MUSKEGON, Mich. - We've heard for years the emerging marijuana industry could bring much needed cash to Michigan cities. Now we have proof of that in Muskegon.
"It's a great deal," said City Manager Frank Peterson.
Tuesday, Aug. 14, leaders finalized a deal to sell six acres of city-owned land for $300,000 to MTC Enterprises. The land is located in Muskegon's Seaway Industrial Park which has not been very attractive to investors in the past.
"We've been looking for ways to re-energize the area, it's use and productivity and this hopefully fits the bill," said Mayor Stephen Gawron.
A dispensary, processing center and grow house are in the plans for the area. The developer is looking to create up to 100 new jobs on the property. And if the state takes more than 120 days in issuing a license, the developer will pay Muskegon $3,000 a month.
"These folks are going to need approval from us and then approval from LARA at the state level and there is no guarantee that either of those things can happen, so there is protection for us that we held the land for them when another owner could have bought it," said Peterson.
Muskegon's Planning Commission has four more applications that have been submitted from other medical marijuana businesses.
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