We help craft competitive grant and loan applications for public and private funding—supporting infrastructure, commercial and industrial development, brownfield redevelopment, workforce housing, and more—and offer administration for select grants.
We monitor and manage site opportunities across our four-county service area. As your local and regional navigator, we can help connect you to site opportunities that meet your location, space, and infrastructure needs.
Financial incentives exist to encourage business location and expansion. Our team is experienced in providing support applying for and navigating the process for tax abatements, tax credits, opportunity zones, and other incentives for infrastructure and development.
Development is local. We serve as an important bridge between the public and private sector to help navigate local development and siting questions or hurdles you may encounter.
We gather and analyze regional data to help you strategize, shape your project, or make the case for expansion and growth. Data support can help strengthen your application for funding and incentives, and demonstrate the economic and community impact of your project.
NLEA helped the City of East Jordan identify funding to invest in significant infrastructure upgrades to support downtown revitalization. NLEA also administered two Community Development Block Grants for the City, including for $3.1M to improve water, sewer, storm infrastructure and construct a new water tank, and $2.5M for a placemaking project called Joining Jordan to create a pedestrian boardwalk with pavilions and a fishing deck.
In downtown Cheboygan (2018) and Tuscarora Township (2024), the NLEA helped establish Commercial Rehabilitation Districts (CRD) which offers new and existing property owners the opportunity to apply for a tax abatement incentive for up to 10 years for new construction and rehabilitation on their properties. NLEA provided community training on tax abatements and helped both local units of government navigate the steps of establishing a district. Since establishment, both projects have led to more than $10M in new private investment, created new full-time and construction jobs, and sparked revitalization of the beloved commercial corridors.
“I wanted to thank you again for your patience and assistance throughout the grant process, I didn’t realize when we started how much work it would be to get through all of the different stages of the application, your help was very much appreciated, and I don’t think I could have navigated it without your help.” – Ron Way, Way Building Contractors, Inc. (Owner of Van Pelt project)
Contact our Sr. Program Manager, Community Investment, Jessica Lovay to learn about how NLEA can help your community and local government thrive in the Northern Michigan area!
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