November 2023

27 Organizations Selected to Serve as Regional Small Business Support Hubs Across Michigan

Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced earlier this month that 27 organizations were selected to serve as entrepreneurial hubs across Michigan, providing comprehensive resources and support to the state’s small businesses.

The hubs will also offer targeted support to family-owned and rural businesses to drive resiliency in a rapidly evolving economic climate. The Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program received approval  from the Michigan Strategic Fund in June, following the passage of the $75 million Small Business Smart Zones and Business Accelerators initiative by the Michigan legislature in February. The program is funded by a one-time appropriation using American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) dollars to create and operate programs to support small businesses.  

Grantees:

• Region 1, Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation ($3,426,316), Lake Superior Community Partnership, Inc ($3,426,315), and Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation ($1,426,315).
• Region 2, Traverse City Center for Entrepreneurship ($3,300,000).
• Region 3, Target Alpena Development Corporation ($2,149,239) and Otsego County Economic Alliance, Inc ($1,136,859).
• Region 4, Muskegon Innovation Hub at Grand Valley State University ($1,796,721), Start Garden Inc ($3,426,316), and Grand Rapids Nehemiah Project ($2,426,316).
• Region 5, Central Michigan University Research Corporation ($3,426,316).
• Region 6, Flint & Genesee Chamber Foundation ($2,366,356) and Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County ($2,500,792).
• Region 7, Lansing Economic Area Partnership ($3,426,316).
• Region 8, Battle Creek Unlimited, Inc ($3,300,000) and Can-Do Kalamazoo dba Can-Do Kitchen ($1,926,315).
• Region 9, Ann Arbor SPARK ($3,426,316) and Lean Rocket Lab ($1,400,000).
• Region 10, Operations School ($2,815,115), Tejara ($3,426,316), Detroit Economic Growth Association ($3,426,316), Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit ($3,426,316) and Velocity SmartZone ($1,800,000).

Request for Presenters - 2024 Small Town and Rural Development Conference

Rural Partners of Michigan (RPM) seeks innovative and engaging speakers and presenters focused on rural economic development at our 2024 conference from April 29 - May 1, 2024, at Crystal Mountain Resort. This event aims to inspire and equip practitioners and advocates with the community economic development strategies needed to advocate for their communities and build a prosperous and equitable rural Michigan for all.

Interested presenters should submit their proposal by the end of the day on Monday, December 4, 2023 through this google form.

State of Michigan Housing Data Portal

Rural Resources and Opportunities

Economic Development

Rural Development Fund Grants – Request for Proposals currently open! MDARD provides grant opportunities to promote the sustainability of land-based industries (tourism, food and ag, oil and gas, mining, forestry). Grants of up to $100,000 will support infrastructure development, rural capacity building, business development, and talent development and training. Proposals are due January 9, 2024. See the website for application details and examples of previously awarded projects. https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/business-development/grantfund/rural-development-fund-grants  

MEDC Match on Main - applications open January 2024! Match on Main is a reimbursement grant program, provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, that serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding to support an eligible small business through an application submitted, administered, and managed by the local unit of government, downtown development authority, or other downtown management or community development organization where the business is located. The next informational webinar is on December 1, 2023, and the application window will be open January 15 – February 23, 2024. More information can be found at: Match on Main | MiPlace

Housing and Community Development  

MSHDA Housing Readiness Grants – Be ready to apply!  MSHDA will soon be announcing new housing readiness grants to cover the costs associated with adopting land use policies, master plan updates, zoning text amendments, and similar actions to encourage increasing housing supply and affordability. The application process will open in December and MSHDA will begin accepting applications on a rolling basis. Start conversations now, identify projects that align with your Regional Housing Partnership plan, and be ready to apply soon!

Blight Elimination Program – Round 4 – Deadline approaching soon! The State Land Bank Authority has opened a Request for Proposal for Round 4 of the Blight Elimination Program. This is a competitive grant.  In areas served by a land bank authority, the land bank authority must serve as the lead applicant for grants within its jurisdiction. In areas not served by a land bank authority, a county, city, village, or township may apply for a grant directly. Proposals are due December 8, 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the Blight Elimination Program website.    

MSHDA Housing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) information – See the website for more details on utilizing the new Housing TIF tool, including a recording of a MSHDA hosted informational session. MSHDA Housing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program (michigan.gov) 

MSHDA Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP): The Neighborhood Enhancement Program will provide up to $2 million in MSHDA funding statewide for activities directly tied to stabilization and enhancement of Michigan’s rural communities and urban neighborhoods. For program details and to access the NEP Round 9 application submission instructions, please MSHDA’s NEP website: www.michigangov/NEP  

Infrastructure

Join the Michigan Infrastructure Council’s Asset Management (MIC) Champions Program – MIC is welcoming a new cohort of infrastructure leaders into the Asset Management Champions Program. The interactive training program combines asynchronous education, facilitated discussions and industry learning into a professional certificate from MIC. It will run from January 23rd – April 11th, 2024, and requires ~25 hours to complete. The program is entirely funded by MIC and is free for participants. Apply here by January 12, 2024.

Health

Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH): Help engagement efforts to inform Michigan’s Rural Health Equity Plan - Join MCRH as they engage with rural residents through a brief survey to better understand the utilization of state assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, Housing Vouchers, Veteran Services, etc.) in rural communities. MCRH is looking for individuals who live in Alpena, Kalkaska, Newaygo, Montcalm, Sanilac, Iosco, Hillsdale, Chippewa, Schoolcraft, Baraga, and Iron County to participate. Please spread the word, or to register as a participant, visit the website. Survey closes December 1, 2023. Participants will receive a $25 Visa Card. 

Environment and Energy

EGLE – Watershed Council Grant Program $600,000 in funding is available under the Watershed Council Grant Program to support individual grants of up to $40,000 (no match required) for general organizational support, conservation, and educational activities. Watershed Councils, 501c3s, local and tribal government and academic institutions are eligible to apply. An informational webinar will be hosted on November 28, 2023 and proposals are due January 19, 2024. For more information: Watershed Council Support RFP FY 2024 (michigan.gov)

EGLE Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Program EGLE announced $250,000 in available grant funding through the Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Program. The goal of the grants is to accelerate the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy on farms, agriculture-related entities, and rural businesses. The maximum individual grant award amount is $25,000. Applicants must provide a minimum of 100 percent match of the total requested grant funds. The program will accept applications until all funds are committed, or March 3, 2024, whichever comes first. Please see the Request for Proposals for more information on eligibility, examples of eligible projects, and scoring criteria.

What’s Next

The Office of Rural Development (currently housed within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)  will become the Office of Rural Prosperity (housed within the Department of Labor and Economic Development) on December 1, 2023. You'll continue to receive our Office updates and information about rural resources and opportunities.