As Michigan moves into Phase Four of the Safe Start Plan, we are excited to see more of our businesses in Clare and Isabella counties open. 

We know that this has been an incredibly difficult time for our businesses and the communities they are located in. We don’t take that lightly. MMDC has and will continue to do everything we can to support businesses that call Middle Michigan home. 

Over the past three months, MMDC’s physical location may have been closed, but our staff continued to work on a variety of projects to mitigate the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our economy. From facilitating and securing grant funding for impacted businesses to developing new resources that will be applicable as our businesses start to reopen, MMDC has remained committed to our vision of being the primary economic driver for businesses, communities and industrial partners in Middle Michigan. 

Below, we highlight just a few of the projects we have been working on over the past three months and steps we plan to take as we work towards economic recovery as a region.

We appreciate your continued support of our organization. 

MMDC Secures $366,000 For Clare and Isabella Businesses and Non-Profits  Amid COVID-19 Crisis 

Middle Michigan Development Corporation was able to utilize our newly established foundation to secure funding from a variety of sources to support 105 businesses and organizations across Clare and Isabella County with grants and very-low interest loans. In total, we were able to secure $366,000 in funding for our region.

MEDC’s Small Business Relief Grant Program 
MMDC was one of 15 organizations across the state selected to facilitate the MEDC’s Small Business Relief Grant Program on a local level. Our organization worked closely with Gladwin County Economic Development Corporation and Greater Gratiot Development Inc., to review 558 applications that we received from businesses across our four counties. After establishing an objective review process and determining appropriate ways to distribute funds, we were able to provide 165 businesses with grants ranging from $250-$5000 across all four counties. Of those, 70 were businesses located in Clare and Isabella counties. 

Dow Chemical Company 
The Dow Chemical Company provided $20,000 to MMDC to further distribute funds to Isabella county based businesses and non-profits that applied for the Small Business Relief Grant Program, but did not qualify for the original grant. Through this fund, we were able to provide funding to six additional businesses and non-profits in Isabella County. 

Chemical Bank 
Chemical Bank also provided $10,000 to help support our efforts. Five additional businesses in Clare County and five additional businesses in Isabella County that had applied for the Small Business Relief Grant Program were approved to receive funding by the Middle Michigan Development Foundation board. 

Clare County Community Foundation 
An additional $15,000 was provided by the Clare County Community Foundation. Fifteen additional businesses in Clare County received a $1000 grant as a result of this generous contribution. 

Match on Main COVID-19 Response Program 
Although funding decisions will not be announced until June 10th, 2020, MMDC assisted both the City of Mt. Pleasant and the City of Harrison with the application process for the Match on Main COVID-19 Response Program. This program would allow each approved community to distribute up to $50,000 in grant funding to businesses located within a traditional downtown area that had not received prior funding. 

MMDC Continues to Meet with Manufacturers through Virtual Retention Visit Program 

Our team has remained committed to the industrial companies we serve, continuing to schedule retention visits with company leaders even though we are unable to meet in person. 

Joining us for each call has been Brenda Flory, our region’s MEDC Business Development Manager, and Brian Roberts, our Department of Defense Rural Specialist/Field Coordinator. On these calls, we’re not only able to get a first-hand perspective of the impact the COVID-19 epidemic and response has had on our businesses locally, but are able to share relevant resources and tools that uniquely support each business. 

As businesses continue to open up, we will remain available to meet either in-person or virtually depending on what works best for each business. 

MMDC Launching Place-Based Retention Visit Program This August

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, its become increasingly clear that our place-based businesses are essential to our overall economy. As such, we will begin scheduling retention visits with our place-based businesses later this summer and are looking to develop a Place-Based Recovery Task Force with our partner organizations. 

A place-based business is one located in a traditional downtown or high-impact corridor, contributing to the vibrancy of a community.  

We know that a vibrant town is an important factor for attracting talent, and our place-based businesses play a role in the development of those types of places. As a region, we are very fortunate to have many partners already working in this space and we look forward to working more closely with them as we move forward together.

Looking for Additional Resources? 

Looking for additional resources to support your organization or business? Visit the MMDC blog for an up-to-date list of resources available. 

Good News From Across Middle Michigan