Michigan Municipal League Named Statewide Administrator of Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative
Last week, The Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $10 million grant program to help meet the urgent needs of small businesses disproportionately impacted the COVID-19 virus. The Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative will utilize federal CARES Act funding to award grants of up to $15,000 to small businesses across Michigan, with applications being available beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET on December 15, 2020. The Michigan Municipal League will serve as the single, statewide administrator of the grant program reviewing applications across all prosperity regions in the state.
U.S. Small Business Administration Relief for Eligible Businesses Impacted by Cold Weather
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Friday that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is making Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million available to eligible small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits impacted by frost and freeze that occurred in May of this year. These loans are available in Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, Otsego and Wexford counties.
Applications are due to SBA no later than July 26, 2021. Applicants should apply online under SBA declaration #16760. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.
Free Webcast: Small Business E-Commerce Strategies
When brick-and-mortar shops closed during the pandemic, many of Michigan’s small business owners boosted their online presence and looked at other strategies to continue connecting with customers and sustain sales. At Noon tomorrow, Crain’s Detroit Business will host a free webcast featuring small business voices and MEDC leadership providing best practices for embracing e-commerce platforms, including how to effectively grow through social media, anticipate customer needs and keep up with the demand of e-commerce orders.
State Extends Epidemic Order 12 Days to Continue Stabilizing COVID-19 Surge
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has extended by 12 days the epidemic order that restricts indoor social gatherings and requires certain small businesses to remain closed to help flatten the curve of COVID-19. The additional 12 days will allow the department to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on the spread of COVID-19 across Michigan.
Small businesses that continue to be impacted by the epidemic order may qualify for emergency relief support through the Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative, which opens applications at 9 a.m. on December 15, 2020.
Michigan’s Leadership in Manufacturing Extended through Statewide Industry 4.0 Initiative
Working to extend Michigan’s national leadership in advanced manufacturing, today the MEDC announced a statewide effort to ensure 50% of Michigan manufacturers – or 6,200 businesses – are prepared to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies at some level by 2025. The state’s Industry 4.0 initiative includes efforts to drive awareness on the importance of Industry 4.0 readiness and technical support to help small- to medium-sized manufacturers adopt Industry 4.0 technologies through a partnership with Automation Alley and the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center.
Additional Resources Available Online
Access additional COVID-19 resources for businesses and communities by visiting michiganbusiness.org/covid19. Read more about programs supporting economic recovery for Michigan businesses by visiting michiganbusiness.org/covid19response.
Visit michigan.gov/coronavirus to find other valuable resources for employers, workers, residents and communities.
About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org
