Bay City, Mich. – Bay Future, Inc. on behalf of the City of Bay City and Downtown Bay City, was
awarded $50,000 in grants aimed at supporting the COVID-19 economic recovery efforts of small businesses through the Match on Main COVID-19 Response Program developed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Sixteen businesses located in downtown Bay City will receive the funds. 22 Michigan communities throughout the state will receive
nearly $1 million in grants and 299 businesses will receive assistance.

“Match on Main will provide funding to small businesses in Bay City that make our community
unique and create the vibrant downtown that both our residents and visitors enjoy,” said City
of Bay City Manager, Dana Muscott. “We’re hopeful that these funds will give businesses the
boost they need as they begin reopening and operating in the COVID-19 recovery.”

In May, the MEDC announced an expansion of the existing Match on Main program to assist
small businesses experiencing hardship from the COVID-19 outbreak. The program was opened
to all 286 engaged and certified Redevelopment Ready Communities. Bay Future, Inc. applied
on behalf of the City of Bay City to receive the funding. Prior to BFI submitting an application,
downtown businesses were provided the opportunity to be included in the application.

“We are excited to be recipients of this grant as we know so many of our small businesses are
hurting right now,” said BFI President & CEO, Trevor Keyes. “We’re thankful that the MEDC
selected BFI’s application to the Match on Main program and that we have great partners
within the City of Bay City and Downtown to get these funds to businesses who need them.”

Earlier this month, the MEDC also announced, MI Local Biz, a matching grant program which is
a donation-based crowdfunding platform to generate public interest to raise funds to assist
small businesses negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis. More than 100 small businesses
around Michigan were selected to participate in the program, four Bay County businesses were
selected. Those businesses include Base Camp Fitness, Bay City Boat Lines, Bemo’s Bar, and
Regent Floral & Mercantile.

The MEDC Press Release can be viewed here

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Established in 2004, Bay Future, Inc. is a public-private alliance of government, business and other organizations that support economic growth in Bay County and the Great Lakes Bay Region. Bay Future, Inc. is dedicated to facilitating economic development strategies that promote and secure opportunities for business retention, growth, and the attraction of new industries that create quality jobs for community residents.