Michigan’s small businesses have faced unique challenges this year, but they remain vital to the fabric of Michigan’s communities and economic prosperity. When our local businesses thrive so do our communities, families, schools and economy. Governor Whitmer proclaimed September 20 – September 26, 2020 as Michigan Small Business Week to recognize the thousands of small businesses across the state that keep Michigan’s economy strong and our communities united.

Since March, MEDC has launched 19 COVID-19 response programs that are anticipated to support more than 10,000 businesses throughout the state by the end of the year, while retaining more than 21,000 jobs. Additionally, 42 percent of support has gone to businesses in historically disadvantaged communities.

A report published this summer shows 85 percent of Michigan’s venture-backed startups are run by men. Yet, leaders in the venture capital (VC) community agree that finding funding sources to build a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem is a priority. Hear from Michigan women who have found funding to bring their ideas to life – and from women in the VC community who are working to be the change. Join MEDC and Crain’s Detroit Business for a free webcast on October 1 at noon.

The country recently recognized the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women the hard-earned right to vote. This milestone established a foundation for a century’s worth of achievements, bringing us ever closer to true equality. Today, women across the country are breaking records in representation, making up 10 percent of the CEOs in Michigan’s venture-backed startups and 7.2 percent of those heading Fortune 500 companies nationally. Yet it remains clear from these figures alone that we still have much farther to go until we reach true gender parity for half our population. MEDC’s Chief Operating Officer, Amanda Bright McClanahan, recently wrote an op-ed for the Grand Rapids Business Journal about what the state is doing to increase support for women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is helping businesses recover from the immediate effects of COVID-19 and build resilience for the future. The Michigan SBDC offers one-on-one business consulting, on-demand and online training, and market research to small businesses in all 83 counties of Michigan. All SBDC services are available at no cost.

Thanks to funding from the CARES Act, SBDC has expanded its service offerings to reflect the needs of small businesses affected by the pandemic.

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.