Financings

Miller Canfield has the largest group of municipal finance specialists in the state of Michigan. The firm is known for its work in financing capital projects and infrastructure improvements, economic development and environmental response projects, as well as government and regulatory affairs, health care, housing, litigation, labor and employment, and local, state and federal tax.

The firm again ranks first among Michigan bond counsel law firms in the 2010 Bond Counsel Rankings by Thomson Reuters, recognizing the law firm for 125 long term new bond issues totaling $3.618 billion. The firm has been the number one-ranking bond counsel in Michigan every year in the ranking’s 30+ year history.  Nationally, the firm was recognized for 140 long term new bond issues totaling $3.724 billion.

The firm served as bond counsel in connection with the issuance by our client the City of Ecorse, Michigan, of $9.5 million of financial recovery bonds.  The deal was selected as the 2011 national Small Issue Deal of the Year by The Bond Buyer.  

Miller Canfield’s public finance practice consists of nearly 30 lawyers in Michigan and Illinois — including the largest group of public finance lawyers in Michigan — specializing in capital projects and infrastructure improvements, restructuring and economic development transactions for state and local governments, universities, hospitals, community colleges, school districts and special purpose authorities; securities, and tax law.  Earlier this year, the firm formalized a Sustainable Government Initiative focusing on helping municipalities and school districts address fiscal challenges and fundamental change while capitalizing on opportunities for increased efficiencies and innovation. The initiative features a cross-disciplinary team comprised of lawyers from the firm’s Public Law, Employment and Labor, Litigation, Employee Benefits and Pensions, Bankruptcy and Real Estate groups. 

Miller Canfield wrote opinions in 2010 on municipal bonds and notes across Michigan for purposes that included:

• Water supply system upgrades for Benton Harbor, Bruce Township, Buchanan, Village of Beulah, Cass County, Crystal Falls, Village of Dexter, Eagle Harbor Township, Escanaba, Village of Farwell, Gladwin, Harbor Beach, Howell, Inkster, Ionia, Ironwood, Isabella County, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe County, Muskegon County, New Haven, Pittsfield Township, Sault Ste. Marie, Westland, Williamston, and Ypsilanti Township
• Sewer system improvements for Adams Township, Franklin Township, Gaastra, Genesee County, Grand Blanc, Hancock, Village of Honor, Howell, Ionia, Ironwood Township, Ironwood, Village of L’Anse, Lapeer, Lathrup Village, Manistee, Marquette, Marysville, Menominee, Monroe County, Portage Township, Richmond, Stannard Township, Village of Union City, Westland and Williamston
• Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements for Bedford Township and the Village of Vernon
• School improvements for Avondale School District, Comstock Public Schools, Jackson Public Schools, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Mona Shores Public Schools, Roseville Community Schools, and the School District of the City of Detroit, including technology infrastructure and energy conservation improvements
• Drainage District improvements for the Groesbeck Park Drain Drainage District, North Shores Drainage District and the Swiss Gardens and Branches Drainage District
• University facility bonds for Michigan State University, Northern Michigan University, Saginaw Valley State University and the University of Michigan
• State Aid Revenue Notes for the Michigan Finance Authority benefiting over 200 schools
• Local Government Loan Program Revenue bonds for the Michigan Municipal Bond Authority
• Hospital revenue bonds for Bronson Methodist Hospital and William Beaumont Hospital Obligated Group
• Tax Anticipation Notes for Wayne County, the City of Kalamazoo and Melvindale
• Delinquent Tax Anticipation Notes for Calhoun County, Monroe County and Muskegon County
• Refinanced $838,745,000 of Airport Revenue Bonds for the Wayne County Airport Authority to achieve debt service savings
• $290,230,000 refunding bonds for the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
• Refunding bonds issued to achieve debt service savings for Chippewa County, Grosse Ile Township, City of Kalamazoo Hospital Finance Authority (Bronson Methodist Hospital), Macomb Township, Manchester, Muskegon, Novi, Saline, City of Saginaw Hospital Finance Authority (Covenant Medical Center), Sterling Heights, Utica Community Schools, Ypsilanti,  Wyoming and the City of Zeeland Hospital Building Authority (Zeeland Community Hospital)
• Fiscal Stabilization Bonds for the City of Detroit
• $200,000,000 Wayne County Building Authority Bonds for a new jail facility
• Convention Facility improvements for the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (Cobo Center)
• A new justice center for Inkster
• A new public safety headquarters facility for the City of Detroit
• Local and major street improvements in the Cities of Brighton, Douglas, Kalamazoo, Plymouth, Owosso, Manistee and Sterling Heights
• Recreation improvements for the City of Petoskey
• Library improvements for the City of Clawson
• Landfill improvements for St. Clair County
• City of Marquette and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority bonds for Founders Landing
• Mackinac Island State Park Commission Historical Facilities Bonds for the construction of a new exhibit and visitor services space and continued restoration of Fort Mackinac
• City of Midland methane recovery system from landfill and methane powered electric generating facility
• Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds for Clawson, Escanaba, Howell, Jackson Public Schools, Monroe, Muskegon County, Saginaw Charter Township and Wayne County
• Recovery Zone Facilities Bonds issued by the Lansing Economic Development Corporation for a parking facility for the new Accident Fund Insurance Headquarters in downtown Lansing
• Recovery Zone Facilities Bonds issued by the Michigan Strategic Fund for power plant improvements for The Detroit Edison Company and store improvements for The Kroger Co.
• Recovery Zone Facilities Bonds for an airport hangar in Battle Creek
• Single-Family Homeownership Revenue bonds issued for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority