Session 3Tax Base Challenges – Success in Other Communities, Taxes & Incentives

Policy & Solutions Forum

May 15, 2014

Jared Rodriguez, Partner, Calder Group, LLC

WEST MICHIGAN REGION – GRAND RAPIDS Demographics History Turnaround Community – Results

(1915)

DEMOGRAPHICSFounded 1826 | Incorporated Village 1850Government

o City Commission – City Manager – City MayorPopulation (*2012)

o 190,411 – City of Grand Rapids – 124th U.S.o 614,462 – Kent Countyo 1,533,608 – 13 County Region

Diverse PopulationIndustry Presence

o Furniture, Health Care, Education, Automotive, Aerospace, Design, Construction, Agriculture, Retail, Food Service

HISTORY 19th Century – Settled by European missionaries and fur traders. 1826 – The “official founder” of Grand Rapids, Louis Campau,

Detroit-born Louis Campau, established trading post and blacksmith shop.o Major lumbering center and the premier furniture

manufacturing city. Furniture Capitol of the World – “Furniture

City”o Grad Rapids became recognized

worldwide as a leader in the production of fine furniture.

o 50+ furniture factories – 1900o River, Roads and Railroad lines/routes

developed and functional Growth as a Midwest Manufacturing Epicenter throughout the 1900’s Region hosts Michigan’s second largest City – Grand Rapids Downturn – 1970’s

o Closing factorieso Resident out-migration

(1885)

TURNAROUND Public-Private-Partnerships

o Tax Incentives – Increase Base/Regional Activity/Community Engagement

Grand Vision – Grand Action o Non-profit organization of private & public sector leaders

Work together to identify downtown revitalization projects worthy of support and development.

Private sector philanthropy/leader driven o DeVos Place Convention Center, Van Andel Arena, Medical Mile,

Meijer Majestic Theater, Urban Market, Universities Coalitions/Partnership driven change – City & Suburban municipal

planning Economic success drives philanthropic giving/community Economic Development and Promotion – Core City Re-Investment Organizational alignment – Business, Non-Profit, Education,

Government, Community

(2008)

COMMUNITY – RESULTS

COMMUNITY – RESULTSCommunity Engagement

o Laugh Festo Art Prizeo Beer City – Micro Brewso Meijer Gardenso Millennium Parko Museums

Festivalso Summer Festo Tulip Time Festivalo Heritage

Challengeso Talento Growth Mgmt.

Session 3Tax Base Challenges – Success in Other Communities, Taxes & Incentives

Policy & Solutions Forum

May 15, 2014

Jared Rodriguez, Partner, Calder Group, LLC