Governor Whitmer Expands Brownfield Program to Boost Michigan Economy and Housing

LANSING, Mich.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed three bipartisan bills designed to expand local abatement and transformational brownfield programs, enabling more businesses and communities across Michigan to rehabilitate blighted sites into thriving spaces. This legislative action aims to foster economic growth, create affordable housing, and deliver on promises made in her 2026 State of the State Address.

The newly signed legislation includes Senate Bill 723, sponsored by Senator Sarah Anthony, which expands the transformational brownfield program, enhances transparency, and prioritizes affordable housing projects while streamlining the redevelopment process. Additionally, Senate Bills 721 and 722, sponsored by Senator Jeremy Moss, extend the sunset provisions for the Commercial Redevelopment and Commercial Rehabilitation acts, ensuring these programs continue to incentivize commercial property refurbishment at local discretion.

Governor Whitmer emphasized the impact, saying, “Together, we’re making communities across Michigan even better places to live, work, and invest.” She added that the bills will "transform abandoned or blighted sites into affordable homes and thriving commercial spaces, all while creating new, good-paying jobs and boosting our economy." Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield and Muskegon Mayor Kenneth Johnson also lauded the bills, highlighting their importance for continued growth, job creation, and improved quality of life in their respective cities.

Further support came from Tom Lutz of the Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters, who said these tools mean "more good-paying union jobs in construction today and stronger local economies for years to come." Jeff Donofrio of Business Leaders For Michigan noted that expanding the program provides "an important tool to bring those places back to life while strengthening the tax base." These measures reinforce Michigan's commitment to revitalizing communities and attracting private investment, supporting the state's ongoing efforts to grow its population and economy.