​Macomb County To Distribute $20M In Small Business Grants

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Macomb County will distribute $20 million in small businesses sustainability grants using federal CARES Act funding, county executive Mark Hackel announced Thursday.

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) will lead the grant program, which will benefit businesses affected by the shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The business community in Macomb County has helped us respond to this public health crisis in so many ways,” Hackel said. "Our small business sustainability grant will aid us in reacting to the economic crisis we now face. Our objective is to inject much needed resources into our economy by supporting local companies."

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The grants are part of the Macomb County CARES for Small Business Program, a $70 million initiative made possible through the county’s $152 million allocation of federal CARES Act funding. The program includes PPE kit distribution, grants and a variety of efforts to prepare organizations for safe opening operations and future emergency preparedness needs.

The small business sustainability grant program and application process opens Thursday. Each grant will be worth $5,000. MCPED anticipates the funding will provide direct relief to 4,000 businesses in Macomb County.

“This type of funding may not cover all of the losses our businesses have incurred, but it will have a definite impact,” said Vicky Rad, director of MCPED. “Our grant can help them pay employees, cover rent and utilities and purchase supplies and materials that are essential for operating. Our goal is to aid in recovery in any way we can.”

The grant application will be available at www.MacombBusiness.com through June 24.

Businesses will be notified of their grant status no later than July 1. Funds will be distributed starting July 2. Additional information on eligibility and grant scoring can be found at www.macombbusiness.com.