Whole neighborhoods deteriorate, and more people and businesses flee. Cities contain many old industrial properties that were built and operated prior to enactment of environment laws, and a substantial number are contaminated. Businesses and citizens are deterred from locating in central cities principally for two reasons. Many believe that urban revitalization will not occur without economic incentives to draw businesses back into the urban areas. Consequently, government at all levels is implementing programs to attract business into urban areas and brownfields.
Businesses locating in the zone and employing zone residents receive tax benefits.
The cities of Flint and Muskegon and also Lake County have been designated as enterprise communities. This program has the same goals as empowerment zones but helps smaller cities and some economically depressed rural areas as well. The State of Michigan has also initiated several programs for urban revitalization. Brownfield Redevelopment Brownfields are a special problem. Current law makes brownfield owners pay for cleanup only if they caused the contamination.