5 percent of eligible investments made on eligible property.
Who Is Eligible?
Any eligible taxpayer/lessee of eligible property within a Brownfield Authority community may claim a credit for eligible investments on eligible property.
What Are The Incentives?
The MBT Credit provides a significant financial incentive for developers and investors of eligible property.
A complete list of financial incentives available through the State of Michigan is available on the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's website.
Application and Related Documents:
Tax Capture TableBrownfield Plan Approval ProcessBrownfield Plan Application FormThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the County a $2,000,000 grant to capitalize a City of Flint/Genesee County Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF). The fund provides below-market rate loans to cleanup contamination from hazardous substances on properties so they can be returned to productive use. Borrowers can not be responsible for contamination on the site; they must own the property and have the ability to re-pay the loan. Repayment terms are negotiated on a project by project basis and portions of the loan may be “forgivable” based on the project and/or borrower. Borrowers may be eligible to use Brownfield tax increment revenues captured from the property to repay the loan. To learn more about how to use BRLF loan funds combined with Brownfield TIF to cleanup a property in Flint or Genesee County, contact Christina Kelly at 810-257-2088 ext. 527.
Application and Related Documents:
BRLF EligibilityBRLF Application FormBRLF Check ListBRLF Fact Sheet
