Senate committee hears testimony on Richardville brownfield bills
LANSING - The Senate Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee today heard testimony regarding a bipartisan package that will amend the Brownfield Redeveloping Finance Act to encourage further revitalization of Michigan communities.
Sen. Randy Richardville, sponsor of the legislation, and Jim Tischler of Monroe, testified about the importance of the bills.
"I have worked closely with Sen. Richardville in the past on several economic development issues," said Tischler, who has a background in community and economic development and is currently the community development director for the city of Adrian. "Strengthening Michigan's brownfield laws is vital to our state's economic health, and I look forward to working with Sen. Richardville again to continue to make this program better."
Senate Bills 533-539 will:
* Extend the brownfield act from December 2007 until 2012;
* Streamline the application and review process for projects submitted to a brownfield redevelopment authority; and
* Expand redevelopment opportunities for blighted and functionally obsolete buildings to include non-core communities.
"Redeveloping blighted buildings in more Michigan communities will greatly help our state," said Richardville, R-Monroe. "The brownfield program is important because it provides both economic and environmental benefits for Michigan."
Brownfields are abandoned, idle, or under-used industrial and commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is hindered or complicated by real or perceived environmental conditions. Redevelopment projects may occur on either contaminated or blighted property.
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Editor's note: A photograph of Sen. Richardville and Jim Tischler is available on the Senate Majority Photowire, located at: http://www.MISenateGOP.com/photowire.asp?District=17
Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2007
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