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Kurt M.
Brauer

  • Partner
kbrauer@wnj.com
Detroit
T 313.546.6182
M 248.320.0207
F 313.263.6855

My admin

While I work very well with clients on my own, I also play a quarterback role when situations warrant. That is, I bring in the right people and build a team of experts and thought leaders with the skill sets necessary for the issue at hand. I then shepherd everyone through the different stages of the matter. I’m doggedly enthusiastic. My approach is always to jump in, work hard and keep working until we get the job done, and done well.

Skillfully managing a broad, multifaceted practice, Kurt Brauer assists clients with environmental and economic development matters across many industries, including the agribusiness, automotive, manufacturing, resource-use, energy, mining and real estate development sectors. He establishes rapport with his clients early on and forges strong relationships that enhance his ability to represent them as effectively as possible.

industries

practices

  • Assisted the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce in securing and monetizing financial incentives for a complete rehabilitation of the former Owosso Armory. At over100 years old, the Armory sat vacant and unused for more than a decade after the 144th National Guard Unit moved to a modern facility. Of note, also serving as a community center, Grand Funk Railroad and Alice Cooper played the Armory. Federal Historic and New Markets Tax Credits were paired for the first time in the NTCIC “Small Deal Fund” initiative focusing on mains streets, and a host of state and local incentives rounded out the package.
  • Facilitated the expansion of Michigan’s largest soy-bean processer by securing a financial incentive package totaling almost $30 Milli
  • Assisted the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce in securing and monetizing financial incentives for a complete rehabilitation of the former Owosso Armory. At over100 years old, the Armory sat vacant and unused for more than a decade after the 144th National Guard Unit moved to a modern facility. Of note, also serving as a community center, Grand Funk Railroad and Alice Cooper played the Armory. Federal Historic and New Markets Tax Credits were paired for the first time in the NTCIC “Small Deal Fund” initiative focusing on mains streets, and a host of state and local incentives rounded out the package.
  • Facilitated the expansion of Michigan’s largest soy-bean processer by securing a financial incentive package totaling almost $30 Million, allowing it to invest $130 Million in Gratiot County, create more than 70 new jobs and provide the capacity to process almost 50% of Michigan’s soybean crop.
  • Assisted in the sale of a Florida trash collection and hauling business, providing guidance on sell-side due diligence, permit transferring and negotiation of post-closing liabilities.
  • Represented Genesee County in establishing Michigan’s first county Land Bank Fast Track Authority and developed a county-wide brownfield plan resulting in the cross-collateralization of tax increments to support a $5 million bond issuance.
  • Assisted a Michigan’s largest private wetland mitigation bank developer in acquiring property and negotiating approvals for several wetland mitigation banks in Michigan.
  • Provided economic and environmental services to a Holland Township co-packer to facilitate its expansion.
  • Assisted a pharmaceutical manufacturer in obtaining more than $10 million in financial incentives to expand R&D and production facilities.
  • Assisted the City of Bay City in developing numerous sites across the city, most notably helping it to redevelop 45 acres on the City’s downtown waterfront, including creation of a public-private partnership entity, sale of city-owned land, securing financial incentives, obtaining environmental permits, and relocating high-voltage utilities and other infrastructure.
  • Assisted Fortune 150 Tier I automotive supplier in obtaining more than $15 million in financial incentives to redevelop its global headquarters in Michigan.
  • Assisted Michigan municipalities in various economic development matters, including Brownfield Redevelopment, Michigan Business Tax Credits, Michigan’s Commercial Rehabilitation Act, Michigan’s Downtown Development Authority Act and Community Development Block Grants.
  • Assisted a developer in obtaining more than $10 million in brownfield incentives for the construction of a LEED-certified private college apartment facility serving a Big Ten school in Michigan.
  • Assisted a food co-packer in obtaining more than $4 million in property tax abatements, MEGA MBT Job Creation tax credits and CDBG funds for the construction of a new plant and associated wastewater facilities in West Michigan, and in securing a wetland permit that included reclaiming over 20 acres of wetland for offsite mitigation.
  • Assisted in locating a major film production studio in Southeast Michigan.
  • Assisted in establishing Michigan’s first Commercial Rehabilitation District.
  • “Our Friend the Brownfield,” Michigan Economic Developers Association ‘In Your Place’ Spring Conference, May 24, 2024
  • “Leveraging Incentives and Grants to Accelerate the Transition from ICE to EV/Hydrogen,” Warner Virtual Roundtable — EV Charging Stations at Your Company: Key Opportunities and Considerations,
  • State Bar of Michigan Environmental Law Section: 2022 Fall Joint Environmental Conference, November 9, 2022, Lansing, Michigan
  • “Real Estate and Environment Issues in the Cannabis Industry,” Warner In-Person Event, June 15, 2022, Detroit, Michigan
  • “Reusing Vacant Office Space, Filling Vacant Space Throughout Michigan Caused by COVID,” Michigan Economic Developers Association Webinar, October 8, 2020
  • “P3 Session” and “Michigan Mobility 2045 and the Future of Supply Chain,” Michigan Economic Developers Association Annual Meeting, Marquette, Michigan, August 15-16, 2019
  • Food and Licensed Beverage Business Legal Issues, Techstars Startup Week Detroit, June 19, 2018. Presented on topics facing startup businesses in the Agribusiness sector, including company formation, financing, economic incentives and business counseling, contracting and other issues
  • “Financial Incentives for the Automotive Industry,” The Automotive Suppliers’ Guide to 2017: Legal Trends and Insight for the New Year, OESA Seminar, Troy, Michigan, February 2, 2017
  • Fall Wetlands and Easements Seminar, presentation to Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors regarding state of wetlands law in Michigan, November 7, 2014
  • 2014 Midland Environmental Law Briefing, Midland, Michigan, August 6, 2014
  • Summer Workshop 2014, Michigan Local Government Management Association, Bay City, Michigan, July 24, 2014
  • I-69 Automotive Suppliers Forum, Owosso, Michigan, July 15, 2014
  • “Finding and Securing Economic Development Incentives,” Warner Webinar, April 30, 2014
  • “Wetland Mitigation and Environmental Risk Management,” Michigan Nature Association, March 15, 2014
  • Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, February 19, 2014
  • Michigan Economic Developers Association Capitol Day, February 18, 2014
  • “Top Ten Issues for Brownfield Reimbursement Agreement – Perspectives of Developer and Municipality,” 2013 Michigan Brownfields Outlook and Training, Lansing, Michigan, February 21, 2013
    • In law school he was a senior articles editor and contributed four articles to the Wayne Law Review
    • In law school he was a senior articles editor and contributed four articles to the Wayne Law Review
    Image for Kurt M. Brauer

    Kurt M.
    Brauer

    • Partner
    kbrauer@wnj.com
    Detroit
    T 313.546.6182
    M 248.320.0207
    F 313.263.6855

    My admin

    Biography|
    Credentials

    While I work very well with clients on my own, I also play a quarterback role when situations warrant. That is, I bring in the right people and build a team of experts and thought leaders with the skill sets necessary for the issue at hand. I then shepherd everyone through the different stages of the matter. I’m doggedly enthusiastic. My approach is always to jump in, work hard and keep working until we get the job done, and done well.

    Skillfully managing a broad, multifaceted practice, Kurt Brauer assists clients with environmental and economic development matters across many industries, including the agribusiness, automotive, manufacturing, resource-use, energy, mining and real estate development sectors. He establishes rapport with his clients early on and forges strong relationships that enhance his ability to represent them as effectively as possible.

    industries

    practices

    • “Our Friend the Brownfield,” Michigan Economic Developers Association ‘In Your Place’ Spring Conference, May 24, 2024
    • “Leveraging Incentives and Grants to Accelerate the Transition from ICE to EV/Hydrogen,” Warner Virtual Roundtable — EV Charging Stations at Your Company: Key Opportunities and Considerations,
    • State Bar of Michigan Environmental Law Section: 2022 Fall Joint Environmental Conference, November 9, 2022, Lansing, Michigan
    • “Real Estate and Environment Issues in the Cannabis Industry,” Warner In-Person Event, June 15, 2022, Detroit, Michigan
    • “Reusing Vacant Office Space, Filling Vacant Space Throughout Michigan Caused by COVID,” Michigan Economic Developers Association Webinar, October 8, 2020
    • “P3 Session” and “Michigan Mobility 2045 and the Future of Supply Chain,” Michigan Economic Developers Association Annual Meeting, Marquette, Michigan, August 15-16, 2019
    • Food and Licensed Beverage Business Legal Issues, Techstars Startup Week Detroit, June 19, 2018. Presented on topics facing startup businesses in the Agribusiness sector, including company formation, financing, economic incentives and business counseling, contracting and other issues
    • “Financial Incentives for the Automotive Industry,” The Automotive Suppliers’ Guide to 2017: Legal Trends and Insight for the New Year, OESA Seminar, Troy, Michigan, February 2, 2017
    • Fall Wetlands and Easements Seminar, presentation to Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors regarding state of wetlands law in Michigan, November 7, 2014
    • 2014 Midland Environmental Law Briefing, Midland, Michigan, August 6, 2014
    • Summer Workshop 2014, Michigan Local Government Management Association, Bay City, Michigan, July 24, 2014
    • I-69 Automotive Suppliers Forum, Owosso, Michigan, July 15, 2014
    • “Finding and Securing Economic Development Incentives,” Warner Webinar, April 30, 2014
    • “Wetland Mitigation and Environmental Risk Management,” Michigan Nature Association, March 15, 2014
    • Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, February 19, 2014
    • Michigan Economic Developers Association Capitol Day, February 18, 2014
    • “Top Ten Issues for Brownfield Reimbursement Agreement – Perspectives of Developer and Municipality,” 2013 Michigan Brownfields Outlook and Training, Lansing, Michigan, February 21, 2013
      • In law school he was a senior articles editor and contributed four articles to the Wayne Law Review
      • In law school he was a senior articles editor and contributed four articles to the Wayne Law Review