Businesses Looking For Sites to Expand or Relocate?

Looking for a new location to open your business?  Choose a tax free zone in  Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula!

In 1997, Michigan pioneered a bold, new approach to revitalization.  Effective January of that year, Michigan created eleven special zones where residents can live and companies can conduct business virtually free of state and local taxes for as long as fifteen years.   Michigan created these tax-free areas, called Renaissance Zones, in the belief that lowering tax barriers is the best way to stimulate economic growth. 

The zones were designed to spur investment in areas of the state that were struggling to attract business.  By eliminating virtually all state and local taxes for all businesses and residents located in the zones, Renaissance Zones created a powerful monetary incentive for investment.

Ironwood is one such rural area selected. The City of Ironwood's Business Park has many attributes that make it attractive to companies as a possible place-of-business or expansion location.  The many advantages available to current and prospective entrepreneurs include:  its location right off of US-2, the availability of wooded lots, full public and private utilities, possible revolving loan funding, an asking price of $2,000 per acre, flexible lot sizes, and a willingness on the part of the City to work with businesses in seeking out other applicable funding from the MEDC and other state and federal initiatives.  The involvement of three different economic development corporations at the county and local levels ensures that businesses are able to take advantage of incentives that may be available to them.  A number of companies that currently operate in the park have shown robust growth through building and operational expansions in recent years.

Perhaps one of the park's biggest intangible assets is its oversight board, the Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation (IIDC) and the other business people involved in the park.  These individuals are community-minded and want to see the area grow and prosper.  To these ends, the board takes great strides to accommodate businesses that can take full advantage of the city's investment in infrastructure in the Park.  Many of the businesses located in the Ironwood Business Park have demonstrated the proven track record for business.

More information on the Ironwood Business Park (or any other business development opportunities) is available by contacting Dan Petersen in the City Community Development Office at (906) 932-5050, ext. 126 or via e-mail at petersend@cityofironwood.org.

Old Depot Museum
150 North Lowell
PO Box 45
Ironwood, MI.  49938
906/932-1122 (phone)
906/932-2756 (fax)
email: chamber@ironwoodmi.org