$880,000 Small Business Support Hub 2.0 Grant Awarded to Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County

July 28, 2026

St. Clair County, Michigan – July 28, 2026  

Today, the Michigan Strategic Fund Board (MSF) approved the selection of 11 organizations in Michigan to serve as regional Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH), building on the success of SBSH 1.0, which was launched in 2023. The Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County (EDA) is among the announced awardees, receiving $880,000 to continue and expand the entrepreneurial programs it developed for Michigan’s 7-county Region 6.

MSF approved $11.3 million in state funding for the SBSH 2.0 program, with TechTown Detroit and Ann Arbor SPARK among other awardees in the metro Detroit Region. The program generated a high level of interest, with 115 total applications received.

In 2023, EDA launched the Eastern Michigan Small Business Network, which serves as the partnership model for the counties of Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, and Tuscola. The I-69 Small Business Development Center is a key partner in the initiative, providing critical small business counseling services and educational program to help small businesses launch and grow. Other strategic partners include the economic development agencies serving the counties in the region, 100K Ideas in Flint, and community-based foundations.

“The model EDA established in 2023 has proven to be very successful, helping hundreds of small businesses in the region,” said Dan Casey, EDA’s Chief Executive Officer. “The award of this grant validates our work, allowing us to continue to support entrepreneurs and create the next generation of small business within the communities we serve.”

About the Eastern Michigan Small Business Network:
The Eastern Michigan Small Business Network is a partnership of organizations committed to serving the needs of startup and small businesses in Michigan's central eastern region. The primary goal of the Network is to accelerate the entrepreneurial pathway to success.  As part of a recent $2.5 million Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program grant award from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the new Small Business Cohort aims to strengthen and improve our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and help people realize their dream of being self-employed.   This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0127 awarded to the State of Michigan by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. www.easternmisbn.com

About EDA of St. Clair County
The Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County is a private non-profit organization that creates economic prosperity by growing companies and cultivating vibrant communities.  The EDA is a full-service economic development agency working in the areas of business attraction, retention and expansion, community development, small business development, talent attraction and regional marketing. www.edascc.com