Building permits are just one small indicator of the economy.
The water tower is really the benefit that interests the township.
It will grow customer traffic to the whole business retail area, and draw shoppers from adjacent areas like Highland and Milford who might not normally come into Hartland.
Anytime you have a big box like Target, it generates traffic and improves the demographics for other stores to come and take advantage of.
The loan process is very much like the process for applying for a state Community Development Block Grant.