30 Year Development Plan
PURPOSE OF THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY ACT:
The Evart Local Development Finance Authority was created under the authority of Act 281 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1986, MCLA 125.251 et.seq. The Act was enacted to provide a means for local units of government to eliminate the conditions of unemployment, underemployment, and joblessness and to promote economic growth in the community served by the local unit of government.
The Act encourages local development to prevent conditions of unemployment and promote economic growth; provides for the establishment of local development finance authorities and prescribes their powers and duties; provides for the creation of a board to govern an authority and prescribes its powers and duties; provides for the creation and implementation of development plans, authorizes the acquisition and disposal of interests in real and personal property; permits the issuance of bonds and other evidences of indebtedness by an authority, prescribes powers and duties of certain state officers and agencies; and authorizes and permits the use of tax increment financing.
CREATION OF THE EVART LDFA
n August 6, 1990, the City Council of the City of Evart adopted a Resolution of Intent to Establish a Local Development Finance Authority. The resolution provided for a public hearing to be held on the proposed resolution creating the authority and designated the boundaries of the Authority District. The public hearing was held on September 4, 1990, and on September 17, 1990, the City Council adopted a Resolution Creating the Local Development Finance Authority and Designating the Boundaries of the Local Development Finance Authority District. The Authority boundaries and plan were expanded by City Council action at its meeting of June 21, 1993.
The Local Development Finance Authority was given all the powers and duties prescribed for a local development finance authority under the Act.
After creation of the authority, the City Council approved the appointment of seven of the members of the LDFA Board. One member was also appointed by the Board of County Commissioners of Osceola County and two members were appointed by the Board of Education of Evart Public Schools.
THE 30 YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN
he LDFA Act requires the preparation of a Development Plan by the Authority extending over the entire life established for the Authority. Projects undertaken in the Plan are to be of benefit to the Authority District. A strategic plan identified the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for the overall development of the community. That plan was incorporated into the creation of the LDFA Development Plan to identify tasks necessary to develop and enhance the LDFA District. The objectives set forth for the LDFA Plan are as follows:
1. Development of the Evart Air Industrial Park to provide for a very high quality, “just in time” industrial park.
2. Evart Airport improvements including extension of and widening the runway, taxiway, navigational lighting, land acquisition and airport support facilities.
3. Construction of an airport terminal, business / industrial education center, wellness center.
4. Provision of adult and child care and other “family friendly” facilities in support of the industries and businesses locating in the LDFA district.
5. Construction of airport hangar facilities.
6. Construction of freight terminals to accommodate industrial truck and freight shipping requirements.
7. Acquire future land for compatible uses near the industrially developed portions of the city and the Evart airport.
8. Construction of industrial buildings for sale or lease to new and existing industries seeking expansion opportunities.
9. Construct infrastructure improvements in support of the Evart Glass Plant (PPG), including watermain, sanitary sewer, roadway, land acquisition, and clearing activities.
10. Lauman Road reconstruction to facilitate future glass plant expansion.
11. Water system improvements to enhance system capacity to serve the west side industrial sector and small businesses located along US-10.
12. Water system capacity improvements including construction of a second water tower on the west side of the city, a new well field development and additional looped water mains.
13. Wastewater treatment facility expansion and upgrading.
14. Industrial Park storm drain construction.
15. Acquisition of land buildings and equipment to assist in maintenance of the Authority district’s infrastructure investments.
16. Public safety investments in police and fire facilities, equipment and manpower needed to support an expanding industrial community.
17. Construction of recreation and park facilities that will enhance the attractiveness for new community investments and the liveability of the city. Such improvements include land and building acquisition, development of the Rails to Trails / Depot project that will provide employee recreational opportunities and green space surrounding the industrial park, and the planting of trees and shrubs to enhance the attractiveness of the area.
18. The expenses for marketing and promoting the industrial park.
19. Provision of training opportunities to enhance the quality of the available labor force and to maintain advanced skills as a resource for area industries.
20. Provision for administrative expenses including staff salaries, benefits, operating expenses, accounting and auditing services and similar needs.
21. Other activities which enhance and support the industrial and business development opportunities of Evart.
