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The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has announced two Brownfield Redevelopment Grants totaling $1.4 million for commercial projects in northern Michigan.
Freshwater Research and Innovation Center, West Bay Shore Drive, Elmwood Township
Occupying a 9.24-acre site with a history of manufacturing, auto repair, and boat storage since 1971, this location is currently contaminated with PFAS, metals, and petroleum compounds. A $1 million grant from EGLE will facilitate site assessments, removal of contaminated groundwater and soil, asbestos abatement, and demolition. The planned $28 million Freshwater Research Center, expected to attract millions in research funding annually and create 30 new jobs, will be managed by Discovery Center Great Lakes. This organization is also investing $7.5 million in the redevelopment of Discovery Pier, located nearby. The Freshwater Research and Innovation Center is slated for completion in spring 2027.
The Black Squirrel Bakery, North State Street, Hillman
A former gas station in Hillman, Montmorency County, which had been blighted, will be transformed into a bakery. EGLE has been involved in remediation at this site since the early 1990s, addressing petroleum vapor issues reported from a neighboring building’s basement. Between 1999 and 2013, EGLE removed 103,000 gallons of groundwater and 430 cubic yards of soil. Now, with a $400,000 EGLE Brownfield Redevelopment Grant, further site assessments, removal of 700 tons of contaminated soil, a hazardous materials survey, and demolition of the existing structure will be carried out. Developer Jamie MacArthur plans to invest $500,000 to establish a bakery and café, which will be within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and parks. The project is anticipated to create four new jobs and be completed by winter 2024.
EGLE allocates more than half of its annual budget to local projects that safeguard public health and the environment while fostering economic growth and job creation in Michigan. Redevelopment enhances the value of brownfield sites and surrounding properties. In 2023, EGLE awarded $31.3 million in brownfield incentives to 88 projects throughout Michigan.
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