Running the River: A Proof-of-Concept Study for Funding Improvements and Programming for the Shiawassee River Water Trail Using Tax Increment Financing

Abstract

This report is a proof-of-concept study of tax increment financing (TIF) as an option for providing stable and predictable funding for programming, improving, and maintaining water trails, conducted for the Shiawassee River Water Trail Coalition. This project assesses various amendments to Michigan law that might be made to authorize the creation of water trail TIF districts; it evaluates existing funding mechanisms for recreational trails; and it identifies and assesses four potential models of TIF structure using geospatial, financial, equity, and legislative analyses. We also conducted a survey, created a rendering of an accessible kayak launch site plan, and developed four water trail case studies.