Inside 208

A group called Destination Development International who, in over five years, has surveyed and visited 400 successful downtowns (big, small, urban and rural) throughout the U.S. and Canada, is providing at three part webinar series on the20 most common ingredients that led to a downtown’s success. In this first of...

HB 5488 passed the full House on Thursday.  The League testified on this issue back in the spring in committee and stated language should be added in the bill to assure that these temporary licenses are not subject to “takings” claims if they are revoked or if the permanent licenses are...

The MEDC in collaboration with MSHDA, MDOT, LARA and the MI Land Bank have created a roadshow they are taking all around the state.  This Economic Growth group in state government (assembled by Governor Snyder) has created a 2 hour presentation featuring updates and previews on the services each department...

The Senate passed SB 1291 and 1292, bills that would provide for regulation of a new product on the market that allows any web access device to be used to remotely control security and other devices (heater/air conditioner, etc) in a home or business.  While the senate passed version of...

On the final day of House session for a few weeks, HB 5877, a bill to expand eligibility for redevelopment liquor licenses to villages and townships (insert link to old post), passed the House.  It now moves onto the senate for action. We will keep you updated as the process...

League Staff Rob Ferrari, Matt Bach, Kelly Warren, Dan Gilmartin, Heather VanPoucker, Anthony Minghine and Arnold Weinfeld with the League’s three MSAE Diamond Awards. View more photos here. DEARBORN, Michigan – The Michigan Municipal League is proud to announce that our organization was the recipient of three Diamond Awards Thursday...

Today, the Senate Economic Development Committee passed SBs 1291 and 1292.  These bills would provide for regulation of a new product on the market that allows any web access device to be used to remotely control security and other devices (heater/air conditioner, etc) in a home or business.  The main...

Information regarding a new round of EPA grant funding for a technical assistance program for brownfield impacted communities has recently been announced.  The deadline for proposals is Nov. 14, 2012.  This is a very small grant program, and will take a concerted effort by a community to apply. The EPA, Office...

Earlier this year, Michigan received $97.2 million as part of a nationwide lawsuit regarding mortgage foreclosure practices.  This spring, after negotations between the Legislature and Michigan Attorney General Schuette, legislation was enacted (Public Act 296 of 2012) allocating use of the funds. Of the $97.2 million, $25 million is being...

The House Regulatory Reform Committee took testimony and passed out of committee HB 5877 (Denby, R-Fowlerville).  This bill amends the Michigan liquor control code dealing with redevelopment liquor licenses.  According to a recent determination by the Liquor Control Commission, only businesses in cities are eligible for redevelopment liquor licenses (click...