Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, General Motors launch grant program’s fifth year

(Flint, Mich., Feb. 19, 2024) Today, Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance and General Motors (GM) opened applications for the fifth round of Moving Flint Forward. Thanks to funding from GM, the small business grant program will award 17 grants of up to $10,000 each to eligible Flint businesses that are new to the program. Additionally, seven Moving Flint Forward alumni are eligible to receive up to $5,000 each.

This latest round will bring GM’s total support of the program to nearly $1.2 million. Since 2019, 68 businesses have participated in the Moving Flint Forward program, through which they have received critical financial and wraparound support.

“At General Motors, we honor Flint’s heritage of innovation,” said Heidi Magyar, executive director of Corporate Giving. “Together with the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, we look forward to supporting the growth of the impressive businesses shaping Flint’s future.”

Awarded on a competitive basis, Moving Flint Forward grants must be used to advance the businesses’ operations, such as expansion projects, making repairs or leasehold improvements, purchasing inventory and equipment, or facade improvements. They cannot be used for payroll, rent, staffing, mortgage payments, or debt service on any federal, state, or local taxes owed.

The program also connects grantees to resources that will help bolster the capacity of their businesses beyond the grant period. Grantees are required to participate in cohort meetings, where they have access to networking opportunities and workshops on various topics related to running a business.

“Small businesses are the foundation of our economy and play a key role in making Flint a great place to live, work, and play,” said Tyler Rossmaessler, executive director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance. “By investing in these businesses with capital, technical assistance, and other forms of support, we can better ensure their success and – as the program name suggests – move Flint forward.”

The grant program is open to anyone who owns and operates a small business within the city of Flint. Small businesses for this program are defined as having 20 or fewer employees and may not be a franchise operation.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. March 15, 2024 and will be reviewed by a committee comprised of representatives from GM, the Economic Alliance, the City of Flint, local grant-making organizations, and community members. Grant recipients will be notified the week of April 22.

Technical assistance will be provided to assist with the application process, implementation, and tracking of grant activities to ensure requirements are met and businesses are using funds appropriately.

An informational webinar, covering eligibility requirements and use of funds for prospective applicants, will be held Feb. 27 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. The live stream will be accessible on both YouTube and the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance Facebook page.

The team will also host a virtual office hours on March 1 from 10 to 11 a.m. Registration is required for the online session.

In-person office hours will be held March 4 and March 11 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Berston Field House, 3300 Saginaw St., Flint.

For questions about the application or grant program, contact Tracy at tjoseph@flintandgenesee.org by March 13. Please allow at least one full business day for response.

To apply, visit DevelopFlintandGenesee.org/Moving-Flint-Forward.

About the 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 FlintandGenesee.org, and check us out on Facebook and LinkedIn.