New Michigan Small Business Grant Opportunity

July 13, 2020

Michigan Small Business Restart Grant Program 

In response to the economic impact of COVID-19, the State of Michigan has allocated $100 million of CARES Act funding to implement the Michigan Small Business Restart Program to support the needs of Michigan businesses directly impacted by COVID-19. The application for businesses to apply for funding will open on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. 

The MEDC anticipates that more than 5,000 businesses across the state will benefit from this program. 

The Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County has been selected by the State of Michigan to administer this grant program for St. Clair County. 

Grant Eligibility - See Below

 

• Businesses that did NOT receive a grant award under the Michigan Small Business Relief Program (MSBRP)
• Business and nonprofits with 50 or few employees, worldwide, located in Michigan
• Part of an industry or nonprofit that can demonstrate it has been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency
• Needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other similar expenses
• Demonstrates an income loss as result of the COVID-19 emergency as determined by the Michigan Strategic Fund

Application Process

There will be a single, statewide application for the Michigan Small Business Restart Program that will open on July 15, 2020 and run through August 5, 2020. 

The Michigan Small Business Restart Grant Program will be live starting Wednesday, July 15th at https://www.michiganbusiness.org/about-medc/covid19/restart/. 

Grant Amounts

St. Clair County applicants can apply for grants in the range of $5,000 to $20,000.

Eligible Expenditures

Grants must be used for expenditures made between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020 that meet the following criteria:

• Necessary expenditure incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19 (such as resulting from employment or business interruptions due to COVID-19)
• Working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, costs related to reopening a business or nonprofit, or other use authorized under the CARES Act

Minority Business Awards

At least 30% of the funds awarded under this program will be provided to women-owned, minority-owned, or veteran-owned eligible businesses. 

Additional program information is available HERE and in the attachments to this email. 

If you have any questions about this new grant program or your application, you are welcomed to contact Bruce Seymore II, EDA's Director of Business & Community Services, at (810) 294-7036 or bseymore@edascc.com.