The grant application for small businesses will open on December 15, 2020. Grants will be awarded in the amount of up to $15,000 per eligible business on a “first-in” basis. Grant funds will assist eligible small businesses directly impacted by COVID-19 meet urgent working capital needs including payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments and utility expenses in the following industries:

• Restaurants, bars and other food and beverage service providers
• Travel and tourism destinations including lodging providers and hospitality businesses
• Live event venues and movie theaters
• Conference and meeting facilities
• Ice skating rinks, indoor water parks and bowling centers
• Gyms, fitness centers and indoor recreation facilities

Because this Initiative is funded through federal CARES Act dollars distributed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the Michigan Community Development Block Grant program , businesses must satisfy the HUD National Objective for job retention in order to receive funding.

The business must document that at least 51% of positions will be held by low to moderate income persons or in the case of microenterprises (five or fewer employees) that the business owner is a low to moderate income individual. 

Please note:

• Application opens on December 15th at 9:00 a.m. This grant will be handed out on first come first serve basis. Make sure to do this first thing in the morning! 
• This grant program will be handled by the Michigan Municipal League Foundation for the entire state.
• Region 3, which consists of 11 counties( Alcona, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, Iosco, Otsego, Crawford, Roscommon, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda) will have $400,000 for grants (approximately 27 grants will be handed out at $15,000 each). There is no mandate to make sure each county within Region 3 has businesses that get funded.

To prepare for the application process, take some time to review the following information: Application Questions and Instructions. 

Once the application starts, it has to be finished and submitted. If you need more information, about his grant, please visit the Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative website by clicking the button below: