DETROIT (WXYZ) — April Anderson, co-owner of Good Cakes and Bakes in Detroit, says her business has managed to take the heat from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There definitely has been a drop in our revenue because there's been a lot of catering which instantaneously just disappeared when everything shutdown," Anderson said.
While wholesale and online orders have picked up, she says the shop's indoor and community space is still closed to customers because it's not set up to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
So, when she learned about a grant opportunity through Wayne County, she applied. Anderson says she learned she'd receive $20,000.
Anderson said, "We were extremely grateful because we know what this $20,000 infusion into our business will do. It will allow us to be able to get the (PPE) items that we need. It allow us to buy the supplies that we need to put on the counters, without having to use any of the small amount of working capital that we have."
"We're gonna change our counters. We're gonna actually take away some of the bakery space. So when customers come in they'll be faced directly to the counters. We'll put up glass," she explained.
Khalil Rahal, Assistant Wayne County Executive said, "Today, we've already awarded out almost $28 million."
He says the county's received almost 4,000 grant applications. These are applications from small businesses that will receive federal Cares Act money and now the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. MEDC is providing additional funding of $7.5 million.
"They've got workers. They've got utilities. They've got rent, and they've got to keep up with all those things. This money will help them get a little bit of breathing room. A little bit of a lifeline," Rahal explained.
The county says there's still time to apply but not much longer. Click here if interested.
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