For the last several months, as part of its export/import strategy, PCF had been assisting with the economic development efforts in five Michigan counties to create the I-69 International Trade Corridor as a next Michigan development corporation.
This Corridor spans a geographical area from the Canada/United States Blue Water Bridge crossing in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan east to the western boundary of Shiawassee County, Michigan, using Interstate 69 as its center-line. Involved in this initiative are five Michigan counties and many local units of government such as cities, townships, and villages. These communities either have I-69 crossing their borders, or they are in close proximity to the interstate.The Corridor not only has the asset of Interstate 69, which crosses the United States linking Canadian deep-water ocean ports to Mexico, but also, the major highways of I-75, I-96, and US 23, together with major rail lines intersect throughout.
An international airport is at the hub of the Corridor.The counties and local governmental units involved in this initiative will be parties to an inter-local agreement which creates a new public corporation known as the I-69 International Trade Corridor next Michigan Corporation. The corporation will be formed under a recent statute that provides a framework for regional cooperation to attract new businesses and create jobs.
The corporation will have broad powers to act in these areas through business services, education, planning, streamlined permitting, marketing, and business services/incentives.The I-69 International Trade Corridor next Michigan Corporation has an expected start-up date of February 2012 after approval of its designation by the Michigan Strategic Fund.
After more than fifty public hearings and presentations along the Corridor, the legislative bodies of the counties and the local units of government approved and executed an “Interlocal Agreement Creating the I-69 International Trade Corridor Next Michigan Development Corporation”. The signed agreement was filed with the Governor of the State of Michigan on January 6, 2012. The Governor’s approval of the agreement is necessary for the Corridor to receive official designation as a Next Michigan Development Corporation from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Such a designation brings with it many new economic development tools and strategies to assist with business attraction and job creation. To view the cover letter for the Agreement, click here.