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Bay Future Focus for May 2020

May 7, 2020

Michigan Business Network

President & CEO’s Message from Trevor Keyes, EDFP Bay Future, Inc.

Over the last month, our staff has been working to help quickly allocate funds to small businesses in Bay County. We are thankful for the philanthropic support of Dow, providing $500,000 to the Great Lakes Bay Region (read press release here) as well as the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Small Business Relief Program for providing $400,000 to Arenac, Bay, Midland, and Saginaw Counties (read press release here).

We received nearly 1,400 applications (350+ applications from Bay County companies) for grants that are being distributed to businesses in Arenac, Bay, Midland and Saginaw Counties. This is certainly a true measurement of the pain in our community at this time.

These applications were scored and selected based on guidelines set by the MEDC, including the company’s location in a downtown or high impact corridor, financial information, working capital needs, and employment status. With the need highly outweighing funding available, applications were thoroughly evaluated with conscientiousness and thoughtful consideration. These were not decisions that were taken lightly.

Through these programs, we were able to allocate $180,000 to 59 Bay County small businesses. The remaining applications received will be held as we continue to work toward additional funding being made available. We have also forwarded on qualifying applicants to the small business loan review committee through the MEDC.

For our friends working at nonprofits, there is additional local assistance available to you, the Bay Area Community Foundation has established a Nonprofit Operating Support Loan Program with $250,000 funds available and a maximum amount of $20,000 per request. More information can be found here.

We truly thank and appreciate you and your business for your time and for your commitment to our community. Bay Future, Inc. will continue to work tirelessly to bring resources and aid to our Bay County businesses that will allow for economic sustainability and growth, now and in to the future.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions. We are not all in the same boat, but we are all in the same storm together.

Happy reading and stay safe,

-Trevor Keyes, EDFP

President & CEO

Bay Future, Inc.

Featured Content

Taking a closer look at Bay City’s future salt bring mining operation

Wilkinson Minerals, who announced a planned investment of $50 million dollars, will soon drill 4,000 feet below Bay City into a giant reservoir to pump out 450 gallons a minute of salt brine.

Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Hampton Township Community Survey

Hampton Township is in the process of developing an Economic Development Plan that will guide the Township’s future economic planning efforts. A crucial piece of this process includes gathering community feedback to hear the voice of residents and those working in the Township.

Watch the video below with a message from Hampton Township Supervisor, Terri Close, or click here to learn more.

Hampton Township was awarded a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for coal-impacted communities. The goal is to identify a plan for Hampton Township following the closures of Consumers Energy Weadock (2016) and Karn (2023) coal plants. The Economic Development Plan will point to a future guided by statistics and numbers, based on data and trends. This is a solid base for the planning work and it’s important, but it also needs insight and understanding from the people who know thecommunity best.

This short, 15-question survey asks for your input. Please take a few moments to complete the survey here. We need your help to plan the future!

Survey will be closed May 25, 2020

Program Highlight

The MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grant Program awards qualifying employers a dollar-for-dollar match – up to $5,000 – to purchase safety and health-related equipment and equipment-related training. The goal of the program is to create a safer and healthier work environment and reduce the risk of injury and illness to workers in Michigan. For more information on this grant and others, visit https://michigan.gov/mioshagrants .

How To Apply

To apply, complete the MIWISH application at https://michigan.gov/mioshagrants

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the MIWISH grant or application, please contact :

Telephone: (517) 284-7811

Email: BirsenS@michigan.gov

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