Lansing, Michigan airport designated 'aerotropolis'

December 24, 2011

On Wednesday the, Michigan and surrounding land was designated as an "" by the  Strategic Fund board. The Next Michigan Development program allows the airport to offer tax incentives in order to attract manufacturing, distribution, and technology businesses to the surrounding area.

Incentives can include property tax abatements or the elimination of most state and local taxes for a specified period of time. To qualify for the incentives, a company would have to start a new venture on airport property or expand an existing one. Additionally, companies need to use a minimum of two out of four transportation modes – freight, air, rail, or water.

The airport, in, is the second in Michigan to receive an aerotropolis designation. The state's other aerotropolis is located in the area surrounding and  airports. In October the city of and DeWitt Township approved a  on the property, designating approximately 850 acres (344 ha) of land as available for future development.