If you have a small business in Detroit and lost revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may qualify for a new $7.25-million grant program announced by the City of Detroit and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC ).
The grants are up to $20,000 and for companies with up to 50 employees. The funds can be used for payroll, mortgage, utility bills, etc. Mayor Mike Duggan and DEGC CEO Kevin Johnson outlined the program at the Mayor’s briefing July 9.
There are some restrictions for the grants. The program is only for businesses that did not receive grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through DEGC earlier this year. However, the DEGC will work with those companies to identify other available funds.
The application process opens July 15 and closes August 5. Award recipients will be notified no later than Sept. 30. For information on the program and application process, go to michiganbusiness.org/restart.
In addition, business owners may contact DEGC for assistance with this grant and to learn about other business support programs and funds. To contact DEGC, call (844) 333-8249 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or go online to degc.org.
Detroit City Council Member Raquel Castañeda-López, Immigration Task Force members and Mayor Mike Duggan announced the award of a $750,000 grant to support undocumented residents impacted by COVID-19 at a news conference July 9.
The grant from Open Society Foundations (OSF) will establish the Detroit COVID-19 UndocuFund and is the result of a partnership with OSF, Council Member Castañeda-López, the Detroit City Council Immigration Task Force (ITF) and the City’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Open Society Foundations has partnered with 19 other major metropolitan cities in a nationwide economic relief effort to help immigrant communities impacted by COVID-19, and who are underserved by the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act.
The Detroit COVID-19 UndocuFund was strategically designed to funnel support to families through trusted community partners that work on the front lines with undocumented communities. The ITF selected the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC) as the fiscal sponsor and to manage the fund.
To ensure that the funds reach the undocumented individuals and families who qualify for the program, DHDC will work with the Islamic Center of Detroit, Global Detroit, African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs, and One Michigan to disburse the monies.
Detroit City Council Member Raquel Castañeda-López (center) is joined by Mayor Mike Duggan and members of the Detroit City Council Immigration Task Force for the July 9 announcement of a $750,000 grant to support undocumented residents impacted by COVID-19.
Mayor Mike Duggan today announced the launch of this year’s summer jobs program for more than 8,000 Detroit youth, marking the sixth year of the Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program. This year, 80 percent of positions are virtual to maintain social distancing.
The Mayor made the announcement at his briefing July 9, noting that this year sees the 46,000th summer job experience provided since launching the program in 2015. This year, $11.7 million was raised for the program.
Approximately 1,600 older youth will have in-person work experiences with employers in fields, such as masonry, supply-chain management, retail, healthcare and hospitality. The remaining 6,400 will have virtual experiences utilizing a variety of platforms allowing youth to immerse themselves in specific career pathways virtually, with many getting online with a free laptop or tablet, internet access and tech support.
To enable the digital program component, roughly 40% of youth participating in the virtual programs will receive a digital device and connectivity through Detroit Public Schools Community District’s ‘Connected Futures’ initiative. The remaining 60% will receive a device and connectivity through the contributions of sponsors.
GDYT youth will complete a total of 120 hours, earning a stipend of up to $1,200. Activities start this week and will run until late August.
There is still time to get on the list for the Detroit-only priority application for positions at the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) assembly plant under construction on Detroit’s east side. The next priority application window opened this week on July 6 for residents in 48213, 48214 and 48215 zip codes and then July 20 for the rest of Detroit.
FCA job readiness events are available online through Detroit At Work. Visit DetroitAtWork.com/FCA to learn how to sign up for job readiness online events or to log in to your account.
City officials also reminded the 3,522 Detroiters, who were invited to interview after the first wave of applications, to look for an email from FCA. On July 1, FCA will begin sending emails to schedule interviews. Those interviews will start July 13, with the jobs starting November 2020 – January 2021.
In addition, another 12,500 Detroiters, who are eligible to apply for a FCA job, should watch for an email containing an application link. Interviews for those in this category begin this fall, and jobs start in November 2020 - January 2021.
For more information, go to DetroitAtWork.com/FCA; call (313) 962-WORK or email fcasupport@detroitatwork.com.
FREE TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR DETROITERS
Detroit residents are encouraged to take advantage of free, virtual tax preparation and filing, especially if they haven’t received a federal stimulus check or are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Virtual tax preparation is a safe and reliable way for both Accounting Aid Society and Wayne Metro to prepare your federal, state and city tax returns without in-person contact and at no cost. Using a secure, IRS-approved software, virtual tax prep lets you use your smartphone, tablet, or computer’s camera and email address to upload your tax documents and electronic signature – without leaving your home.
Appointments can be scheduled online at www.unitedwaysem.org/virtualtaxprep. Federal, state and city taxes are due July 15.
|
