History of the Program

Economic developers have long recognized the need for uniformity in use of the term "industrial park." The expression designates certain kinds of districts or subdivision set-aside for sites to be occupied by groups of industrial facilities. However, areas designated by the name range from the highly sophisticated, organized industrial district to the isolated cornfield completely lacking in basic services and amenities.

To give prospective occupants a better idea of what they can expect to find in an industrial park and assures them of high quality characteristics and services, the Michigan Department of Commerce and the Michigan Industrial Developers Association, in 1969, adopted a set of standards for qualified developments to be known as "Certified Industrial Parks."

Using criteria established by the Michigan Industrial Developers Association (now known as the Michigan Economic Developers Association {MEDA}) and the State department now known as the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), developed a voluntary program for certifying industrial parks. This program today is known as the Michigan Certified Business Park Program

Park developers throughout Michigan use the Certified Business Park standards in the design of parks and work toward achieving certification. Prospects will find that a Certified Business Park offers specific advantages that are not available in other parks.

Certified Business Parks may be eligible to use tax increment financing from the Local Development Finance Authority to acquire land to be used in the development of eligible property.  Proceeds from the sale of land acquired with tax increment revenue may be retained for purposes of the plan, if the property is located in a Certified Business Park at the time of sale.  In addition, the new Certified Business Parks will be marketed by the State.

Recent Enhancements
After holding a series of focus groups with Certified Business Park owners and operators throughout 2006 and 2007, the Michigan Economic Developers Association has enhanced the program to better meet the needs of the park owners and operators by understanding their need for improved marketing and communication from certification.

Quick Links
Application Form
Benefits of Certification
Definitions/Covenants
Fee Structure Form
Join the Program
Recertification
Questionnaire
Why Locate in a CBP?

Laws
Information on PA 281 of 1986 (includes updates from PA 249 of 2000)

Department of Treasury FAQ’s about Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

Citizens Research Council of Michigan explains the LDFA