Support for House Bill 5031 from the Michigan State University Innovation Center

Summary

A letter dated February 3, 2026 to the Michigan House Economic Competitiveness Committee from the Associate Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development of the Michigan State University Innovation Center, supporting House Bill 5031. It states that the bill will provide continuity for regional innovation ecosystems by allowing existing SmartZones to extend their tax increment financing authority. The letter describes the Innovation Center, launched in 2012, as moving federally funded research discoveries from concept to societal impact, and says its team shepherds more than 190 new discoveries each year. It describes the Lansing Regional SmartZone as providing infrastructure, programming and regional coordination for commercialization, and warns that failure of the legislation would mean a loss of momentum. The letter is 2 pages.

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

Full text

MILMICAN SLE | Immovatiom Center

UNIVER SI

To: Michigan House Economic Competitiveness Committee
Anderson House Office Building
Lansing, MI 48933

February 3, 2026
Subject: HB 5031
Members of the Michigan House Economic Competitiveness Committee,

| write to express strong support for House Bill 5031 on behalf of the Michigan
State University Innovation Center.

The MSU Innovation Center brings together corporate engagement, technology
transfer, startup support, and strategic partnerships to move federally funded
research discoveries from concept to societal impact. As we launched the
Innovation Center in 2012, we forged partnerships with our surrounding
communities to create an ecosystem that would nurture the development and
growth of the companies that we spin out of the university. In the East Lansing
and Lansing region, the SmartZone has emerged as the critical partner in creating
MSU Innovation __ that receptive, entrepreneurial ecosystem. Working together, we are connecting

Center MSU’s intellectual and technical assets with entrepreneurs, investors, and

community stakeholders, strengthening our ability to translate research into
325 East Grand RiverAve | Economic opportunity and reinforcing Michigan’s competitiveness in technology

Suite 375 . . :
East Lansing, Ml 48823 driven industries.

Charles A. Hasemann, PhD ‘Nn my many years of service on the SmartZone LDFA Board, | have seen firsthand
Assoc. VP for Innovation the impact these programs have had across our region, from supporting early-
& Economic Development : . .
stage companies to strengthening connections between MSU researchers and the
VOICE: (517) 884-2370 private sector. | have also seen the significant potential for even greater impact in
EMAIL: hasemani@.msu.edu . .
the years ahead as these partnerships continue to strengthen and our programs
continue to evolve.

Each year, our MSU Innovation Center team shepherds more than 190 new
discoveries on the path to commercial impact — many emerging as startup
ventures. The Lansing Regional SmartZone plays a critical role in this process;
providing the community-based infrastructure, programming, and regional
coordination needed to move technologies through the full commercialization
pathway, from academic discovery to market ready products. This activity

Web: InnovationCenter.msu.edu @MSU_Innovation Page 1 of 2
helps to ensure Michigan’s investments result in new companies, high quality jobs, and long-
term economic value for our communities.

House Bill 5031 will provide continuity and stability for Michigan’s regional innovation
ecosystems by allowing existing SmartZones to extend their tax increment financing authority.
This legislation will help communities continue to leverage their research institutions, innovation
assets, and regional partnerships to drive inclusive and sustainable economic development.

Speaking from the perspective of a long-time board member for the Lansing Regional
SmartZone, and as the person responsible for converting MSU’s research excellence into
economic value, | will say that we are just now hitting our stride and developing a best-in-class
ecosystem in the State of Michigan. MSU, the MSU Research Foundation, LEAP, the LDFA, and
the cities of Lansing and East Lansing are excellent collaborators — revolutionizing our region in
ways | only dreamed of when we started down this path. Should this legislation fail, we will
certainly suffer a loss of momentum that will be difficult to restore. For the Mid-Michigan
region, and for the entire state of Michigan, | strongly advocate for this legislation and the good
that it will deliver to the citizens of Michigan. For these reasons, | respectfully urge your
support.

Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to Michigan’s innovation
economy.

Ce |

Charles A. Hasemann, Ph.D.

Associate Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development
MSU Innovation Center

Michigan State University

Web: InnovationCenter.msu.edu @MSU_Innovation Page 2 of 2

File and source

File

2026-02-19_testimony_hb-5031-charles-hasemann-msu-innovation-center_62957.pdf

Size

113,076 bytes

SHA-256

358fa063b22bd10de14f66d2c31483cf02141b22e6057dd75137e5bb0f5dd502

Our copy

2026-02-19_testimony_hb-5031-charles-hasemann-msu-innovation-center_62957.pdf

Original

www.house.mi.gov