Financial Assistance & Incentive Programs

The Community and Economic Development Division has compiled a list of grants, tax exemption programs, redevelopment incentives and other financial assistance programs offered in whole or part by the City of East Lansing. The list below includes programs available to eligible East Lansing residents, renters, home owners, business owners and non-profit entities as well as financial incentives available for redevelopment projects.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

The Community and Economic Development Division administers the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

CDBG is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by states and local governments. CDBG funds are intended to address the needs of low- to moderate-income East Lansing residents through individual and neighborhood investment.

For more information about programs offered and applying for funding, please see the Community Development Block Grant webpage.

DNA Card

This program is funded through a partnership between the East Lansing Downtown Development Authority and East Lansing Downtown Management Board and is administered by the Community & Economic Development Division.

The Daytime. Nighttime. Anytime. Card (DNA Card) is a community eGift card program that helps keep local dollars local. Community eGift Cards are a simple way for people and companies to “give back” and drive more business into our local stores. Consider purchasing an e-gift card that you can send to yourself, friends or family! You can use the Downtown East Lansing e-gift card at all participating merchant locations. Thanks for your support!

Parking Validations

This program is administered by the East Lansing Parking Division. A 40 percent discount is available for merchants that validate customer parking. These validations are available for purchase in packs of 25 or through a billing program. For more information on parking validations and other parking related programs, please visit: www.cityofeastlansing.com/ParkingDowntown. View or Download Validation Parking for Downtown East Lansing (PDF) or call (517) 337-1277 for more information.

Façade Improvement Program

This program is funded through the East Lansing Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and is administered by the Community & Economic Development Division.

The Façade Improvement Program is available for businesses located within the DDA. The program will provide matching funds for improvements to the façades of commercial buildings and up to $1,000 in design assistance. Grants require a cash match on behalf of the applicant for all eligible expenses. Funding is provided on a competitive basis. Available matching funds are made possible through the DDA. View or download program guidelines and application form here. Façade Improvement Program Façade Improvement Program Façade Improvement Program Façade Improvement Program Façade Improvement Program Questions? Please email grants@cityofeastlansing.com.

Neighborhood Enhancement Mini-Grant Program

As part of its Neighborhood Partnerships Initiative, the City of East Lansing is offering modest mini grant opportunities to neighborhoods to support a range of initiatives, including the installation of new signs and planters, beautification efforts, creation of special neighborhood events, community cleanups and more. The City of East Lansing has five, $250 mini grants available for neighborhoods that have been assigned a staff liaison as part of the Neighborhood Partnerships program. The funds must be used the same fiscal year (July 1-June 30) as it was approved.

Apply here

Questions? Please contact grants@cityofeastlansing.com

Personal Property Tax Abatement

The City can provide 100 percent abatement of personal property taxes for a period of up to 12 years for qualifying office or technology businesses. This program is administered by the City's Assessing Division of the Finance Department. For more information, including program guidelines and application forms, click here. Personal Property Tax Abatement Personal Property Tax Abatement Personal Property Tax Abatement Personal Property Tax Abatement Personal Property Tax Abatement

Poverty Property Tax Exemption

Resident’s meeting income limit and asset level tests set by the City of East Lansing may be eligible for a full or partial exemption of property taxes. This program is administered by the City's Assessing Division of the Finance Department. For more information, including eligible income-limits, program guidelines and application forms, click here. Poverty Property Tax Exemption Poverty Property Tax Exemption Poverty Property Tax Exemption Poverty Property Tax Exemption Poverty Property Tax Exemption

Principal Residence Tax Exemption

Individuals who own and occupy their home as their principal residence may claim an exemption from the 18 mills levied by the local school districts for operating purposes. This program is administered by the City's Assessing Division of the Finance Department. For more information, including guidelines and application forms, click here. Principal Residence Tax Exemption Principal Residence Tax Exemption Principal Residence Tax Exemption Principal Residence Tax Exemption Principal Residence Tax Exemption

Property Owner Assistance Program for Basement Backup Protection

This program is administered by the East Lansing Department of Public Works and Environmental Services and is available to eligible East Lansing residents and businesses. For more information, including eligibility criteria, program guidelines and application forms, click here.

Tax Increment Financing

This program is administered by the Community & Economic Development Division. The City of East Lansing utilizes tax increment financing (TIF) to encourage investment and redevelopment, improve the quality of life of East Lansing residents, create new jobs and maintain quality public assets. It is a financing tool used to help further East Lansing’s progress towards development goals established in the Master Plan, City Council priorities and other related strategic plans.

TIF is available through the East Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA), with approval from City Council, for the redevelopment of contaminated, functionally obsolete, historic, blighted or land bank owned properties. It uses an increase in the taxable value of the redeveloped property to reimburse a developer for certain eligible activities associated with the project.

Eligible activities under TIF may include costs for environmental studies, engineering & design, environmental clean-up, site preparation, and public infrastructure. These projects may also be eligible for Michigan Business Tax credit equal to 10-20% of eligible investment.

In addition to meeting eligibility for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Department of the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy required under the state brownfield TIF program, the City of East Lansing and BRA established project evaluation criteria evaluated at the local level.

For more information, visit the BRA webpage. Questions? Please contact grants@cityofeastlansing.com.