Livonia Local Launch Pad
You don't have to look long in Livonia to find a shuttered shop with a "For Lease" sign across its window. The city needs these spaces filled to both create an increased tax base, as well as draw entrepreneurship to our city. I do not have a background in running a business, however, I don't believe that should stop anyone from coming up with an idea to make Livonia a place that encourages small business. To that end, I have created the framework for a potential plan that utilizes existing staffing a resources as to not require additional tax funding.
Three Pillar Approach
Targeted Tax Credit Progam
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Incentive Structure: Offer a one- or two-year local tax credit (or fee rebate) to qualifying new small businesses that locate in designated areas (ex. under-served corridors or long-vacant commercial districts). For example, Livonia could refund a percentage of the new business’s City taxes or licensing fees for the first 1–2 years. Credit awards would be capped per business and per year to stay within budget.
Pop-Up Shop Pilot Program
Establish a pilot pop-up program for entrepreneurs to test retail concepts in real space. City-owned or partner-owned storefronts (vacant malls or strip spaces) would be offered as 2–6 month pop-up leases at nominal cost.
Virtual Vacancy Map
Develop a Livonia “Vacancy Map” that publicly lists available retail/commercial units. Each listing would include address, size, zoning/use, and landlord contact info. Entrepreneurs could browse vacancies by area and sign up for alerts. We could integrate this into the current Livonia City website.
No plan is perfect and there could be issues with these ideas that I have not yet considered. I am open to discussion of potential plans in order to help Livonia grow economically. I understand that this can not be done alone, and I will strive to always work along side my fellow council members should you elect me to this office. More importantly, I will work with every citizen of Livonia. We can get more done together.