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Michigan’s small businesses impacted by the recent COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask orders” can begin applying for $55 million in Michigan Small Business Survival grants through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. EST. The program was authorized by the Michigan Strategic Fund and announced by MEDC on Jan. 14.
To help businesses prepare, resources including the application questions, a video tutorial on how to apply, and instructions for registering in the application platform prior to Tuesday morning are available on www.michiganbusiness.org/survival. That same landing page is where the single, statewide application will go live on 9:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, January 19 through 12:00 p.m. (noon) ETS on Friday, January 22, 2021.
CLICK HERE to watch the video tutorial on how to apply
“We encourage all eligible small businesses to visit the program landing page before they apply and review the application, watch the video tutorial and gather the information they need to ensure a streamlined application process,” said Josh Hundt, Chief Business Development Officer and Executive Vice President at the MEDC. “We have seen the urgent need for these resources for small businesses across the state, and we are committed to getting these resources deployed across the state efficiently and with the greatest impact possible.”
The Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program was signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to meet the urgent need of Michigan small businesses that have experienced a significant financial hardship since the “gatherings and face mask orders” went into effect. Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to businesses that are fully closed, with grants of up to $15,000 awarded to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact.
The Michigan Small Business Survival Grants will be administered by 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) covering all 83 counties across the state. All submitted applications will be reviewed by the EDOs based on eligibility requirements and local priorities and objectives. Grants will not be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
For the convenience of applicants, an electronic queue system will also be in effect once again with businesses entering the queue prior to entry into the application. Businesses will be able to sign up to receive an alert when they have reached the front of the queue with 15 minutes to start the application once they have been notified that they have reached the front of the queue.
Businesses must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- Had 1 to 100 employees (including full-time, part-time and owner/employees) on a world-wide basis on November 17, 2020.
- Is in an industry that demonstrates it is affected by the “gatherings and face mask orders.”
- Needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses.
- Can demonstrate an income loss as a result of the orders as determined by the EDO in which an eligible business is located.
- Is not a live music and entertainment venue that is eligible for the Michigan Stage Survival grant
Individual EDOs may have additional eligibility requirements, which businesses will be able to access from the michiganbusiness.org/survival landing page. EDOs will also have discretion on grant awards up to the maximum of $20,000 for businesses that are fully closed and $15,000 to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact.
To read the full announcement, visit here.
In total, the MEDC has now launched 23 COVID-19 relief and recovery programs that have supported more than 18,500 businesses in the state and helped to retain nearly 147,000 jobs across all 83 counties. To learn more about MEDC’s COVID-19 response programs and the impact they are having on economic recovery efforts, visit michiganbusiness.org/covid19response. Other resources for economic reopening efforts as well as businesses across Michigan struggling with economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 virus can be found online at michiganbusiness.org/covid19.
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