(WWJ) Michigan’s small businesses that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 restrictions may be able to receive a financial boost.
The eligible businesses will be able to apply for up to $15,000 in grants through the Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative beginning at 9:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, December 15, according to the Michigan Economic Development Coorperation.
Businesses will be rewarded on a “first-in” basis.
The Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative allocates $10 million of federal CARES Act funding to bolster Michigan’s small businesses that have lost income as a result of either the COVID-19 crisis or the recent Department of Health and Human Services epidemic orders (DHHS), extended until at least December 20.
This includes restaurants, bars, hotels/motels, live event venues, conference and meeting facilities, indoor recreation facilities, and fitness centers and gyms.
The grants may be used as working capital to help pay employees, rent, mortgage, or utility expenses.
“The Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative puts federal funding to work for many of the small businesses in Michigan hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in the release. “My administration will continue working to support our small businesses and their employees as they continue to navigate and persevere through this pandemic.”
The money is divided by region.
$3.5 million will be allocated to small businesses in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties.
Eligible businesses must:
-Be a business in one of the targeted industries
-Identify a need for payroll, rent, or mortgage payments, and/or utility expenses necessary to continue or restart business operations;
-Have at least two employees (including the owner) but fewer than 50
-Be a for-profit business, per HUD guidance
-Meet the HUD National Objective for Job Retention by retaining jobs that would otherwise be lost without assistance through employment verification
Additional eligibility requirements can be found on Michiganbusiness.org/relief.
Applicants must self-certify that they abide by all state and local orders related to COVID-19, including those issued by DHHS and county health departments. To see a full list of requirements, click here