LANSING – Some people might hear the word “renaissance” and think of swords, crossbows and catapults, but when businesspeople hear the word, they think “opportunity.”

A Senate bill could give the city of Grand Rapids the chance to establish a renaissance zone for a portion of the Steelcase Inc. manufacturing site, exempting the owners from certain taxes, which would then be repaid by the state.

After furniture manufacturer Steelcase announced that it would consolidate its manufacturing operations into Kentwood and Gaines Township, the company began discussing with state officials the status of its approximately 250 acres of soon-to-be vacated land, said Jeanine Holquist, public relations manager for Steelcase.

“The bill doesn’t benefit us at all,” said Holquist. “We just want to make sure we help to get the best and most attractive neighbor.

“We still have our headquarters here in Grand Rapids adjacent to the property we’re selling, and we also want to benefit the city in replacing that tax base they’re losing in the best way possible,” she said.

Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming, introduced the bill.

“There’s a need for revitalizing the land and property that’s in Grand Rapids,” said Ari Adler, Sikkema’s press secretary.

The bill could theoretically be used to create a renaissance zone in any area of the state that met its criteria, but these sorts of bills generally target a specific area, Adler said.

The bill is pending in the Commerce and Labor Committee. “It’s the Senate majority leader’s bill. We’ll get this done,” Adler said.