State and Local Resources
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation released the Employee Assistance Grant Program to provide support to employees impacted by the MDHHS Gathering and Face Mask Order that took effect on November 18, 2020. Eligible recipients can receive up to $1,650 but funds are given on a first-first serve basis. Applications open on January 15th, 2021 and will close January 25th, 2021. For more information please visit: mrlaef.org/money
The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). For more information, please visit: sbam.org.
The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) offers COVID-19 support, videos, tax information and other useful tools to navigate business plans. Please visit: mrla.org/coronavirus or contact 800-968-9668.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC). For more information, please visit: michiganbusiness.org/services/access-capital or contact 888-522-0103.
The Michigan Small Business Development Center. For more information, please visit: sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19.
The Women’s Business Centers (WBC’s) are a national network of more than 100 centers that offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance and mentoring to women and minority small business owners. Great Lakes Women’s Business Council is Michigan’s 11th District regional center. To contact them, please call (734) 677-1400 or email info@greatlakeswbc.org.
The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center works with small and mid-sized manufacturers to develop creative strategies for business growth and greater profitability, particularly during times of transition. Recently, Congress temporarily lifted the cost-share requirements for manufacturers as they deal with COVID-19 pandemic impacts, allowing these services to be accessible for small businesses who may not have the funds to pay for services. For more information please visit their website: the-center.org/Contact-Us.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has many initiatives designed to help support the COVID-19 economic recovery efforts of small businesses and traditional downtowns throughout the state. These initiatives include:
- The Michigan Strategic Fund Awardee Relief Initiative is intended to provide temporary relief to Michigan Strategic Fund borrowers, grantees and other incentive awardees. Relief will vary based on a case by case review of requests. You can find more information here: michiganbusiness.org/about-medc/covid19/msf-awardee-relief-initiative/
- Michigan’s State Trade Expansion Program offers financial assistance for exporting activities to eligible Michigan small businesses, enabling access to global markets and buyers while increasing the dollar value of Michigan exports. You can find more information here: michiganbusiness.org/services/international-trade/mistep/
Wayne County developed a program with the goals of stabilizing healthcare costs to local small businesses and reducing the number of uninsured. Business owners throughout Wayne and Oakland Counties have taken advantage of the HealthChoice program to provide affordable health care coverage for themselves and their employees, particularly during COVID19. For more information, please visit: waynecounty.com/departments/hhvs/accesstocare/small-business
Metro Community Development Financial Institution’s priority is to assist in the creation of new jobs and to expand businesses in the mid-Michigan area with loans for those who do not qualify for traditional lending. Their financing options allow flexible credit and collateral requirements, while still offering competitive interest rates and repayment terms.