(WXYZ) — Michigan small businesses disproportionately impacted by the pandemic will be able to apply for a grant program through the Michigan Strategic Fund. Grant awards will be available for up to $15,000 for 650 small businesses thanks to the $10 million grant.
“As we continue to take necessary precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19, many of Michigan’s small businesses are experiencing additional strain, particularly now during the holiday season and heading into winter,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “We are fully committed to supporting our small businesses and their employees across the state as they navigate and persevere through this pandemic. By putting this federal funding to work, we can provide immediate assistance to those businesses hardest-hit by the pandemic. As we continue fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, I will continue to listen to medical experts and do everything in my power to protect our families, frontline workers, and small businesses.”
Applications are being accepted through 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2 for eligible nonprofit organizations interested in administering the grants. Small businesses can submit applications at www.michiganbusiness.org/relief. The application period for small businesses to apply for grants begins Dec. 15.
To qualify for grant support, businesses must meet a number of criteria, including but not limited to:
- Being a business in one of the targeted industries;
- Identifying a need for payroll, rent, or mortgage payments, and/or utility expenses necessary to continue or restart business operations;
- Having at least two employees (including the owner) but fewer than 50;
- Additional eligibility requirements can be found on Michiganbusiness.org/relief.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
Visit our The Rebound Detroit, a place where we are working to help people impacted financially from the coronavirus. We have all the information on everything available to help you through this crisis and how to access it.