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
  • Publications
  • 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
  • COVID-19 Workplace Safety
  • 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

COVID-19 Workplace Safety
Go to COVID-19 Workplace Safety

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
  • Publications
  • 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
  • COVID-19 Workplace Safety
  • 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 COVID-19 Workplace Safety
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/2020/07/07/michigan-small-business-restart-program-to-provide-100-million-in-grants-for-covid-19-recovery-effo
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

Michigan Small Business Restart Program to Provide $100 Million in Grants for COVID-19 Recovery Efforts

  1. News from LEO Agencies
  2. Michigan Small Business Restart Program to Provide $100 Million in Grants for COVID-19 Recovery Efforts

July 07, 2020

The Michigan Strategic Fund today approved a $100 million program that will provide grants to small businesses around Michigan working to recover from the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 virus, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced.

“This program puts federal funding to work for small businesses in Michigan hardest hit by the impact of COVID-19 helping to ensure they can keep their doors open and put critical protections in place for their workers and their customers,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Families across the state depend on small businesses for their livelihood, and the Michigan Small Business Restart Program will build on additional COVID-19 business relief efforts through the MEDC to create a strong foundation for Michigan’s long-term economic recovery.”

The State of Michigan has appropriated $100 million of federal CARES Act funding through SB 690, signed into law by Governor Whitmer last week, to implement the Michigan Small Business Restart Program to support Michigan’s small businesses that are reopening and have experienced a loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Michigan Strategic Fund today authorized distribution of the funding across 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) covering all 83 counties in the state to providing a base amount of $3.5 million per EDO for grants up to $20,000 each to support certain small businesses that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Participating EDOs are as follows:

  • InvestUP – $4,545,455
  • Networks Northwest – $4,545,455
  • Otsego County Economic Alliance – $3,500,000
  • Target Alpena – $3,500,000
  • The Right Place – $9,545,455
  • Lakeshore Advantage – $3,500,000
  • Middle Michigan Development Corporation – $3,500,000
  • Saginaw Future – $3,545,455
  • Flint & Genesee Chamber – $8,045,455
  • Lansing Area Economic Partnership – $5,545,455
  • Southwest Michigan First – $7,545,455
  • Ann Arbor Spark – $8,545,455
  • Oakland County – $11,045,455
  • Macomb County – $7,545,455
  • Detroit Economic Growth Corporation – $15,545,450

The Michigan Small Business Restart Program application will be live starting Wednesday, July 15 at michiganbusiness.org/restart and run through Wednesday, August 5. Funds can be used as working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other similar expenses.

To qualify for grant support, businesses must meet the following criteria, based on statutory requirements for the program:

  • Is a business or nonprofit that can demonstrate it is affected by the COVID-19 emergency
  • Needs working capital to support eligible expenses
  • Demonstrates an income loss as result of the COVID-19 emergency
  • Has not received a grant through the Michigan Strategic Fund’s Michigan Small Business Relief Program. Businesses who have received support through other COVID-19 relief programs, including the Michigan Small Business Relief Program loans, are eligible to apply for Restart grants.

Additionally, at least 30 percent of the funds awarded under the program must be provided to women-owned, minority-owned or veteran-owned eligible businesses. The MEDC anticipates that more than 5,000 businesses across the state will benefit from this program.

“With the outbreak of COVID-19, many small businesses have been faced with significant economic impacts, including challenges with cash flow and resources to support their workforce,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “The Michigan Small Business Restart program, combined with other Michigan Strategic Fund programs and services as well as local and federal economic development support, will enable small businesses throughout the state to address the short-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis while looking ahead to the long-term economic recovery needs of the state.”

Per statutory requirements, a monthly report will be provided to the legislature that includes a listing of grants awarded in the previous month and the name of the recipient of each grant provided under the program. All reporting forms will also be available on michiganbusiness.org/restart.

“The Michigan Small Business Restart grants will be an important part of the economic recovery of small business in Michigan,” said Brian Calley, President of the Small Business Association of Michigan, “This program leverages federal dollars to bring relief to entrepreneurs struggling with the effects of this global pandemic in a thoughtful way – including working through local EDOs to ensure resources are distributed in the most equitable and effective way for each region in the state.”

The Michigan Small Business Restart Program approved today is modeled after the Michigan Small Business Relief Program, approved on March 19 by the Michigan Strategic Fund to support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program consisted of a total of $20 million aimed at supporting businesses in need of immediate relief. The program included $10 million that was distributed to 15 local EDOs to provide grants up to $10,000 to certain small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Additionally, the program authorized $10 million for small business loans of not less than $50,000 and not more than $100,000 to eligible borrowers impacted by COVID-19 that were not able to seek alternative, suitable financing.

Under the Michigan Small Business Relief grant program, local EDOs selected more than 2,700 businesses across the state covering all 83 counties that received grant support expected to retain approximately 11,000 jobs. To date, more than 130 small business loans totaling more than $8 million have been approved through MSF delegated approval.

The Michigan Strategic Fund today also approved the $15 million Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant Program to support the needs of Michigan’s agricultural processors and farms. The program supports the implementation of COVID-19 monitoring and mitigation strategies to protect agricultural employees and the state’s overall food production industry. To learn more and see the grant application which goes live on July 15, visit here: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/press-releases/2020/07/$15-million-in-agricultural-safety-grants-to-provide-critical-relief-to-michigans-farms-and-food-processors.

With today’s action by the MSF Board, the MEDC has launched 17 COVID-19 relief and recovery programs supporting more than 3,100 business in the state and helping to retain more than 12,400 jobs across all 83 counties. To learn more about MEDC’s COVID-19 response programs and the impact they are having on economic recovery efforts, visit michiganbusiness.org/covid19response. Other resources for economic reopening efforts as well as businesses across Michigan struggling with economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 virus can be found online at michiganbusiness.org/covid19. 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.  

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.

MI Newswire Labor and Economic Opportunity Labor and Economic Opportunity

Related News

State Land Bank commits to support blight elimination and redevelopment in Benton Harbor

$4M in grant awards will help remove employment barriers for at-risk Michiganders

Access UIA's online resources when offices are closed for Memorial Day

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

Michiganders benefit from UIA reforms inspired by pandemic-era lawsuit

Hispanic/Latino Statewide Post-Secondary Graduation celebrates 2025 graduates

Professional Trades Month spotlights high-wage, in-demand career opportunities for Michiganders

Statewide Infrastructure Workforce Plan will train 5,000 new infrastructure workers by January 2030

Employers encouraged to explore Registered Apprenticeships to build a skilled and reliable workforce

MIOSHA Marks 50 Years of Protecting Workers

Follow us

Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Michigan Small Business Restart Program to Provide $100 Million in Grants for COVID-19 Recovery Efforts
Copyright State of Michigan
Copyright 2025 State of Michigan Mi.gov Home Policies Accessibility Disability Resources Statewide FOIA Directory Departments
Tracking Image