Skip to main content
Michigan Header Logo
LEO Labor and Economic Opportunity
Michigan Header Logo Michigan Header Logo
Labor and Economic Opportunity
  • Bureaus & Agencies
    Bureaus & Agencies collapsed link
  • Boards, Commissions & Councils
    Boards, Commissions & Councils collapsed link
  • LEO Initiatives
    LEO Initiatives collapsed link
  • About
    About collapsed link
  • News from LEO Agencies
Bureaus & Agencies
Go to Bureaus & Agencies
  • Bureau of Employment Relations
  • Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
  • Michigan Career & Technical Institute
  • Michigan Economic Development Corporation
  • Community & Worker Economic Transition Office
  • Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
  • Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • Michigan Rehabilitation Services
  • Michigan State Housing Development Authority
  • Office of Global Michigan
  • Office of Mobility and Electrification
  • Office of Rural Prosperity
  • State Land Bank Authority
  • Unemployment Insurance Agency
  • Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
  • Workforce Development
Bureau of Employment Relations
Go to Bureau of Employment Relations

  • Michigan Employment Relations Commission
  • Wage and Hour
Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
Go to Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

  • Broad Overview
  • BSBP Local Offices
  • BSBP Office Information
  • DeafBlind Services
  • Documents and Reports
  • Transition Programs
  • BSBP Advisory Commission
  • BSBP Resources
  • BSBP Training Center
  • BSBP Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Business Enterprise Program
  • Independent Living Services for Seniors
  • Pre-Employment Transition Services
  • Braille and Talking Book Library
Michigan Career & Technical Institute
Go to Michigan Career & Technical Institute

Michigan Career & Technical Institute

  • MCTI Locations
  • Business
  • Student Resources
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Go to Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Community & Worker Economic Transition Office
Go to Community & Worker Economic Transition Office

Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
Go to Michigan High-Speed Internet Office

Michigan High-Speed Internet Office

  • Michigan Digital Equity and Inclusion
  • MI Connected Future
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Contact Us
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Go to Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration

  • MIOSHA MTI Survey Page
  • About MIOSHA
  • Consultation Education and Training
  • Online Penalty Payment
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Reporting Fatalities and Injuries
  • Safety and Health Programs
  • Standards
  • Employer Assistance
  • Enforcement and Appeals
  • Topics
  • Resources
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Go to Michigan Rehabilitation Services

Michigan Rehabilitation Services

  • MRS for Individuals
  • MRS for Students
  • MRS for Businesses
  • Calendar
  • Legislative Reports
  • Disability Resources
  • STEMM-Up
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Go to Michigan State Housing Development Authority

Office of Global Michigan
Go to Office of Global Michigan

Office of Mobility and Electrification
Go to Office of Mobility and Electrification

Office of Rural Prosperity
Go to Office of Rural Prosperity

  • Events
  • Rural Readiness Program
  • Roadmap to Rural Prosperity
  • Rural Readiness Grant Program
State Land Bank Authority
Go to State Land Bank Authority

State Land Bank Authority

  • About Us
  • Partner Land Banks
  • Requests for Proposals and Qualifications
  • Reports and FAQ's
Unemployment Insurance Agency
Go to Unemployment Insurance Agency

Unemployment Insurance Agency

  • UIA Resources for Workers
  • UI Dashboard
  • UIA Resources for Employers
  • Tools & Resources
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Contact UIA
Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
Go to Workers' Disability Compensation Agency

Workers' Disability Compensation Agency

  • EDI
  • Employees' Information
  • Employers
  • Forms
  • Funds Administration
  • Health Care Services
  • Hearings and Appeals
  • Insurance Requirements
  • Resources and Reports
  • Self-Insurance
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
Workforce Development
Go to Workforce Development

Workforce Development

  • About Us
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Michigan Works!
  • Programs and Services
  • Registered Apprenticeships
  • Industry and Business
  • Workforce Professionals
  • Data and Public Notices
  • Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services
  • Education and Training
  • Veterans' Employment Services
  • Post Secondary Schools
Boards, Commissions & Councils
Go to Boards, Commissions & Councils
  • Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services
  • Michigan Employment Relations Commission
  • Black Leadership Advisory Council
  • Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs
  • Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
  • Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
  • Michigan Community Service Commission
  • Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification
  • Michigan Women's Commission
  • Michigan Workforce Development Board
  • MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network
  • Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission
  • Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission
Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services
Go to Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services

  • MCRS Events
Michigan Employment Relations Commission
Go to Michigan Employment Relations Commission

Black Leadership Advisory Council
Go to Black Leadership Advisory Council

Black Leadership Advisory Council

Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs
Go to Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs

Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
Go to Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan

Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
Go to Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission

Michigan Community Service Commission
Go to Michigan Community Service Commission

Michigan Community Service Commission

  • About MCSC
  • Volunteer!
  • Michigan's AmeriCorps
  • Governor's Service Awards
  • Mentor Michigan
  • News, Funding & Resources
  • Afghan Arrivals
  • Youth Initiatives
Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification
Go to Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification

Michigan Women's Commission
Go to Michigan Women's Commission

Michigan Workforce Development Board
Go to Michigan Workforce Development Board

Executive Order 2020-107 established Michigan Workforce Development Board

MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network
Go to MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network

MiSTEM convenes a statewide network of leaders in education, business and local communities to empower the next generation of innovators.

  • About
  • Why STEM?
  • Our Work
  • Regional Networks
  • Get Involved
  • MiSTEM News
  • Advisory Council
  • STEM Toolbox
Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission
Go to Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission

Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission

  • Financial Hardship Waiver (Section 62(a)(ii)) En Banc Decision (Owczarski dissenting) Issued on January 31, 2024
  • Info for MOAHR
  • Digest
  • Circuit Court Decisions
Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission
Go to Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission

formerly MI Compensation Appellate Commission

  • Current Statistics
  • FAQ
  • Policies
  • Resources
LEO Initiatives
Go to LEO Initiatives
  • All-Access Michigan
  • Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce Program
  • Mental Health in the Workplace
  • MI Funding Hub
  • Resources for Businesses
  • MI Small Business
  • Michigan Poverty Task Force
  • Skills to Work
  • Youth Employment
  • Workplace Rights
All-Access Michigan
Go to All-Access Michigan

Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce Program
Go to Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce Program

Mental Health in the Workplace
Go to Mental Health in the Workplace

  • Affecting the Workplace
  • In the Workplace
  • Individualized Behavior
  • Understanding the Impact
MI Funding Hub
Go to MI Funding Hub

Resources for Businesses
Go to Resources for Businesses

MI Small Business
Go to MI Small Business

Michigan Poverty Task Force
Go to Michigan Poverty Task Force

  • Opportunities for MI Nonprofits
Skills to Work
Go to Skills to Work

Youth Employment
Go to Youth Employment

Workplace Rights
Go to Workplace Rights

About
Go to About
  • Contact LEO
  • LEO Careers
  • Executive Leadership
  • Legislative Reports
Contact LEO
Go to Contact LEO

Contact for LEO divisions

LEO Careers
Go to LEO Careers

Executive Leadership
Go to Executive Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Susan Corbin
  • Jonathan Smith
  • Stephanie Beckhorn
  • Sean Egan
  • Kim Trent
  • Jason Palmer
  • Quentin Messer
  • Amy Hovey
Legislative Reports
Go to Legislative Reports

Legislative Reports

News from LEO Agencies
Go to News from LEO Agencies
  • Bureaus & Agencies
  • Boards, Commissions & Councils
  • LEO Initiatives
  • About
  • News from LEO Agencies
Back Bureaus & Agencies
  • Bureau of Employment Relations
  • Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
  • Michigan Career & Technical Institute
  • Michigan Economic Development Corporation
  • Community & Worker Economic Transition Office
  • Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
  • Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • Michigan Rehabilitation Services
  • Michigan State Housing Development Authority
  • Office of Global Michigan
  • Office of Mobility and Electrification
  • Office of Rural Prosperity
  • State Land Bank Authority
  • Unemployment Insurance Agency
  • Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
  • Workforce Development
Back Bureau of Employment Relations
  • Michigan Employment Relations Commission
  • Wage and Hour
Back Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
  • Broad Overview
  • BSBP Local Offices
  • BSBP Office Information
  • DeafBlind Services
  • Documents and Reports
  • Transition Programs
  • BSBP Advisory Commission
  • BSBP Resources
  • BSBP Training Center
  • BSBP Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Business Enterprise Program
  • Independent Living Services for Seniors
  • Pre-Employment Transition Services
  • Braille and Talking Book Library
Back Michigan Career & Technical Institute
  • MCTI Locations
  • Business
  • Student Resources
Back Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Back Community & Worker Economic Transition Office
Back Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
  • Michigan Digital Equity and Inclusion
  • MI Connected Future
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Contact Us
Back Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • MIOSHA MTI Survey Page
  • About MIOSHA
  • Consultation Education and Training
  • Online Penalty Payment
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Reporting Fatalities and Injuries
  • Safety and Health Programs
  • Standards
  • Employer Assistance
  • Enforcement and Appeals
  • Topics
  • Resources
Back Michigan Rehabilitation Services
  • MRS for Individuals
  • MRS for Students
  • MRS for Businesses
  • Calendar
  • Legislative Reports
  • Disability Resources
  • STEMM-Up
Back Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Back Office of Global Michigan
Back Office of Mobility and Electrification
Back Office of Rural Prosperity
  • Events
  • Rural Readiness Program
  • Roadmap to Rural Prosperity
  • Rural Readiness Grant Program
Back State Land Bank Authority
  • About Us
  • Partner Land Banks
  • Requests for Proposals and Qualifications
  • Reports and FAQ's
Back Unemployment Insurance Agency
  • UIA Resources for Workers
  • UI Dashboard
  • UIA Resources for Employers
  • Tools & Resources
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Contact UIA
Back Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
  • EDI
  • Employees' Information
  • Employers
  • Forms
  • Funds Administration
  • Health Care Services
  • Hearings and Appeals
  • Insurance Requirements
  • Resources and Reports
  • Self-Insurance
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
Back Workforce Development
  • About Us
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Michigan Works!
  • Programs and Services
  • Registered Apprenticeships
  • Industry and Business
  • Workforce Professionals
  • Data and Public Notices
  • Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services
  • Education and Training
  • Veterans' Employment Services
  • Post Secondary Schools
Back Boards, Commissions & Councils
  • Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services
  • Michigan Employment Relations Commission
  • Black Leadership Advisory Council
  • Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs
  • Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
  • Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
  • Michigan Community Service Commission
  • Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification
  • Michigan Women's Commission
  • Michigan Workforce Development Board
  • MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network
  • Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission
  • Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission
Back Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services
  • MCRS Events
Back Michigan Employment Relations Commission
Back Black Leadership Advisory Council
Back Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs
Back Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
Back Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
Back Michigan Community Service Commission
  • About MCSC
  • Volunteer!
  • Michigan's AmeriCorps
  • Governor's Service Awards
  • Mentor Michigan
  • News, Funding & Resources
  • Afghan Arrivals
  • Youth Initiatives
Back Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification
Back Michigan Women's Commission
Back Michigan Workforce Development Board
Back MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network
  • About
  • Why STEM?
  • Our Work
  • Regional Networks
  • Get Involved
  • MiSTEM News
  • Advisory Council
  • STEM Toolbox
Back Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission
  • Financial Hardship Waiver (Section 62(a)(ii)) En Banc Decision (Owczarski dissenting) Issued on January 31, 2024
  • Info for MOAHR
  • Digest
  • Circuit Court Decisions
Back Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission
  • Current Statistics
  • FAQ
  • Policies
  • Resources
Back LEO Initiatives
  • All-Access Michigan
  • Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce Program
  • Mental Health in the Workplace
  • MI Funding Hub
  • Resources for Businesses
  • MI Small Business
  • Michigan Poverty Task Force
  • Skills to Work
  • Youth Employment
  • Workplace Rights
Back All-Access Michigan
Back Build Michigan's Infrastructure Workforce Program
Back Mental Health in the Workplace
  • Affecting the Workplace
  • In the Workplace
  • Individualized Behavior
  • Understanding the Impact
Back MI Funding Hub
Back Resources for Businesses
Back MI Small Business
Back Michigan Poverty Task Force
  • Opportunities for MI Nonprofits
Back Skills to Work
Back Youth Employment
Back Workplace Rights
Back About
  • Contact LEO
  • LEO Careers
  • Executive Leadership
  • Legislative Reports
Back Contact LEO
Back LEO Careers
Back Executive Leadership
  • Susan Corbin
  • Jonathan Smith
  • Stephanie Beckhorn
  • Sean Egan
  • Kim Trent
  • Jason Palmer
  • Quentin Messer
  • Amy Hovey
Back Legislative Reports
Back News from LEO Agencies
        
/leo/news/2020/05/06/more-than-2700-businesses-around-state-awarded-total-of-10-million-in-michigan-small-business-relie
Back to Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

outline of the shape of Michigan state in teal color


Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

Popular on michigan.gov

  • Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Civil Rights
  • Environment
  • Health and Human Services
  • Natural Resources
  • Secretary of State

How Do I...

  • Register to Vote
  • Renew My License Plate
  • View assistance programs
Unsupported Browser Detected

The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. 

Supported Browsers
  • Google Chrome
  • Safari
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox

More than 2,700 businesses around state awarded total of $10 million in Michigan Small Business Relief Program grants

  1. News from LEO Agencies
  2. More than 2,700 businesses around state awarded total of $10 million in Michigan Small Business Relief Program grants

May 06, 2020

More than 2,700 small businesses around Michigan have been awarded a total of $10 million in grants by local economic development organizations through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. The program was launched to provide relief for small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

 

“The Michigan Small Business Relief Program grants were intended to provide critical capital to support the health and sustainability of the state’s small businesses, communities and workforce,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “By collaborating with our local economic development partners, we were able to deliver vital resources to small businesses all across Michigan.”

 

The grants under the Michigan Small Business Relief Program are intended to support businesses facing drastic reductions in cash flow and the continued support of their workforce and may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business.

 

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program grants, authorized by the Michigan Strategic Fund on March 19, were administered by 15 local and nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) around Michigan. The EDOs were selected through a competitive process based on capacity to administer the program and ensure coverage to small businesses in all 83 counties in Michigan.

 

Selected EDOs were responsible for reviewing applications of small businesses in their region and ultimately determining grant awards through the program. Each EDO established a review committee that could include representatives from local workforce agencies, local SBDC representatives, business and nonprofit leaders, among others. The full list of EDOs administering Michigan Small Business Relief grants, the counties they served, and the number of businesses supported is below.

 

Groovy Donuts of Lansing was awarded a $10,000 grant through the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), and the funds put the company in a much more stable position to meet its meet rent, utilities, and payroll obligations, according to founder Andrew Gauthier.

 

“Groovy Donuts is incredibly honored to have received a Small Business Relief Program grant. We are very relieved as well. The biggest concern for us remains the uncertainty of our world with COVID-19 as a part of our daily lives. Our way of life and how we are allowed to go about our daily routines can change by the hour and that sort of thing creates a lot of uncertainty for us, especially as small business owners,” Gauthier said. “While the grant we received isn't a silver bullet solution to the financial impact of the pandemic, it is a huge help in the fight to stay open for our community and our team. It also provided a crucial bridge for us while we applied for PPP funds, which it looks like we will receive. We thank the MEDC and LEAP for considering and selecting Groovy Donuts for this grant. We look forward to a time when we can return to ‘normal.’ In the meantime, we'll keep our doors open and make sure our staff and our valued customers are well taken care of.”

 

In addition to the $10 million in grant funds, the Michigan Strategic Fund also approved $10 million in loans through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program that are being referred to the MEDC from the local EDO partners. Those loan applications are currently being reviewed by a loan review committee including the Chief Business Development Officer and Senior Vice President of Business Development Projects as referrals are made from local EDO partners. All loans made through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program will be approved through Michigan Strategic Fund delegated authority and announced as they are finalized.

 

“This grant means so much to our small, longtime family-owned business. With these funds, we will be able to afford our inventory and keep our employees paid,” said Bruno Gervasi, owner of Ralph’s Italian Deli in Ishpeming. “I am so grateful to the Lake Superior Community Partnership and the MEDC for making this possible during such a challenging time. This is a real difference-maker for us.”  

 

Summary of grants allocated by local economic development organizations:
 

Applicant

Number of businesses assisted

Number of jobs retained

Amount

Counties Covered

 

Invest UP

 

    80

 

    *

 

$500,000

Keweenaw, Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Baraga, Iron, Marquette, Dickinson, Menominee, Alger, Delta, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac, Chippewa

 

Networks Northwest

 

    75

 

   741

 

$500,000

Emmet, Grand Traverse, Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Wexford, Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau

Otsego County Economic Alliance

    55

   419

$200,000

Otsego, Crawford, Roscommon, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda

Target Alpena

  116

    *

$200,000

Iosco, Alcona, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan

 

The Right Place

 

 173

 

1,557

 

$1,000,000

Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola

Lakeshore Advantage

    31

   387

$300,000

Allegan, Ottawa

Middle Michigan Development Corporation

  165

1,295.5

$200,000

Isabella, Gratiot, Clare, Gladwin

Saginaw Future

  209

 

    *

$400,000

Arenac, Bay, Midland, Saginaw

Flint & Genesee Chamber

  191

    *

$850,000

Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Tuscola, Sanilac, Huron

Lansing Economic Area Partnership

    60

   353

$600,000

Clinton, Eaton, Ingham

Southwest Michigan First

  145

1,721

$800,000

Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Berrien, Calhoun, Van Buren, Cass, Branch

Ann Arbor SPARK

  198

2,077

$900,000

Livingston, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe

Oakland County

   797

   *

$1,150,000

Oakland

Macomb Country

  123

1,449

$800,000

Macomb

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

  316

1,051.5

$1,600,000

Wayne County

TOTALS

2,734

 11,051

 

 

 

*NOTE: Not all EDOs requested jobs retention numbers from applicants.

 

The $10 million in grant funds leveraged an additional $3.185 million in matching dollars around the state through local economic development and foundation partners.

 

To see the full list of businesses that received MSBRP grants, visit https://www.michiganbusiness.org/about-medc/covid19/small-business-relief-program/.

 

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program grants builds on previous COVID-19 support announced through the MEDC, including:

  • The PMBC COVID-19 Emergency Access and Retooling Grants program, which awarded $1 million to 12 small manufacturers and non-profits in the state looking to retool and produce critical health and human service supplies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak
  • Collateral support through the Capital Access program that allowed National Filters to purchase equipment necessary to vastly increase surgical mask production begin producing N95 respirators as well as rehire 16 employees who had been previously laid off due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • The launch of MIpaycheckprotection.com in collaboration with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants to help 103,811 small businesses in Michigan receive more than $15.9 billion in forgivable loans during two rounds of Paycheck Protection Program funding.
  • Working with the Michigan Small Business Development Center to support Governor Whitmer’s successful request to the U.S. Small Business Administration for a statewide Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration, opening the opportunity to small businesses to access low-interest loans from the SBA.
  • The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) launched a new program providing a total of $502,400 in federal grants to Michigan’s eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations that have been negatively impacted as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

Other resources for businesses across Michigan struggling with economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 virus can be found online at michiganbusiness.org/covid19. This site includes resources offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, MEDC’s Access to Capital programs, the Pure Michigan Business Connect virtual procurement and donation platform, support services offered through the Small Business Development Center and more. The MEDC has also developed a FAQ for Michigan businesses and communities at michiganbusiness.org/covid19-faq.

 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.  

 

For those who have questions about the state’s actions to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, please call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-535-6136 between 8AM – 5PM daily.

 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

 

###

Quotes from local partners

Ann Arbor SPARK:

“Ann Arbor SPARK was able to quickly deploy $327,000 in grant funding in Washtenaw County and $168,000 in Livingston County, helping affected businesses,” said Ann Arbor SPARK President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Krutko. “We remain vigilant in our commitment to restoring and advancing the economy of our region by providing the resources and information the business community needs during this challenging time.”

 

Invest UP:

“We appreciate the intent of the funding that the MEDC worked quickly to pull together and the $500,000 that was allocated to us,” said Marty Fittante, CEO, InvestUP. “Small businesses are the backbone of the U.P. and these grants helped provide some financial support to 80 of them across the Upper Peninsula. Yet, this was only 10 percent of the total applications submitted reinforcing the ongoing demand and need for small business funding which was clearly illustrated through this process.”

 

Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP):

“Everyone at LEAP has been both inspired and heartbroken by the thousands of small business stories shared through the MSBRP grant applications. Our small businesses are a cornerstone of our regional economy and the fabric of our regional community—their pain is felt by us all,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “The MSBRP grant program has brought good news to many. These grants are a bridge, bringing in some cash flow and increasing the likelihood of a stronger re-opening in the future. The Lansing region is most thankful to Governor Whitmer and the MEDC for these desperately needed funds.”

 

Macomb County:

“Macomb County is grateful to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for making these dollars available as quickly as they did,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “Combined with a generous donation from First State Bank, we were able to assist nearly 150 businesses who in turn are able to retain some 1,600 employees.”

 

Networks Northwest:

“The economic disruption associated with the COVID-19 outbreak is having significant effects on businesses in Northwest Michigan,” said Networks Northwest CEO Matt McCauley. “This grant and loan program will contribute to our region’s economic resiliency and eventual recovery.”

 

Southwest Michigan First:

“Our region’s small businesses are led by community members whom we support and admire for all that they do. We want to ensure they come out of this with as much hope and opportunity as when they went in. These grant awards have made a tremendous impact on over 1,700 individuals here in Southwest Michigan, and their stories have been heartwarming to hear,” said Ron Kitchens, CEO and senior partner at Southwest Michigan First. “We thank everyone who participated in this process, the Michigan Strategic Fund and, in particular, Governor Whitmer for making these grant awards possible.”

MI Newswire Labor and Economic Opportunity Labor and Economic Opportunity

Related News

Claimants can access online unemployment resources on Fourth of July when UIA offices are closed

LEO awards $1M for 2025 school psychologist training program

State of Michigan Receives $1.5 Million Grant from Ballmer Group to Create Community Transition Playbook

Michigan ranks #1 nationally in adult credential attainment and serves more job seekers than any other Midwest state

Midland menopause event highlights increased need for women’s mid-life care, impact on workforce

Ann Arbor menopause event highlights increased need for women’s mid-life care, impact on workforce

MI Hub for Manufacturers Puts Michigan in the driver’s seat, helps businesses navigate economic, technological and global trade shifts

Claimants can access online unemployment resources when UIA offices are closed for Juneteenth

Going PRO Talent Fund Awards $16 Million in Grants to Support Worker Training Across the State

ICYMI: Let’s expand awareness, access to registered apprenticeships in Michigan

Follow us

Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
More than 2,700 businesses around state awarded total of $10 million in Michigan Small Business Relief Program grants
Copyright State of Michigan
Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) provides the connections, expertise and innovative solutions to drive continued business growth, build vibrant communities, create affordable housing, generate tourism and attract and retain key talent to fill Michigan’s vast pipeline of opportunities.

Sign-up for Email Alerts

Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics.

 

Michigan.gov/Vote

Quick Links

  • Contact Us
  • LEO Careers
  • LEO FOIA
  • LEO Legislative Reports

Agency Information

  • Boards, Commissions and Councils
  • Bureaus and Agencies

LEO Initiatives

  • All-Access Michigan
  • Community & Worker Economic Transition
  • Mental Health in the Workplace
  • MI Small Business
  • Michigan Poverty Task Force
  • Skills to Work
  • Workplace Rights
  • Youth Employment
Copyright 2025 State of Michigan Mi.gov Home Policies Accessibility Disability Resources Statewide FOIA Directory Departments
Tracking Image