Local Development Finance Authority

Overview

The Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) is established by the City of Portage and accomplishes economic and community development activities that are authorized by Michigan statutes.  This authority includes seven members appointed by the Chief Executive of the City of Portage, one member appointed by the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners, one member appointed by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and two members appointed by Portage Public Schools.

The authority creates and implements a Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan to promote the growth of the Authority District and take steps necessary to implement the plans to the fullest extent possible to create jobs, and promote economic growth.

As-Needed Meetings

  • 8 a.m.
  • 1st Thursday of every month
  • City Hall
    Conference Room 1
    7900 S. Westnedge Avenue
    Portage, MI 49002

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes


LDFA Projects and Investments

In accordance with the 2003 Amended Development Plan/Tax Increment Finance Plan and Development Agreement with the Stryker Corporation, the Zylman Avenue project has begun. In the summer of 2018, Stryker Medical initiated a 253,000 square foot building addition that will use Zylman Avenue for access. This significant building addition is in essentially complete and has been issued a temporary Certificate of Occupancy. As initially planned, $1.2 million of LDFA funding has been allocated towards this project which has an overall budget of $3 million, which is supplemented by a special grant from the State of Michigan and $500,000 from the city Sewer Fund. The project will include installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Cox’s Drive, a boulevard road section with curb and gutter and a bike path from Cox’s Drive to South Sprinkle Road, the replacement of sanitary sewer and water main and a mill and resurface from Portage Road to Sprinkle Road. The anticipated completion of this project is October 2019.