BLDFA
Blackman Charter Township Local Development Finance Authority
Jackson Technology Park SmartZone (SM)
Certified Business Park & Jackson Technology Park North (JTPN)
Parcels adjacent to Technique, Inc., Chemetall, TAC Manufacturing, JSP International (formerly known as Maverick Industries and Kaneka Texas Corporation) and JSP Sheet Foam, LLC. on County Farm Road. There are two JTPN tenants: Mid Brook Manufacturing & Fabrication, and soon the Louis 1884 project.
The Blackman Local Development Finance Authority (BLDFA) owns the 80 acre parcel south on County Farm Road, and the 181 acres on the north side, which is known as Jackson Technology Park North. Services are at County Farm Road. The Township along with the BLDFA will work with companies for most types of development with new job creation and private investment. A majority of the property is within the SmartZone boundary. BLDFA Tax Increment Financing (TIF) captures taxes generated from new capital investment within the district, with the exception of 50 percent of school and debt millage. The TIF can be used for project-related public infrastructure improvements (i.e. road, water, sewer, site development); and to operate the Lean Rocket Lab, our community’s SmartZone, which is an entrepreneurial ecosystem of innovation in the heart of downtown Jackson.
Helpful Programs
Some items may be temporarily unavailable as we are currently updating all documents.
Debbie Kelly, BLDFA Staff, can be reached at 517-788-4330.
BUSINESS ACCELERATOR/SMART ZONE PROGRAM
Accelerate Jackson County’s Business Accelerator/Smart Zone Program is an expedited business resource for Smart Zone tenants as well as other eligible businesses and is designed to expedite grant funding and other incentives.
The purpose of this venture capital program is to drive forward the new economy of Michigan, providing a path to funding and partnerships for the commercialization of new regionally-developed opportunities. Companies must be based in Michigan. The Fund will focus on seed and early stage venture capital investments in life science and technology companies.
Business Accelerator Program Information
Michigan Emerging Technologies Fund
Lean Rocket Lab – Smart Zone
INVEST MICHIGAN PROGRAMS
The InvestMichigan! Program is a series of Funds focused on generating strong returns for investors and growing the next generation of Michigan companies. In order to support companies at different stages of development, the Program offers three distinct investment vehicles.
Click here to view the investment vehicles:
Mezzanine Fund
Growth Capital Funds
Michigan Opportunities Fund
OTHER BUSINESS ACCELERATOR PROGRAM LINKS:
Ann Arbor SPARK Business Accelerator Program
Michigan Economic Development Corporation Business Accelerator Program
E – Merge Funding
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) created the MI Sites Program in 2024, in collaboration with Quest Site Solutions, along with multiple state agencies and economic development stakeholders, to enhance the readiness of industrial properties in the State of Michigan. The primary objective of the MI Sites Program is to develop a statewide portfolio of best-in-class ready sites to address the real estate needs of companies seeking to locate or expand in Michigan. To help accomplish this objective, consistent statewide criteria for site readiness was established, and the data and information collected during the program will be utilized to determine the current readiness classification of each property – bronze, silver, or gold. Accelerate Jackson County (AJC) staff participated in this extensive request for information process and significant efforts were required to coordinate, develop, and compile the information necessary to complete Step 2 of the program. As a result, Jackson Technology Park North was designated as Bronze in the MI Sites Program, which will expire on October 8, 2027. An additional outcome of this program is the marketing package that AJC and the Blackman Charter Township Local Development Finance Authority (BLDFA) can provide to potential tenants that truly sets this site above others for development in Michigan.
Helpful Links & Resources
BLDFA BOARD MEETING INFORMATION
BLDFA Board Packet for the 2024 Annual Meeting
BLDFA Board Packet for February 19, 2025
BLDFA Board Packet for May 21, 2025 – coming soon!
BLDFA Current Contracts
Lawncare Maintenance Contract – coming soon!
Snowplow Contract – coming soon!
BLDFA DOCUMENTS
2024 Amended and 2025 BLACKMAN TWP LDFA BUDGET
TIF and Development Plan No. 5
2023 Annual BLDFA TIF Report – 2024 coming soon!
2023 BLACKMAN TWP LDFA AUDIT – 2024 coming soon!
Current documentation required by P.A. 57 is posted on this partner page, documentation since the Act’s inception of January 1, 2019 is available at the municipality, open to the public at 1990 Parnall Road, Jackson, MI 4901. Or, you may call Debbie Kelly, BLDFA Staff, at 517-788-4330.
The BLDFA Board meets quarterly on the third Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the Blackman Charter Township Meeting Hall. The next BLDFA Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. If you need to reach BLDFA Staff – please call Debbie Kelly or Sara Owen at 517-788-4455.
Please note that if you are looking for a specific BLDFA document, those are housed at Blackman Charter Township for public viewing at 1990 W. Parnall Road, Jackson, MI 49201 or by calling Supervisor Pete Jancek at 517-788-4345.