By K.D. Norris
After an announcement this week by Governor Gretchen Whitmer that the Michigan Strategic Fund had approved a $10 million grant program to provide up to $15,000 grants to small businesses “disproportionately” impacted the COVID-19 virus, a local business leader urged applications.
In an email today, Dec. 2, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce and its president/CEO Bob O’Callaghan urged small businesses to apply for the grants. And the WKACC detailed the types of businesses who can apply and what the grants can be used for.
“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,” according to the WKACC statement, which went on to detail “eligible” businesses.
The grants are meant for restaurants, bars and other food and beverage service providers; travel and tourism destinations including lodging providers; live event venues and movie theaters; conference and meeting facilities; ice skating rinks, indoor water parks and bowling centers; and gyms and fitness centers.
In the state’s earlier announcement, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation said the Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative will utilize federal CARES Act funding to award the grants.
“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,” Gov. Whitmer said at the time of the state announcement. “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.”
Businesses can apply for the grants starting Dec. 15, and grants will be awarded in amounts of up to $15,000 per eligible business on a “first-in” bases.
In addition to being one of the qualifying businesses, applicants must meet other eligibility criteria including being a for-profit entity (i.e., a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or LLC), having a physical establishment in the state but not being a home-based business, and providing goods or services to multiple clients or customers.
Businesses must also have had annual gross revenues in 2019 greater than $25,000, have at least two employees, including the owner(s) but less than 50 employees, including full-time and part-time.
In addition, according to the state, “applicants will be required to self-certify that they are following all state and local orders related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, those issued by DHHS and county health departments.”
For more information and, starting Dec. 15, businesses can apply for the grants at michiganbusiness.org/relief.
