Investing in Springfield
The City of Springfield (pop. 5,260) is located just north of the 1-94 Corridor in Southwest Michigan - in the midst of the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Metropolitan Area. The two-county region consists of more than 365,000 residents. Springfield is approximately 3.81 square miles in area. According to Michigan Department of Transportation 2021 Annual Average Daily Traffic data, Springfield's main trunk lines average a combined average of 9,400 vehicles per day:
- Dickman Road (M-96) west of Helmer Rd. (M-37): 13,250 vehicles per day
- Dickman Road (I-94 BL) East of Helmer Rd. (M-37): 13,345 vehicles per day
- Helmer Road (M-37) South of Dickman Rd. (M-96): 16,507 vehicles per day
- Helmer Road (M-37) North of Dickman Rd. (M-96): 8,151 vehicles per day
The City of Springfield's current economy is driven by small businesses. For example, there are more than 250 small businesses in the city limits! Notable local businesses are Lakeland Asphalt Corp., Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Toyota, and Honda dealerships, Dare Products, the GHS String Company, Waste Management, RW George, Beech and Rich Coatings, Fastenal, and Behnke Trucking.
Springfield desires to cultivate an environment that encourages economic growth and development while meeting the needs of our residents and businesses. Accordingly, the city stays abreast of business and neighborhood grant opportunities, incentive programs, other economic development tools that may help spur interest, guide investment, and renew the image of the city.
The City of Springfield uses state legislated financial and/or tax assistance programs to encourage new development and rehabilitation. The City of Springfield has experience using the following tools to incentivize investment in its community:
- Finance Authorities
- Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
- Economic Development Corporation
- Tax Increment Financing Authority (TIFA) Districts: Special taxing district that capture tax growth in a specific area and reinvests those captured dollars back into the area via business development incentives, public infrastructure improvements, beautification projects, marketing, etc.
- Tax Exemptions and Abatements
- Commercial Rehabilitation District
- Industrial Facilities Tax Abatement Program
- Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act
- Plant Rehabilitation and Industrial Development Exemption
- Municipal Assistance
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- Site Location Assistance
- Interactive GIS Map
- Regional Economic Development Resources
- Helmer Farms Industrial Park
- Neighborhood Improvement Program (Depending on budgeted funds)
- City-Owned Properties Available for Development
Springfield is a wonderful place to live, and a sound, stable place to invest. If you are considering undertaking a business venture or expanding or relocating a current enterprise, we encourage you to consider Springfield as the home for your business! Please contact the City of Springfield for information on our business development programs, investor incentives, the application process (if required) and the great quality of life our community has to offer its businesses and residents!