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CITY AND COMMUNITY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
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| WELCOME TO OUR WARM AND FRIENDLY PORT |
Whether you are looking at our area to relocate your company, expand a business, or want a great quality of life, we invite you to invest in the economic and cultural hub of northeast Michigan!
Incorporated in 1871, the City of Alpena overlooks Lake Huron's picturesque Thunder Bay from its location at the mouth of the Thunder Bay River. Our economic portfolio is grounded in a collection of mature, natural, resource-based industries; wood, paper, and cement products. We are also nurturing the growth of new industries such as for the wind energy market. |
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The City of Alpena is committed to enhancing and promoting its business-friendly climate. Through our partnerships with Target Alpena Development Corporation, the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, the Alpena Downtown Development Authority, and the Alpena Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, we offer dynamic opportunities for business growth, expansion, and success.
Our planning and development staff has implemented a flexible development and approval process to help you do business in our community. We can also offer a variety of economic development tools and incentives to promote your business's development.
This city of 11,000 has a rich and vibrant history and offers a great quality of life. Experience boating and fishing on beautiful Lake Huron, dive to the hundreds of shipwrecks in the only freshwater National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve in the world, or enjoy the area’s natural beauty and a great variety of outdoor recreational activities. From the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, to the region's only accredited museum, to diverse and vibrant cultural opportunities, including festivals, theater, art, and music, the City of Alpena is a very cool city to live, work, and play! |
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This vibrant but relaxed way of life is further enhanced by the educational opportunities provided by Alpena Community College, an excellent local school system, and state-of-the-art facilities at Alpena Regional Medical Center.
Thus, the City of Alpena welcomes you. Come and see how Alpena truly is a warm and friendly port! Experience our hospitality, our culture, our beautiful sunrises, and natural beauty. If you dare to dream, the City of Alpena offers the creative entrepreneur or developer a variety of excellent business opportunities.
Our planning and development staff is available as a resource to help you make the decision to call Alpena your business home. The information contained throughout our website is intended to help your business make successful and well-informed decisions. |
Find out what's waiting for you in Alpena:
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Browse below for services, programs, and development opportunities being offered. |
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Browse our community websites for a glimpse of our history, culture, and community. |
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Better yet, visit our warm and friendly port and make Alpena your new home! |
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| Development Opportunities |
US 23 North (click for air photo and property layout)
- 98 acres located on Alpena's north side near community college, hospital, civic center, and professional offices
- 750+ feet of frontage on US 23
- High traffic count - 14,000 ADT
- Proximity to growing lakefront residential development north of the City
- Flexible lot configuration
- All utilities available
- Zoned for mixed-use: office, retail, and higher density residential
- Land costs negotiable to $0 based on capital investment and job creation
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- Contact: Greg Sundin, Planning and Development Director
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City of Alpena |
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Phone: 989-354-1770 |
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Email: gregs@alpena.mi.us |
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Commerce Industrial Park (click for air photo and property layout)
- 12 lots available for purchase
- Renaissance Zone - Eligible for 15-year tax abatement extension
- Close to US 23 along designated truck route
- Proximity to growing lakefront residential development north of the City
- Zoned light industrial
- All utilities on-site
- Average lot size 40,500 SF
- Price per lot: $01 - $25,000 based on investment and job creation
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- Contact: Target Alpena Development Corporation
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Phone: 989-354-2666 |
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E-mail: targetalpena@chartermi.net |
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Downtown Alpena
Historic downtown with a mix of retail, service, culinary, entertainment, and cultural businesses. Emerging residential market, especially in the upper stories of commercial buildings.
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Contact: Lesslee Dort, Executive Director |
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City of Alpena Downtown Development Authority |
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Phone: 989-356-6422 |
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E-mail: alpenadda@chartermi.net |
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Renaissance Zones
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State-designated tax exempt zones
* Exempt from local real and personal property taxes
* Exempt from Michigan Business Tax (MBT) resulting from
business activity within the Zone
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Three active zones within the City
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Oxbow Village |
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40 acre mixed-use development, zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD) |
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Approximately 30 acres available for development |
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Existing development consists of 48 units of assisted living senior housing, dialysis treatment center, and a medical office |
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Contact: Michelle Styma |
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Walden Properties, LLC |
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Phone: 989-358-1059 |
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E-mail: mstyma@charterinternet.com |
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Memorial Hall (former Armory Building) |
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48,000 square foot former memorial hall and armory |
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Zoned for mixed use (PUD) |
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Located in downtown Alpena on the Thunder Bay River |
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Certified historic site, eligible for state and federal tax credits |
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Contact: Memorial Hall LLC |
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Scott Barkley
Phone: 989-464-5261
E-mail: smjbarkley@gmail.com |
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James Makowske
Phone: 989-464-4937
E-mail: f4jim@charter.net |
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Craig Patterson
Phone: 989-464-8195
E-mail: pcpatte@attglobal.net |
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Brownfield Redevelopment Programs
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State of Michigan Public Act 381 of 1996, as amended (Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act), provides financial incentives through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and credits against the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) to assist in the clean-up and redevelopment of brownfield sites within the state. In accordance with the Act, the City of Alpena has created an Authority for Brownfield Redevelopment. This five-member board has established policies and regulations by which it may approve brownfield plans for qualified redevelopment sites, including TIF plans to provide financial reimbursement for eligible environmental and developmental costs and brownfield MBT credits for up to 12.5% of the development investment. Brownfield plans must be approved by the Alpena Municipal Council. The State of Michigan must approve any brownfield plan including the capture of state school tax funds, as well as all brownfield tax credit requests. |
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The City has approved three brownfield plans to date, two of which include active Tax Increment Financing components. |
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Contact: Greg Sundin, Executive Director |
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City of Alpena Authority for Brownfield Redevelopment |
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Phone: 989-354-1770 |
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E-mail: gregs@alpena.mi.us |
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Downtown Incentive Programs
The DDA operates three programs to assist business and property owners within the City’s downtown.
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Low-Interest Loan Program |
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In cooperation with local financial institutions, up to $50,000 in loan funds would be available at one point under prime. The DDA may purchase an additional point under prime on the applicant's behalf. |
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Funding may be used to upgrade the interior/exterior of downtown buildings. |
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Facade Grant Program |
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$5,000 grant to assist in the restoration of building facades. |
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Must be consistent with the historic character and design of the building. |
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Downtown Retail Incentive Program |
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Assists new retail businesses to locate in vacant downtown storefronts. |
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Reduces rents by up to one-half (1/2). |
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DDA participates in balance of rent to reduce business costs. |
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Two-year program to assist businesses during the critical initial years of operation. |
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Business Support Group in place to monitor and assist businesses early on. |
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Contact: Lynn Kolasa, Executive Director |
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City of Alpena Downtown Development Authority |
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Phone: 989-356-6422 |
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E-mail: alpenadda@chartermi.net |
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Tax Abatement Programs
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Industrial Tax Abatement - PA 198 of 1974 |
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50% real and personal property tax abatement for up to
twelve (12) years for qualified new construction and
equipment. |
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New Personal Property Tax Abatement - PA 328 of 1998 |
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100% tax abatement on all new personal property for up to
nine (9) years for qualified businesses and personal property. |
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Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act - PA 146 of 2000 |
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Abatement of all local property taxes on the increased value of rehabilitated, functionally obsolete buildings, and property for up to twelve (12) years. Land and personal property not abated. |
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Commercial Rehabilitation Act - PA 210 of 2005 |
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Abatement of all local property taxes on the increased value of rehabilitated or replace buildings and redeveloped property for up to ten (10) years. Land and personal property not abated. |
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Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) - PA 147 of 1992 |
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This program: 1) abates 100% of the property taxes on the incremental increase in the real property taxable value attributable to the rehab of a residential dwelling unit or the creation of a residential dwelling unit in an existing commercial building; 2) for a new facility (residence), the property tax rate each year the abatement is in effect is limited to one-half of the preceding year's Non-PRE (Principal Residence Exemption) state average tax rate or the PRE state average tax rate, whichever applies. |
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The NEZ can be used in tandem with the City's Downtown Rental Program to develop new residential rental units in the upper floors of existing downtown commercial buildings, resulting in new housing stock and greater activity in Alpena's downtown and increased cash flow for the property. |
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Contact: Greg Sundin, Planning and Development Director |
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City of Alpena |
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Phone: 989-354-1770 |
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Fax: 989-354-1709 |
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E-mail: gregs@alpena.mi.us |
Downtown Residential Rental Development Program
MSHDA funded program that provides 70% of the cost, up to $35,000, to develop new residential rental units in the vacant or underutilized upper floors of existing downtown commercial buildings. Property owners must invest at least 25% of the total project cost. Affordable units (single unit or one unit if two are developed) must be rented initially to moderate income households and rents are controlled for a five-year affordability period.
When combined with the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Tax Abatement, the development of these units becomes very economically attractive. Provides additional cash flow that, when combined with that of the first floor commercial enterprise, can greatly enhance the overall financial bottom line for the building.
The City applies for funding approximately every two years based on interest from the downtown property owners.
Thirteen units have been constructed to date with five additional planned.
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Contact: Greg Sundin, Planning & Development Director |
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City of Alpena |
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Phone: 989-354-1770 |
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Fax: 989-354-1709 |
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E-mail: gregs@alpena.mi.us |
Target Alpena Development Corporation Programs
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Revolving Loan Fund |
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Provides up to $50,000 in promary and gap financing for new and existing businesses. |
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Micro Loan Program |
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Offers up to $30,000 in primary and gap financing for new and existing businesses. |
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Broadband Access for Businesses (Alpena Business Consortium) |
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Provides affordable access to high speed broadband, including I2, to local businesses in conjunction with Alpena Fiber Consortium and MERIT broadband network. |
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Contact: Target Alpena Development Corporation |
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Phone: 989-354-2666 |
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Fax: 989-354-1709 |
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E-mail: targetalpena@chartermi.net |
Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce Programs
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New and existing business assitance courses. |
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Insurance discounts for Chamber members. |
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New and existing business promotional opportunities. |
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Contact: Jackie Krawczak, Executive Director |
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Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce |
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Phone: 989-354-4181 |
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E-mail: jkrawczak@alpenachamber.com |
Michigan Small Business Technology and Development Center
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Provides resource information, assistance, and educational classes to small business operators and entrepreneurs. |
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Contact: Carl Bourdelais |
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Senior Business Consultant |
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Phone: 989-358-7383 |
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Fax: 989-358-7383 |
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E-mail: bourdelc@alpenacc.edu |
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City Manager Code of Ordinances Comprehensive Plan Zoning Ordinance 
