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Letter — Mayor Christopher Taylor, City of Ann Arbor, on House Bill 5031 (January 30, 2026)

Summary

This is a letter dated January 30, 2026, from the Office of Mayor Christopher Taylor, City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, to the Michigan House Economic Competitiveness Committee, Re: Support for House Bill 5031 (HB5031). The letter states strong support for the bill, which would authorize the renewal and continuation of Technology Improvement Financing (TIF) through Michigan's SmartZone program. It says that for more than two decades SmartZones have played a vital role in strengthening Michigan's innovation economy, and that Ann Arbor SPARK stands ready to continue partnering with the City of Ann Arbor.

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“Letter — Mayor Christopher Taylor, City of Ann Arbor, on House Bill 5031 (January 30, 2026).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2026-02-19-testimony-hb-5031-christopher-taylor-city-of-ann-arbor-6294-888973b1c5/, SHA-256 9a422f3099acb32c6bc1ddcc0deaa875eced4b4bba393e823a2a4aae5fc00ac3.

Full text

                                 CITY OF ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
                             301 East Huron St., P.O. Box 8647, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107
                                            Phone 734.794.6161 ext. 41602
                                                  http://www.a2gov.org
                                         Office of Mayor Christopher Taylor


January 30, 2026

Michigan House Economic Competitiveness Committee
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909

Re: Support for House Bill 5031 (HB5031)

Dear Members of the House Committee on Economic Competitiveness:

On behalf of the Ann Arbor community, I am writing to express strong support for House Bill
5031, which would authorize the renewal and continuation of Technology Improvement
Financing (TIF) through Michigan’s SmartZone program. This legislation is critically
important to communities like Ann Arbor that are actively working to foster innovation, support
entrepreneurs, and grow high-wage, knowledge-based jobs.

For more than two decades, SmartZones have played a vital role in strengthening Michigan’s
innovation economy. Through the strategic use of TIF revenues, SmartZones have enabled
investments in business acceleration services, talent development, commercialization support,
and infrastructure necessary to help startups and second-stage companies succeed. The results
are clear: stronger local economies, increased private investment, and expanded opportunities for
residents and businesses alike.

Ann Arbor’s participation in the SmartZone program has been an important component of
regional economic development efforts in Washtenaw County. Renewal of SmartZone TIF
authority through HB 5031 would allow Ann Arbor to continue leveraging this proven tool to
support entrepreneurship, attract and retain innovative companies, and collaborate with regional
partners to drive inclusive economic growth.

Ann Arbor SPARK has witnessed how SmartZone resources strengthen the broader
entrepreneurial ecosystem by aligning local, regional, and state-level efforts. Continued
SmartZone funding will ensure that communities like Ann Arbor remain competitive, resilient,
and well-positioned to support emerging industries and technologies.




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We respectfully support HB 5031 and advocate for its passage. Ann Arbor SPARK stands ready
to continue partnering with the City of Ann Arbor and other stakeholders to maximize the impact
of SmartZone investments for residents, businesses, and the regional economy.

Thank you for your leadership and your ongoing commitment to economic development in Ann
Arbor. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide additional information or support.

Sincerely,



Christopher Taylor
Mayor of the City of Ann Arbor




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