Washtenaw Community College Letter of Support for Michigan HB 5031
Summary
A letter from the Office of the President of Washtenaw Community College to the Michigan House of Representatives, dated February 17, 2026, supporting House Bill 5031. The letter states that HB 5031 would authorize the renewal and continuation of Technology Improvement Financing (TIF) through Michigan's SmartZone program. It describes the college as rooted in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and central to educating the region's business leaders and professionals, and says the SmartZone program supports business creation, experiential learning, internships and talent retention. The letter states that the college supports HB 5031 and advocates for its passage, and it mentions continued partnership with Ann Arbor SPARK. It closes with the signature block of the college's president.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Washtenaw Community College Letter of Support for Michigan HB 5031.”
Original at www.house.mi.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/committee-8aad7e90244f747c/
, SHA-256 9ef03044cab2c258e7602b4e093eea1e3f69e94e69ae389eeb2db036cbc491f0.Full text
© ¢-~, Washtenaw VY; Community College Office of the President Michigan House of Representatives PO Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514 February 17, 2026 Support for Michigan HB 5031 Dear Members of the Michigan House of Representatives, On behalf of Washtenaw Community College, | am writing to express our 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 vital to sustaining innovation-driven economic development and workforce preparation throughout our the region. As a public college deeply rooted in both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, WCC plays a central role in educating the region's current and future business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. The SmartZone program directly complements this mission by strengthening the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting business creation and growth, and expanding opportunities for experiential learning, internships, and talent retention for our students. Renewal of SmartZone TIF authority through HB 5031 would allow WCC to continue investing in programs and partnerships that connect emerging companies with university talent, research expertise, and business support services. These investments help ensure that graduates of WCC can pursue meaningful career opportunities locally while contributing to the region’s long-term economic vitality. We have seen how SmartZone-supported initiatives encourage collaboration among higher education, local government, and the private sector—an alignment that is essential for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Continued SmartZone funding will help our region remain competitive in attracting innovative companies, supporting small businesses, and preparing a skilled workforce ready to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving economy. Washtenaw Community College supports HB 5031 and advocates for its passage. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Ann Arbor SPARK and our regional stakeholders to advance innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity for our students and community. Sincerely, Rose B. Bellanca, Ed.D. President Ann Arbor, Michigan Student Center 219 Phone: 734-973-3491 Fax: 734-677-5491 4800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105-4800 ° www.wecnet.edu
File and source
- File
- 2026-02-19_testimony_hb-5031-rose-bellanca-washtenaw-community-college_62964.pdf
- Size
- 2,391,646 bytes
- SHA-256
- 9ef03044cab2c258e7602b4e093eea1e3f69e94e69ae389eeb2db036cbc491f0
- Original
- www.house.mi.gov