Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to my monthly Capitol and Community Updates e-newsletter! As your state representative in the 103rd Michigan Legislature, it has been a pleasure to provide these regular updates on my legislative work in an effort to be as transparent and informative as possible for constituents like you. In this issue, you will find a legislative update, news on funding coming to our district, grant opportunities, and resources for how my office can assist you!

Neighbors and friends in House District 103 are encouraged to also sign up for these updates at my website, RepCoffia.com. You can reach my office by phone at (517) 373-3817 or by email at BetsyCoffia@house.mi.gov. Be sure to check out the latest on my social media platforms, including Facebook, as well. As the 103rd Michigan Legislature ramps up, I welcome your continued feedback and encourage you to reach out if my team and I can ever be of assistance to you!

In Service,

Betsy Coffia

State Representative

House District 103

Upcoming Events

Please join me for my upcoming office hours, where I will give a legislative update and answer your questions about the issues facing our state and our community. These events are a great way to find out what policies I’m working on and to share your ideas and concerns with me!

My 2025 in-person office hours occur monthly in one of the three counties of the 103rd District — Grand Traverse, Benzie and Leelanau — on a rotating basis. My upcoming February office hour will be in Grand Traverse County!

February Office Hour

When: Monday, Feb. 10, from noon to 1 p.m.

Where: Traverse Area District Library

(610 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686)

Legislative Updates

Below you will find highlights of recent legislative action. It is my great honor to put the people of Michigan first by delivering on our promises, and I am ready to keep up the momentum as this legislative term begins. As always, legislation I have sponsored or co-sponsored this term can be found here. Real-time updates on my legislative work can also be found here.

Committee Assignments

Speaker Matt Hall announced members’ committee assignments at the end of January, meaning we can officially begin the work of reviewing proposed legislation through the committee process in the 103rd Michigan Legislature. This term, I will be serving on two prominent committees – the House Energy Committee and the House Economic Competitiveness Committee.

R&D Tax Credits Become Law

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed legislation into law establishing a Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit in Michigan to incentivize businesses to invest in research activities in our state. The R&D Tax Credit is available to businesses conducting qualified research within Michigan, and the amount of the credit varies depending on how many workers are being employed. Large businesses with 250+ employees are eligible for a credit of 10% of qualified research expenditures (QREs) exceeding a base amount, capped at $2 million per year. Meanwhile, small businesses with less than 250 employees are eligible for a credit of 15% of QREs exceeding the base amount, with a maximum credit of $250,000 per year. There is also an additional incentive — an extra 5% credit up to $200,000 — available for businesses collaborating with Michigan-based research universities. The total credits are capped at $100 million annually, with $25 million reserved specifically for small businesses. Until recently, Michigan was the only state in the Midwest that didn’t have an R&D tax credit. Over 30 states offer some kind of research and development (R&D) tax credit, and without a similar credit available in Michigan, we could be missing out on crucial economic investment in our state. These credits are designed to encourage companies to invest in research and development within Michigan, fostering innovation and economic growth across our state. For more information, click here.

Michigan Innovation Fund Established

Also signed into law recently is the establishment of a Michigan Innovation Fund, which will make Michigan a more attractive place for working professionals by supporting startups within the state. The fund allocates $60 million to assist early-stage businesses, aiming to facilitate access to early-stage capital, foster collaboration between researchers and businesses, and stimulate economic development and job creation across the state. This initiative seeks to strengthen Michigan’s innovation ecosystem by supporting the growth and success of new ventures while creating more well-paying jobs. These combined efforts underscore Michigan’s commitment to becoming a leader in technological advancement and economic development. For more information, click here.

My Legislation Promoting Affordable Housing Becomes Law

My bill, House Bill 5030, now Public Act 191 of 2024, was recently signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer! The bill passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. This bill will support affordable housing expansion by giving the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) more flexibility with its current funding. This bill will grant MSHDA discretion for when to cancel its own debt rather than requiring it to cancel the debt upon purchasing it. These changes will help streamline MSHDA’s operations, allowing the authority to save millions of dollars and better use its resources to address Michigan’s accessible housing shortage. This bill was part of a package along with House Bill 5031, which settles legal questions that previously impeded the agency’s efficiency, and House Bill 5032, which removes outdated caps to increase the maximum purchase price for MSHDA loans and increases the allowable purchase price of property if unexpected costs arose during construction for property used by disabled individuals. Altogether, these bills bring MSHDA into further alignment with federal standards and neighboring states while supporting our state’s affordable housing goals. More information can be found here.

Economic Development in Action!

As your state representative, I am working toward a long-term vision and expanded economic development tools. Last term, the progress we made on streamlining Renaissance Zones, investing in community development, and expanding our affordable housing stock through the Transformational Brownfield Fund powered our economic development strategy by cutting red tape, incentivizing job growth, and making Michigan a better place to work and live. Every dollar invested in these projects puts an average of approximately $4 back into Michigan residents’ paychecks, and generates millions back to the state that can be invested in our schools, roads, and more. 

In my first term, I worked with my colleagues in the legislative and executive branches of our state government to bring 33 projects directly to our district, which created 159 jobs and secured $8.5 million in public support plus $28.8 million in private investment. See below for more details on these investments:

Additional Updates

Funding Coming to the 103rd District

I am thrilled to announce that our communities in Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau counties in the 103rd House District have recently been awarded the following federal and state grant, credit, or loan funding:

State Rep Betsy Coffia, third from left, tours Cambium Analytica in Traverse City.

  • Benzie Bus – $34,600: The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center has awarded a Rural Community Innovations: Transportation Planning Grant to the Benzie Transportation Authority, also known as Benzie Bus. This funding will be used to develop a plan for improving access to health services for older adults and people with disabilities that integrates the scheduling of medical appointments with the scheduling and management of public transportation in rural Benzie County.
  • Leelanau Cheese Company – $100,000: This grant was awarded as part of the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance’s (DBIA) Dairy Business Builder grant program. The program aims to help support small- to medium-sized dairy businesses in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy by-products, and creating or enhancing dairy export programs. This grant will help the Suttons Bay company upgrade equipment to increase production capacity and expand markets.
  • Cambium Analytica – $200,000: Cambium is a next-generation B2B analytical testing, product development, and contract research company that services natural foods, dietary supplements, and botanical products industries. With the support of this Michigan Business Development Program grant, the company will expand to increase its capacity with the purchase of equipment for laboratory testing that will enable further scientific research and drive innovation. The expansion is expected to result in a capital investment of $1.2 million and create 34 new jobs that will pay an average wage of $26.80 per hour plus benefits, over $6 per hour above the regional median wage.
  • Grand Traverse Band Community Revitalization – $248,000: The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has awarded this grant as the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) seeks resources to address blighted properties within GTB tribal lands and trust lands owned by GTB. This project will help protect the health, safety, and welfare of the tribal community by preventing blight, protecting property values and neighborhood integrity, avoiding the creation and maintenance of nuisances, and ensuring the safe and sanitary maintenance of residential dwellings. Activities include removing junk motor vehicles and other accumulated refuse, as well as removing structures that are no longer habitable and clearing debris.
  • Orchardview Apartments, Traverse City – $1,360,500: This affordable housing development is being financed in part by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) as allocated by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The project will include renovating existing units and constructing new units. Upon completion, the project will provide 54 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom affordable housing units for households earning between 40% and 60% AMI. Twenty-one of these units will receive rental assistance through the Traverse City Housing Commission. The development is expected to create three permanent and 114 temporary construction jobs.
  • Going PRO Grants – $2,385,590: The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has awarded nearly $2.4 million in Going PRO Talent Fund grants to 66 businesses in northern lower Michigan. Businesses will use the funding to provide workforce training and development to new and existing employees starting in January 2025. These funds are allocated to employers through Michigan’s workforce system, such as our local agency, Northwest Michigan Works!
  • Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) Grants:
    • Traverse City Philharmonic – $32,500: This grant will allow for free and reduced-priced concert tickets to students and newcomers to the area, as well as several free community concerts and increased music education availability. Scholarship support also helps ensure that no child or adult is turned away due to financial hardship. The funding is also designated towards equipment purchase, such as instruments and furnishments for the student rehearsal space.
    • Mash-Up Rock and Roll Musical – $19,880: This operational grant will provide our community with quality, live theatrical events, which includes paying stipends to artists, designers, and technicians for the three original musicals that will be produced this year. On top of producing all three shows, Mashup is also working to establish a new small theatre venue, something that does not exist in the region, to serve other arts organizations in our area. They will offer one “Pay What You Can” performance for each production and split the proceeds of this performance with other local nonprofits.

Grant Funding Opportunities

Current federal and state grant opportunities include:

  • Farm-to-Family “Food Hubs and Farm Stops” Grant: The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is administering this grant aimed at strengthening the state’s middle-of-the-supply-chain agri-food systems. This program is designed to support innovative models that deliver locally-produced and healthy food to Michiganders while creating economic opportunities for Michigan farmers. Applications for this grant are due by Feb. 21 at 5 p.m.
  • County Fairs Capital Improvement Grant: MDARD is administering this grant for building renovations, infrastructure upgrades, or capital improvements that enhance the productivity, usefulness, or longevity of fairground facilities. County fairs are encouraged to apply for this funding, which will be issued on a cost reimbursement basis with 50% cash match required. Grant proposals must be received via email by MDARD no later than March 14 at 5 p.m.
  • Livestock & Commodity Exposition Competitive Grant: MDARD is administering this grant for associations or other organized events hosting fairs or expositions showing livestock and commodities. County fairs, regional fairs, local fairs, festivals, or livestock and commodity expositions that are a non-profit 501(c)3 or 501(c)5 are encouraged to apply for this funding, which will be issued on a cost reimbursement basis with 50% cash match required. Grant proposals must be received via email by MDARD no later than March 14 at 5 p.m.
  • BEAD Grant: The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) is administering the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which offers grants designed to ensure that every one of Michigan’s unserved and underserved homes and businesses can get connected to reliable high-speed internet infrastructure. MIHI also plans to leverage BEAD funding to address issues of affordability, device access, digital skills, and others that continue to create a digital divide. MIHI is now accepting BEAD applications until April 9 at 4 p.m. 
  • MI Neighborhood Grant: This grant opportunity through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is a blend of state and federal funding in response to regional action plans and is in strategic alignment with the Statewide Housing Plan. This grant is open to developers, nonprofits and units of local government who seek to create housing activity components. Applications will be accepted as long as funding is available.
  • Wastewater Infrastructure Fund (WIF) Grant Program: This grant from MDARD aims to help the state’s food and agriculture businesses comply with Michigan’s environmental regulations. Applications will be accepted continually until funding is exhausted.

Apply for State Boards and Commissions

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer makes appointments to nearly 250 statewide boards and commissions. These appointments are opportunities for Michiganders to engage with their state government on the issues they care about and represent their expertise and communities at the state level. Vacancies can be viewed online. Each board listed includes the number of total members, number of vacant seats, and specifications for each vacancy.

E-News Archives, Publications and Recognitions

My e-news archive is available on my website here.

State publications on various topics are also available here. Physical copies of any of these publications can also be mailed to you by emailing my office with your request!

Do you know someone in the district who is retiring and would like a legislative tribute to celebrate their years of service? Has a local team or group reached a milestone that they would like to be acknowledged with an official certificate for each member? Our office can provide legislative tributes, letters, and certificates on a wide range of recognitions for constituents and local small businesses. If you would like to request any of these materials for yourself or others, please fill out this form or email my office at BetsyCoffia@house.mi.gov. Please provide as much information as possible, and we will work with you to arrange delivery or presentation of the recognition!