January 15, 2013 Key Contact: Village Manager Oliver Turner

1. Village of AlmontApplication to the Next Michigan Development Corporation Requesting a Renaissance Zone Designation January 15, 2013 Key Contact: Village Manager Oliver Turner 817 N. Main; Almont, MI 48003 810-798-8528

2. Application Overview Page 3 • “The Almont Experience” Pages 4 -5 • Size of Proposed Renaissance Zone and Infrastructure Capacity Page 6 • Map of Proposed Zone Pages 7 • Community Support and New Business Activity Page 8 • Adverse Economic and Socio-Economic Conditions Page 9 • Resources to Facilitate Economic Opportunities Page 10 • Anticipated Community Benefits and Improvements Page 11 • Streamlined Permitting Process Page 12 • Multi-Modal Opportunities Page 13 • Property Owner/Real Estate Agent Contact Information Page 14 • Community Planning and Zoning Compatibility Page 15 • Satisfaction of Other Relevant Requirements Page 16 • NMDC Application Form Appendix A • Minutes Containing Council Support of Application Appendix B • Official Resolution of Council Support of Application Appendix C • Section of Comprehensive Plan Referencing NMDC [Reference Page Two] Appendix D • Statistics Regarding Village SEV and Taxable Value Appendix E • Letter of Support from LDC Appendix F Table of Contents

3. Page Three Application Overview The Village of Almont is pleased to submit this application to the Next Michigan Development Corporation. The Village is requesting that a significant portion of its industrial park be designated as a Renaissance Zone in an effort to strengthen the economic infrastructure of the Village and bolster economic growth throughout the jurisdiction of the Next Michigan Development Corporation. The Village of Almont would be an ideal municipality to facilitate business interests which may be generated by the presence of a Renaissance Zone. Indeed, the Village has consistently demonstrated a strong record of facilitating business needs and operates upon the principle that government should be a partner with our stakeholders in cultivating economic growth. As demonstrated on the follow two pages, these efforts are a part of an “Almont Experience” that is unparalleled in its ability to connect businesses with municipal officials and its ability to offer responsive services.

4. Page Four “The Almont Experience” Continued on Next Page

5. Page Five “The Almont Experience”

6. Page Six Size of Proposed Renaissance Zone andInfrastructure Capacity • The proposed zone would encompass 33.01 Acres, which is approximately 51.39% of the entire industrial park. • The total current land value of the proposed zone is approximately $870,372, which is approximately 67.96% of the total current land value of the industrial park. • The proposed Renaissance Zone also includes water, sewer, and storm sewer services. In addition, high speed internet infrastructure within the entire park is projected to be completed and available by the end of 2013. • Finally, the municipal water tower is located directly within the industrial park; this close proximity of the water tower to businesses within the industrial park provides additional reliability in regards to fire suppression capacity and overall service capacity.

7. Page Seven Map of Proposed Zone Larger Map Included at End of Application

8. Page Eight Community Support and New Business Activity • The Almont Village Council has historically and consistently supported economic development efforts within the Village with the recognition that all businesses and residents benefit from a thriving community with a diversified economic base. Examples of previous and unanimous Council support of new business activity includes: • Unanimous approval of a commercial rehabilitation exemption certificate for nearly $200,000 in real property improvements for Vinckier Land Almont, LLC. in 2012; this exemption certificate helped to create forty (40) full and part-time jobs as well as fifteen (15) – twenty (20) construction jobs. • Unanimous approval of a commercial rehabilitation exemption certificate for nearly $200,000 in real property improvements for Bobenal Investments in 2012; this exemption certificate helped to create fifteen (15) full and part-time jobs. • Unanimous approval of an application in 2011 for an industrial facilities tax exemption on $180,577 in personal property for GearMaster; this application helped to create three (3) jobs. • Unanimous approval of an application in 2010 for an industrial facilities tax exemption on $397,600 in personal property for Spring Dynamics; this application helped to create three (3) jobs. • Unanimous approval of an application in 2008 for an industrial facilities tax exemption on $38,177 in personal property for Grabill; this application helped to create twenty (20) jobs. As demonstrated in Appendix B and Appendix C, the Almont Village Council has expressed support for the Renaissance Zone initiative. The completed application to the NMDC is included as Appendix A.

9. Page Nine Adverse Economic and Socio-Economic Conditions • The Village experienced a 39.45% decrease to its State Equalized Valuation and a 22.11% decrease to its Taxable Value between 2006 and 2012 [as evidenced by Appendix E, which was obtained from the official annual budget resolution of the Village]. In conjunction with sharply decreased levels of state revenue sharing funds between 2006 and 2012, these factors have created adverse economic conditions. • While working within these constraints, the Village also is at a competitive disadvantage, due to demographic factors, in regards to applying for Community Development Block Grant funds and other grants. • These factors have constrained the ability of the Village to direct financial resources to larger economic development initiatives.

10. Page Ten Resources to Facilitate Economic Opportunities • The Village of Almont is a member of the Lapeer Development Corporation, a non-profit entity which specializes in the following economic growth activities: • Facilitation of Incentive Packages • Low Interest Loan Financing • Maintaining Property Listings • Business Consulting • Site Selection Assistance • Workforce Training In addition, the Village enjoys partnerships with other community stakeholders such as neighboring political jurisdictions, school districts, and other entities on a variety of initiatives.

11. Page Eleven Anticipated Community Benefits and Improvements • For every 100 jobs added through a Renaissance Zone initiative, it is expected that at least 30 secondary or spin-off jobs would be created [Montgomery Consulting]. • For every one job created as a result of a Renaissance Zone initiative, it is expected that property values within the Village would increase by $1,000 [U.S. Chamber of Commerce]. • Increased water and sewer collections from any additional business may help to reduce water and sewer rates for residents and currently existing businesses. • Aesthetic qualities of the Village would be enhanced if new businesses result in new residents buying foreclosed-upon properties.

12. Page Twelve Streamlined Permitting Process • As demonstrated by the “Almont Experience”, the Village staff consists of highly skilled public officials and inspectors who are adept at balancing the need to fulfill regulatory and ordinance requirements while demonstrating responsiveness and professionalism to entities seeking to invest in the Village. • This professionalism extends from the building department to the Village Office and is strengthened by seasoned public officials who serve on the Almont Village Council, Village Planning Commission, and Village Board of Zoning Appeals.

13. Page Thirteen Multi-Modal Opportunities • Class A roads comprise the transportation infrastructure within the Village’s industrial park and offer direct access to M-53, which bisects the community. • The Village is conveniently located less than 8 miles South of I-69. • The Village is located approximately 10 miles away from rail access which runs between the Cities of Lapeer and Port Huron to the North of the Village. In addition, the Village is located approximately 9 miles away from rail access which runs through the Village of Romeo to its South. • M-53 offers a direct route South from the Village into the metropolitan Detroit region.

14. Page Fourteen List of Property Owners/Real Estate Agents and Parcels Property owners or real estate agents are ultimately responsible for the sale or lease of these parcels. Sales prices may fluctuate depending upon market conditions. Note: Some parcels may not be currently listed for sale or lease but owners may be contacted for parcel-specific information and to initiate a purchase or leasing process.

15. Page Fifteen Community Planning and Zoning Compatibility • Every parcel contained within the proposed Renaissance Zone is zoned industrial, contains excellent public utility infrastructure (including water, sewer, and storm drainage), and is prepared for multi-modal industry investment. • In addition, the Village Master Plan references the Next Michigan Development Corporation as a major initiative [as evidenced within Appendix D], and states that the Village will participate as a member community of the Next Michigan Development Corporation in an effort to maximize collective resources and bolster economic growth throughout the region. • It should be noted that this master plan was entered into jointly with surrounding Almont Township and that the two entities enjoy a strong record of collaboration.

16. Page Sixteen Satisfaction of Relevant Requirements and Considerations • Relevant requirements and consideration satisfied by the Village include: • The proposed Renaissance Zone is entirely located within the territory of the Next Michigan Development Corporation. • The Almont Village Council has expressed support for this initiative. • The Renaissance Zone would be consistent with the I-69 International Trade Corridor Master Design Plan and would adhere to the permitting, zoning, and design standards adopted by the Next Michigan Development Corporation. • The application conforms to the expectations established by Section 5.12 of the Next Michigan Development Corporation inter-local agreement.

17. Appendix A NMDC Application

18. Appendix B Record of Council Support [Minutes]

19. Appendix B Record of Council Support [Minutes]

20. Appendix C Record of Council Support [Resolution]

21. Appendix D Reference of NMDC in Master Plan

22. Appendix E SEV and Taxable Value Statistics

23. Appendix F Letter of Support from LDC