16 new businesses and 10 alumni businesses will receive reimbursable grant funds to help their businesses grow and thrive
(Flint, Mich., May 14, 2025) – Wednesday, the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance welcomed a new cohort of the Moving Flint Forward grantees. The funding, intended to help local businesses grow and thrive, was awarded to 16 new businesses and 10 Moving Flint Forward alumni thanks to a 2024 General Motors (GM) grant.
“We are grateful to be able to support 26 businesses located in Flint through the newest round of this program,” says Tyler Rossmaessler, executive director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance. “Thanks to General Motors, we can help these businesses continue to succeed in our region.”
New businesses will receive $10,000 and alumni businesses will receive $5,000 to help with expenses such as building and property improvements, equipment, inventory, raw materials, licensing and permits, marketing and promotions, and training programs. This support can make a difference for a local business, like EZ Awareness by Design owned by Eric Patrick Thomas, who is excited to use this grant to purchase new equipment, buy more stock in bulk, and market his business more.
“All of this will help us produce more sales and help us grow,” says Thomas. “Which is what we want with Moving Flint Forward. You don’t want to stay in an idle position; you want to keep moving forward.”
Thomas continues to improve his business to help him grow. Last year, he missed out on a grant opportunity through the Economic Alliance’s Small Business Support Hub. But through feedback given to those who did not receive grant funding, Thomas reached out to Terance Green, a business support manager with the Flint & Genesee Small Business Hub, who was able to give him advice and resources to strengthen his business plan and ultimately open him up to new grant opportunities.
“If you keep doing the same thing, you’ll get the same results,” says Thomas. “Working with Terance, he was able to mentor me. I am glad he was able to work with me to develop my grant writing better.”
The full list of new grantees includes:
- CKK Services, INC
- Eaton Media LLC
- Epic Technology Solutions LLC
- EZ Awareness by Design
- Happy Camper Ice Cream LLC
- John L Financial Services
- Leni Kei Photography
- Lord Laird’s, LLC
- Out of Line Collective
- Paul’s Pipe Shop and Pipe Hospital LLC
- PawPaws Pickles LLC
- Pop Mod Photo
- Queens’ Provisions
- Slice Pizza and Pies
- The N Look Hair Nail Salon
- Vaniawala Pediatrics PLLC
Alumni grantees for this round include:
- 448 Saginaw LLC
- 810 Comedy Improv
- Adams Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation LLC
- Elle Jae Essentials
- Harris Family Health
- I Love Pig, INC
- The Junk Pirates
- Suggs Sweet Treats
- Synergy Beauty Studio
- Tee’s Plentiful Salads
More information about the Moving Flint Forward Small Business Grant Program is available at DevelopFlintandGenesee.org/Moving-Flint-Forward.
About General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.
About Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance
The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, a division of the Flint & Genesee Group, is the lead economic development organization for Flint and Genesee County. To build a more vibrant local economy, the Economic Alliance provides tools, resources, and guidance to local companies of all sizes and stages to support their growth. The division also promotes available sites, workforce, and unique assets to attract growth-oriented businesses to Genesee County. For more information, visit DevelopFlintandGenesee.org.
