Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative
Tuesday December 8, 2020
The Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative will utilize federal CARES Act funding to provide $10 million in grants to meet the urgent need of Michigan small businesses disproportionately impacted the COVID-19 virus.
Grant Information for Small Businesses
The grant application for small businesses to apply will open on December 15, 2020 at 9:00 A.M. ET. Grants will be awarded in the amount of up to $15,000 per eligible business on a "first-in" basis. Grant funds will assist eligible small businesses directly impacted by COVID-19 meet urgent working capital needs including payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments and utility expenses in the following industries:
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Restaurants, bars and other food and beverage service providers
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Travel and tourism destinations including lodging providers and hospitality businesses
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Live event venues and movie theaters
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Conference and meeting facilities
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Ice skating rinks, indoor water parks and bowling centers
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Gyms, fitness centers and indoor recreation facilities
These federal CARES Act dollars were distributed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Michigan Community Development Block Grant program. To qualify for grant support, businesses must meet eligibility criteria including but not limited to:
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Being a business in one of the targeted industries listed above
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Must be in compliance with all State and local orders related to COVID-19, including, but not limited, to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
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Be a for-profit entity (i.e., a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or LLC)
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Have a physical establishment in the Michigan County of Application and is NOT a home-based business
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Provide goods or services to multiple clients or customers
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Be current, or in a payment plan, on all local, state, and federal taxes due through 1/1/2020
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Have an active and valid state license(s)/registration(s), if applicable
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Is not an adverse party to litigation involving the State or municipality
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Business or Business owner has not filed for bankruptcy in the last 10 years
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Can identify a need for payroll, rent or mortgage payments, and/or utility expenses necessary to continue/restart business operations relative to the total grant amount
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Had annual gross revenues in 2019 greater than $25,000
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Has at least two employees, including the owner(s)
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Has fewer than 50 employees (including full-time, part-time, and owner(s) on a world-wide basis)
More Information and Resources
For the full list of requirements and for more information, please review the following documents:
- Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative Program Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Press Release Announcement
Grant Administrator Selection
The application for grant administrators is now closed. MEDC has selected Michigan Municipal League Foundation (MML) as the statewide grant administrator for the Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative.
MML will review submitted applications from all prosperity regions once the application window opens on December 15, 2020. The table below provides funding allocations per prosperity region.
Grant Timeline:
- December 15, 2020: Application window opens at 9:00 A.M. ET
- Early January 2021: Small business grantees notified of awards
- Mid-late January 2021: Grant funds disbursed by MML
Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative
Counties included in each prosperity region and allocation amounts are listed below.
| Region | Counties Included | Funding Allocated (Dollars) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Region 1 | Keweenaw, Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Baraga, Iron, Marquette, Dickinson, Menominee, Alger, Delta, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac, Chippewa | $500,000 |
| 2 | Region 2 | Emmet, Grand Traverse, Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Wexford, Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau | $500,000 |
| 3 | Region 3 | Alcona, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, Iosco, Otsego, Crawford, Roscommon, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda | $400,000 |
| 4 | Region 4 | Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa | $1,300,000 |
| 5 | Region 5 | Clare, Isabella, Gratiot, Gladwin, Midland, Saginaw, Bay, Arenac | $600,000 |
| 6 | Region 6 | Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair | $850,000 |
| 7 | Region 7 | Clinton, Eaton, Ingham | $600,000 |
| 8 | Region 8 | Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Branch | $800,000 |
| 9 | Region 9 | Livingston, Washtenaw, Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe | $900,000 |
| 10 | Region 10 | Oakland, Macomb, Wayne | $3,550,000 |
Information from MEDC