More Than $4M In Grant Funding Given To Macomb County Businesses

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — More than $4.1 million in grant funding has been disbursed among 766 businesses in Macomb County, helping the businesses feeling the effects of emergency orders issued amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic retain about 6,800 jobs, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday.

In all, about $52.5 million in relief has been awarded to nearly 6,000 small businesses across Michigan through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Michigan Small Business Survival Grant program, Whitmer said.

“The Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program provides crucial support to Michigan’s small businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Whitmer said. “These grants, combined with additional business relief efforts offered by the MEDC, will create a strong foundation for Michigan’s long-term economic recovery. As we distribute the safe and effective vaccine and work to end the pandemic once and for all, I will continue partnering with leaders across the state and urging passage of the MI COVID Recovery plan to provide relief for our small businesses, protect public health and jumpstart our economy.”

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One of the businesses hit hard by the pandemic orders was Fit4Life, a fitness studio on Detroit's northwest side. Owner Felicia Maxwell has held outdoor boot camps and virtual classes to generate revenue since the onset of the pandemic.

With restrictions still in place for exercise facilities, Maxwell said she needed the help she received from the grant, which was awarded by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.

“Until a large percentage of the population is vaccinated against COVID19, I can’t get all of my clients back,” she said. “I’m dependent on grants and other assistance available to me. While I’m very thankful to be a Survival Grant recipient, I’d rather be fully back to business and helping my community get and stay healthy.”

>>> You can see the full list of the business that received grants here.

Approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund on Jan. 14, the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program allocated $55 million to Michigan small businesses that experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 emergency orders.

The program allowed for grants of up to $20,000 to be awarded to businesses that are fully closed, with grants of up to $15,000 awarded to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact, according to a news release.

A total of 5 percent of overall funding for the program was able to go toward administrative costs of the economic development organizations administering the grants, officials said.

The Michigan Small Business Survival Grants program was administered by 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations across the state.

“The Michigan Small Business Survival Program is providing significant support to small businesses helping to get them through this critical time and on the path to economic recovery,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “We are thankful for the efforts of our economic development partners, who worked swiftly and diligently to deliver these vital financial resources within their regions and create a path toward economic recovery for small businesses throughout Michigan.”

In total, the MEDC has now launched 23 COVID-19 relief and recovery programs that have supported 24,460 businesses in the state and helped to retain nearly 200,000 jobs across all 83 counties.