The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is seeking applications for the Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant program to support the seafood processing sector. Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, this program provides relief and assistance to eligible seafood processing facilities and processing vessels in response to the ongoing impacts from COVID-19. The grants will provide cost reimbursement for eligible expenditures that occurred between Jan. 27, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed legislation expanding access to quality, affordable childcare for families and cutting the red tape for childcare businesses. This week, Governor Whitmer also awarded $368 million in grants to childcare programs across the state. Over 5,500 childcare programs received funding through the second round of the Child Care Stabilization Grant. These funds will keep programs open for business and provide $1,000 bonuses for full-time staff.

A recent episode of The Michigan Opportunity podcast features Dawn Batts, Capital Strategist at TechTown Detroit. Batts joins host Ed Clemente as they discuss angel investors, and the diverse community of investors who seed scalable consumer, enterprise and life science companies. She has a background in finance and anthropology and is a co-founder of Commune Angels. Learn how she is using her experience to find 200 new angels in the Great Lakes area. You can also read the transcript from the conversation.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation helps to connect businesses to new resources, meet new partners and access the additional capital they need from the start. If your business needs support to reach its new potential, the MEDC is available to help. Visit michiganbusiness.org/pure-partnership to find customized business assistance.

MEDC continues to support businesses and communities across the state. Learn more about our economic and recovery resources currently available or read more about the impact our programs are having and our COVID-19 response.