Sterling Heights turns its economic dev strategy green

Sterling Heights is putting its green credentials where its economic development 
mouth is, thanks to a new environmentally friendly building ordinance.

The new rules allow developers up to a three-year extension on its tax abatement if they incorporate environmentally friendly building techniques and materials into their projects. The length of the extension is dependent on the level of LEED certification they receive.

LEED certification levels are determined by how many green features are incorporated into the development. These range from energy efficiency to water conservation to location to building design to use of alternative energy to reusing existing structures.

Businesses occupying these buildings can also receive a tax-abatement extension if they’re business model if based in the new economy. For instance, the business would qualify if it’s in the biotech, homeland security, alternative energy or of a number of other industries based in the new-economy.

Source: City of Sterling Heights
Writer: Jon Zemke
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