On paper, the 1989 announcement that Oscoda’s Wurtsmith Air Force Base would be closed had all the earmarking of an economic catastrophe.  Visionaries in the community, however, saw the base closure not as a catastrophe, but as a golden opportunity to build a healthier, more stable commercial and industrial economy for northeast Michigan. 

Today, the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Industrial Airpark is redeveloping and growing with new private sector and public agency businesses. The Oscoda-Wurtsmith Industrial Airpark represents a facility in which the US Air Force invested tens of millions of dollars over seven decades.  These site development investments include an 11,800 foot General Aviation public runway and some 250 buildings that range in size from 2,000 to over 150,000 square feet.  These properties are fully serviced with all necessary infrastructure and utilities to initiate and grow business operations.  Additionally, the State of Michigan has declared the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base as a Renaissance Zone.  The Renaissance Zone creates a unique tax haven for new or expanding businesses to capture attractive tax advantages such as – no Personal Income Tax, no Single Business Tax, No State Education Tax, no Real Property Tax and no Personal Property Tax.

For business site development information, please contact the Charter Township of Oscoda – Office of Economic Development.  Also, please visit our website at www.oscodatwp.com.

The AuSable Oscoda Industrial Park, the Tawas Area Industrial Park and the Tawas City Industrial Park also have properties available for development.  Each with convenient access, as well as unique features, can accommodate a variety of industrial needs.

For financing information, please contact the Iosco County Development Corporation.