The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is awarding brownfield funding to projects that will create business incubators in Oakland and St. Clair counties.
Incubators are places where new companies and new ideas can get off the ground and are crucial engines to economic growth. These two projects are expected to draw a combined $8.6 million in capital investment and up to 140 new jobs.
The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance Business Center, located at 1500 3rd Street in Port Huron, was awarded a $750,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Grant. The site hosted a machine shop, coal company, and railroad operations, but has been vacant since 1999.
The property is contaminated with metals and solvents. The grant money will pay for investigations to determine which soil is contaminated and if a vapor mitigation system is necessary. It will also pay for the system if one is needed.
The redevelopment plans call for a 12,000-square-foot building that will be home to the county’s business incubator. The 20 companies in the current incubator are expected to move to the new Business Center. The project is expected to generate $5.1 million in capital investment and 125 new jobs.
St. Clair County is contributing a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant and a $20,000 site assessment grant. The new St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance Business Center is scheduled to be finished by August 2024.
