State awards $17.5 million grant to prepare Lowell Township’s Covenant Business Park for development

Today, The Right Place, Inc., and project partners Franklin Partners and Lowell Charter Township announced they have received $17.5 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) new Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) to help prepare the 237-acre Covenant Business Park in Lowell Township for industrial and commercial use. The Lowell site is one of 18 statewide projects announced as recipients of the funds at this morning’s Michigan Strategic Fund board meeting.

About SSRP

The SSRP provides financial incentives to eligible applicants to conduct activities on or related to strategic sites in Michigan to create a statewide inventory of investment-ready sites that will attract and promote investment in the state. The program provides access to grants, loans, and other economic assistance.

In its announcement to the project team, the MEDC noted that the Lowell site is strategic for the region and that the funds will help make progress on preparing the property to become a premier site. The award letter also noted that the property will become a critical offering and help MEDC build a strong pipeline of sites across the state.

More information on the program can be found here.

The funds awarded represent 50% of the $35m needed to get the site “shovel-ready” for development. Most work will center on infrastructure efforts, primarily sewer extension and connection.

About the property

The parcel, which is zoned PUD for industrial and commercial use, is located at the southwest corner of Cascade Road and Alden Nash, just north of I-96; with its proximity to a major highway and minutes from an international airport, Covenant Business Park has been considered to be the finest parcel available in greater Grand Rapids.

Travis Alden, senior director of community development at The Right Place and the project’s lead, formally submitted the request last October. The site owner and developer, Franklin Partners, and real estate broker Advantage Commercial Real Estate are also assisting with the project.

The team’s application received written support from Michael Burns, Lowell’s City Manager; Jerry Hale, Lowell Charter Township’s Supervisor; and state representatives Rep. Joe Tate, Rep. Angela Witwer, Rep. Gina Johnsen, and Rep. Phil Skaggs.

Official Address: 4687 Alden Nash Avenue S.E., Lowell, MI 49331

Total Area: 237 Acres

Developable Area: Approximately 190 Acres

Zoning: PUD for industrial and commercial uses

More information about the Covenant Business Park project can be found here.

Community open houses

The project team has planned three community open houses to help area residents and interested parties learn more about the site. All events will be held at the Lowell Township Hall, 2910 Alden Nash Avenue S.E., Lowell, MI 49331. The dates and times are:

• Wednesday, Jan. 31, 5-8 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 1, 5-8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 7, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.