Michigan courting Sears, newspaper reports

Hoffman Estates-based Sears Holdings Corp. is reportedly being lured to the Detroit metropolitan area with at least $50 million in tax incentives, according to a published report.

Citing two sources familiar with the talks, the Detroit Free Press reported Friday that the company was in discussions with officials from Wayne and Oakland counties and the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Two sites said to be considered were Regent Court, a Ford Motor office building in Dearborn, and the former Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan complex in Southfield, the newspaper reported.

Earlier in the week, The Washington Post reported that Sears was considering a move to locations near the nation's capital.

The Daily Herald reported on May 9 that Sears was considering North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and New Jersey, and that Hoffman Estates officials were seeking state approval to continue expiring property tax breaks as an incentive to Sears to stay.

Sears officials have said they are studying options but haven't committed to any plan.

Sears has had its headquarters at the Prairie Stone Business Park in Hoffman Estates since it moved from Chicago 20 years ago. A move could mean a loss of about 6,200 local jobs and another 9,000 ancillary jobs with nearby businesses, vendors and contractors, officials have estimated.