Michigan House Economic Competitiveness Committee — Letter, February 3, 2026

Summary

This is a letter dated February 3, 2026, to the Michigan House Economic Competitiveness Committee from the Michigan State University Research Foundation and its subsidiary companies, including Spartan Innovations, Red Cedar Ventures, Michigan Rise and UCRP I. The letter expresses support for House Bill 5031 and says HB 5031 updates the Recodified Tax Increment Financing Act to expand and clarify the tools available to local development financing authorities. It states that the MSU Research Foundation has invested millions of dollars over the past 10 years in Greater Lansing and across the state. The signature block lists David Washburn, Jeff Wesley and Jeffrey J. Smith.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 84991945-73F7-4F1C-B10B-D22F2B0E0B15




             February 3, 2026


             Michigan House Economic Competitiveness Committee
             Anderson House Office Building
             124 North Capitol Avenue
             Lansing, MI 48933

             Dear Members of the Michigan House Economic Competitiveness Committee,

             On behalf of the Michigan State University Research Foundation and our subsidiary companies
             including Spartan Innovations, Red Cedar Ventures, Michigan Rise and our real estate company UCRP I,
             we are writing to express our support for House Bill 5031. This legislation represents an important step
             forward in strengthening Michigan’s ability to grow high-technology businesses and innovation-driven
             employers.

             HB 5031 updates the Recodified Tax Increment Financing Act to expand and clarify the tools available to
             local development financing authorities. Specifically, allowing existing SmartZones to extend their tax
             capture for an additional 15 years. These changes will provide communities like ours in Greater Lansing
             with the long-term stability needed to support job creation, entrepreneurial growth, and strategic
             investment in Michigan’s innovation economy.

             In Greater Lansing and across the state where the MSU Research Foundation has invested millions of
             dollars over the past 10 years, this bill enables the local regions to continue to provide essential support
             for leveraging existing assets, fostering public-private partnerships, and catalyzing new economic
             opportunities including high-tech, high-growth entrepreneurship programming. The bill also includes
             clear definitions and appropriate safeguards to ensure that tax increment capture remains tied to
             meaningful, measurable public benefit and local accountability.

             We urge your support for HB 5031 and encourage its passage in the Michigan Legislature. Its impact will
             be significant for communities working to compete in future-facing and technology-driven sectors while
             strengthening Michigan’s overall economic resilience.

             Thank you for your leadership and consideration. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how HB 5031
             can support economic development in our area.

             Sincerely,




              David Washburn                    Jeff Wesley                               Jeffrey J. Smith
              Chief Executive Officer           Executive Director of Ventures            Director, Research Parks


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