Calling it “the most exciting prospect for Cass County in decades,” Congressman Fred Upton has issued a call for the U.S. Economic Development Administration to clear the path for development of a SMART Park in Cassopolis.
The St. Joseph Congressman has written a letter today urging the EDA to approve the forthcoming grant application from Midwest Energy and Communication Cooperative (MEC) to develop the Southwest Michigan Advanced Research and Technology Park in the Cass County community of Cassopolis. If approved, the project is projected to create more than 1,000 jobs and bolster the local economy in southwest Michigan.
Upton wrote in a letter to the EDA this morning, “It’s no secret that the ongoing pandemic has reduced economic growth and hurt American workers. The EDA has an opportunity to grow Southwest Michigan, increase development, and create good-paying jobs leading to more prosperity for the entire region.”
MEC’s SMART Park will be a 450-acre state-of-the-art rail and fiber served business venture that will accommodate commercial and industrial projects with a number of energy options and amenities that address the needs of future tenants and community residents.
In addition to Upton, both the Village of Cassopolis and the County of Cass have expressed support for the construction of the business park. The project will also lead to an increase in the tax base for the village and for Cass County.
Here is a link to the Congressman’s letter:
Upton-Letter-to-EDA-on-Cassopolis-SMART-Park
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of Midwest Energy and Communications Cooperative.
