Letter — Paul Moore, Start Garden, on House Bill 5031 (February 16, 2026)

Summary

This is a letter dated February 16, 2026, to Representative Mike Hoadley and members of the House Committee on Economic Competitiveness, in support of 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. The author describes leading Start Garden in Grand Rapids, an organization that has served entrepreneurs since 2012. The letter closes with the name Paul Moore, Executive Director, Start Garden.

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     February 16, 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 in support of House Bill 5031, sponsored by Representative Ron Robinson.
     This bill would allow regional local development nance authorities that oversee
     SmartZones to establish a one-time 15-year extension to the existing tax capture — a
     straightforward measure that would strengthen Michigan's ability to grow competitive
     businesses.

     I lead Start Garden in Grand Rapids, an organization that has served entrepreneurs
     since 2012. We exist to be the rst stop on a founder's journey — a transformative step
     into a new venture and a new life. Founders who walked through our doors with only
     an idea have gone on to sell companies for hundreds of millions of dollars and create
     more than a thousand jobs.

     In their rst years, though, these founders didn't look any di erent from anyone else.
     Their companies rose and fell in ways too small for traditional economic development
     to notice, but were massive storm swells to the founders and their families. Our
     organization was their home, in a quite literal way, during those early days.

     Organizations like Start Garden exist in every city. We call ourselves Ecosystem
     Builders because our work is to maintain the conditions of a highly connected and
     supportive community for new entrepreneurs — to catch them at the beginning and
     connect them to their rst team, rst investors, and rst customers, so we keep them in
     our communities.

     My Ecosystem Builder colleagues around the country envy Michigan's SmartZones,
     and the foresight of our state to ensure the lights stay on and doors stay open for when
     an aspiring entrepreneur takes their shot. SmartZones are an essential piece of the
     puzzle that brings daily value to new business owners in our communities.

     Sincerely,




     Paul Moore Executive Director, Start Garden




                                            2 Fulton St. W | Grand Rapids, MI 49503




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