Cornerstone Alliance
38 W. Wall Steet, P.O. Box 428
Benton Harbor, MI 49023-0428
269.925.6100
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Renaissance Zones

Michigan's Great Southwest is home to eight Renaissance Zones created by the State of Michigan.  Businesses located within the boundaries of a zone benefit from having most of their state and local taxes abated.  The tax benefits are phased out in 25% increments during the zone's final three years of existence.   (Property owners are still responsible for property taxes levied to pay for local bonded indebtedness, school sinking funds, and special assessments.)  And while each local unit of government handles the property tax abatement process differently Cornerstone Alliance's staff will work directly with you to obtain the allowable benefit. 

  • Local Real Property Taxes - General property taxes on land and buildings are abated at nearly 100%.
  • Local Personal Property Taxes - A business' personal property is also abated at nearly 100% if located within the Renaissance zone.
  • School Property Taxes Abated - Personal property taxes for schools as well are 100% abated. Recent property tax reforms have exempted industrial personal property - inside and outside of a zone - from the 6-mill State Education Tax (SET) and 18 mills for local schools. Under the same reform, all Michigan commercial personal property is automatically exempt from 12 mills of the local school millage.
  • Michigan Business Tax - A tax credit is allowed against the Michigan Business Tax for business activity attributable to the Renaissance Zone. 

Michigan's Great Southwest Renaissance Zones

Area Expiration Date
Benton Charter Township Fairplain South Zone                     

Expires 2011
Benton Charter Township Interstate Park                             

Expires 2011
Benton Charter Township Meadowbrook & Yore                     

Expires 2017

City of Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township Elisha Gray Enterprise Park and Cornerstone Industrial Park          

 Expires 2011
City of Benton Harbor Graham Avenue Zone Expires 2011
City of Benton Harbor Miller's Pond Zone                            Expires 2017
City of Benton Harbor North of Main Sub Zone                    Expires 2011
City of St. Joseph Edgewater Development Zone                

Expires 2011

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