Letter to Chair Representative Mike Hoadley, House Committee on Economic Competitiveness (January 12, 2026)
Summary
This is a letter dated January 12, 2026, to Representative Mike Hoadley and members of the House Committee on Economic Competitiveness, expressing support for House Bill 5031, sponsored by Representative Ron Robinson. The letter says the bill would allow regional local development finance authorities that oversee SmartZones to establish a one-time 15-year extension. It states that in Grand Rapids the SmartZone authority will be impacted next year if the legislation is not passed. The letter closes with the name David LaGrand, Mayor, City of Grand Rapids.
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“Letter to Chair Representative Mike Hoadley, House Committee on Economic Competitiveness (January 12, 2026).”
Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2026-02-19-testimony-hb-5031-david-lagrand-city-of-grand-rapids-62946-b86511fed1/
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January 12, 2026 The Honorable Chair Representative Mike Hoadley, and Members of the House Committee on Economic Competitiveness Michigan House of Representatives P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514 Dear Representative Hoadley, I am writing to express support for House Bill 5031, sponsored by Representative Ron Robinson, to allow regional local development finance authorities that oversee SmartZones to establish a one-time 15-year extension to the existing tax capture. This legislation represents an important step forward in strengthening Michigan’s ability to grow high-technology businesses. HB 5031 updates the Recodified Tax Increment Financing Act to expand and clarify the tools available to local development financing authorities. Specifically, by allowing existing SmartZones to extend their tax capture for an additional 15 years, the City of Grand Rapids can continue to support job creation and help accelerate Michigan’s leadership in technology-driven industries. In Grand Rapids, our SmartZone authority will be impacted next year if this legislation is not passed. This bill provides essential support for leveraging existing assets and catalyzing new economic opportunities. The bill also includes appropriate definitions and safeguards to ensure that tax increment capture is tied to meaningful and measurable public benefit. I enthusiastically urge your immediate consideration and support for HB 5031, with bi-partisan support from members of the House Committee on Economic Competitiveness. Its impact will be significant for the City of Grand Rapids and communities seeking to grow in innovative and future-facing sectors. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how HB 5031 can support economic development in our area and would be happy to come and testify when this bill is brought before the committee for consideration. Sincerely, David LaGrand, Mayor City of Grand Rapids c: Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, Senator Mark Huizenga, Representative John Fitzgerald, Representative Carol Glanville, Representative Phil Skaggs, and Representative Stephen Wooden
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