Economic Development

Local Resources

City of Niles Zoning Ordinance
City of Niles Zoning Map

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Provides funds for infrastructure needs in conjunction with City’s participation. It must identify industry with new jobs to be created which requires the project infrastructure. Fifty-one percent of the new jobs created must be low and moderate income individuals. Industry expenditures submitted as project participation and municipality must participate. For more information, review the Community Development Department page.

Niles Main Street (formerly DDA)

The City operates the Niles Main Street (DDA) within a central business district. The district captures incremental taxes for reinvestment back into the district. Check out the Niles Main Street page on our website.

downtown

Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate (IFEC)

Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificates are granted to industry by the City with final approval received from the State. IFECs are a 50% reduction of property taxes that is provided for a period of up to twelve years for real and/or personal property not currently on Michigan tax rolls. All taxes and financial obligations to the local municipality must be current. An industrial development district must be established prior to the start of the project. Application must be made within six months from the date of the building permit or the first piece of equipment arrives on the premises, whichever is first.

Revolving Loan Fund 

The City of Niles administers a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program that is available for loan and grant projects considered eligible by the state of Michigan . The RLF is an economic development tool that is based on partnerships between private businesses and the City of Niles . It works by providing loans to businesses that cannot locate or expand in Niles with traditional financing sources alone. The aim of the Revolving Loan Fund is to generate economic activity that will lead to the creation of jobs for low and moderate income individuals.

Loans may be used for land and building acquisition, construction, machinery and equipment acquisition, or for working capital. Businesses that benefit from the program are required to create one job for every $15,000 that is borrowed. A majority of the jobs that are created must be provided to low and moderate income individuals.

For more information about the Revolving Loan Fund please contact the Community Development Department.

State Resources

Michigan Small Business Development Center

 The Michigan Small Business Development Center (Michigan SBDC) network provides a full range of services for a variety of small businesses that are emerging and growing throughout Michigan - including new venture companies, existing small businesses, expanding businesses, new technology companies, and innovators.

The MI-SBDC network is a statewide organization dedicated to working with small businesses in partnership with local resources to grow and strengthen our local economy. The MI-SBDC works hard throughout the state to uncover opportunities and build relationships with organizations that makes a real difference to entrepreneurs.

The Lead Center, located at Grand Valley State University, supports 11 regional offices, each providing no cost advising and training to small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the 83 counties in Michigan through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The two satellite offices which serve the Niles area are listed below. For more information online please click here.

Biz Resource Center at Lake Michigan College
400 Klock Road
Benton Harbor , MI 49022 
Phone: 269-926-4047
Hours Of Operation:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm   Monday
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Friday

Resource Center at Southwestern Michigan College
2229 US 12 East
Niles , MI 49120 
Phone: 269-687-5640
Fax: 269-687-5655
Hours of Operation:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm Mon - Friday

Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG)

The new Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) opened for business officially Dec. 8th, 2003 . Governor Jennifer Granholm created DLEG to promote job creation and economic growth in Michigan by centralizing and streamlining the state's job, workforce, and economic development functions under one department. The new department, led by DLEG Director David C. Hollister, will be a one-stop shop for business creation and development. 

Department of Treasury – Business Taxes

Learn about Michigan taxes such as the Sales and Use Tax, Single Business Tax and Withholding Tax.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF)

Enacted in 1987, the Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) was created to assist in the funding of highway, road, and street projects necessary to support economic growth. The program mission continues to be to enhance the ability of the state to compete in an international economy, to serve as a catalyst for economic growth of the state, and to improve the quality of life in the state. Those eligible to apply for funds are the Michigan Department of Transportation, all county road commissions, and all city and village street agencies. One of the grant categories allows cities to target industrial development and redevelopment by making road improvements. 

Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA)

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority can provide to industry exemptions from the Single Business Tax credit for a number of years as determined by the State and based upon the personal income tax withholding for net new jobs created. Out of state industry must create 150 new jobs over existing payroll. Michigan firms qualify if 75 new jobs are created.

Pollution Control Abatement

Pollution Control Abatements are granted by the State. They reduce property tax liability on equipment used to control water or air pollution by 100% for the life of the equipment. The equipment must be designed and operated primarily to remove, capture or control pollutants. Equipment must be suitable and reasonably adequate.

Federal Resources

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) was established to work with states and localities to generate new jobs, retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed areas and regions of the United States . The purpose of its program investments is to provide economically distressed communities with a source of funding for planning, infrastructure development, and business financing that will induce private investment in the types of business activities that contribute to long-term economic stability and growth. EDA’s seven investment programs are strategically targeted to increase local competitiveness and strengthen the local and regional economic base.

Document Center
2016 Target Market Analysis- Niles 
2016 Target Market Analysis- Southwestern Michigan 
2022 Winter Action Plan- Niles 
2022 Michigan Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Assessment- Niles
Niles Third Street Village Plan 
Water Street Renderings and Information


Contact Information
For more information about these programs and the City of Niles contact:

Richard A. Huff
City Administrator
City of Niles
333 N. Second St., Ste. 301
Niles, Michigan 49120

269-683-4700 ext. 3011
CityAdministrator@nilesmi.org

Community Development Department
City of Niles
333 N. Second St., Ste. 301
Niles, Michigan 49120

269-683-4700 ext. 3020
Email

Jeff Rea
President & CEO
Membership Coordinator
Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce
333 N. Second St., Ste. 302 Niles, Michigan 49120
574-400-4000
Jeff@greaternileschamber.com
http://www.greaternileschamber.com

Ryan Boeskool

Membership Coordinator
Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce
333 N. Second St., Ste. 302 Niles, Michigan 49120
269-683-1833
ryan@greaternileschamber.com
http://www.greaternileschamber.com
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