Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program

Critical relief totaling approximately $52.5 million for nearly 6,000 small businesses across the state has been awarded to date through the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant program. Approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund on Jan. 14, the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program provides support to Michigan small businesses to meet the urgent need of businesses that experienced a significant financial hardship due to COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask orders.” 

View List of awarded Businesses

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. 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. Updated information on grants awarded will be shared on this page as it becomes available. 

Program Overview

Grant funding was distributed to the 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations listed in the table below. Each local EDO has reviewed submitted applications from businesses located in their area and is providing grants to eligible small businesses that need working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses.

Please review the table below for EDO partners and contact your EDO with any questions. Contact information for each EDO is linked below: 

• Full list of EDO contacts

Timeline

• January 19, 2021: application window opened at 9:00 a.m. EST
• January 22, 2021: application window closed at 12:00 p.m. EST
• Week of January 25, 2021: EDOs carried out grant selection process
• January 29 – February 28, 2021: Funds disbursed
• If any funds are not disbursed by the EDOs by February 28, 2021, funds will be returned to the MSF for reallocation to one or more EDOs for disbursement to eligible businesses by April 30, 2021

More Information

• Gov. Whitmer Press Release (2/17/21)
• Legislative Report
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Press Release Announcement (1/14/21)

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for funding under the Program, small businesses must be a for-profit or non-profit company and meet all criteria below. Furthermore, each local EDO may have additional eligibility criteria. Please use the table below to find your local EDO and review any additional eligibility criteria prior to applying. 

• Had 1 to 100 employees (including full-time, part-time and owner/employees) on a world-wide basis on November 17, 2020.
• Is in an industry that demonstrates it is affected by the Order.
• Needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses.
• Demonstrates an income loss as a result of the Order as determined by the EDO in which an eligible business is located.
• Is not a live music and entertainment venue that is eligible for funds under Section 401 of Public Act 257 of 2020: Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program.

Industries Affected by the Order

Eligible businesses disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the Gatherings and Mask Order will largely fall into one of the categories below. However, businesses in other industries may be considered if they can demonstrate they meet the eligibility, at the discretion of the EDO, particularly if they were impacted by the Gatherings and Mask Order. 

• Food service establishments (such as restaurants and bars, coffee, bakeries, catering, breweries, distilleries, wineries, tea shops, banquet facilities and other food and beverage service providers)
• Retail (such as boutiques, bookstores, hardware, anything being sold that is not food)
• Exercise facilities (such as gyms, studios, pool facilities, ice skating rinks, organized sports)
• Entertainment venues or live event venues that are not eligible for the Michigan Stages Survival Grant as defined under Section 401 of Public Act 257 of 2020
• Recreational Facilities and places of public amusement (such as bowling alleys, arcades, bingo halls)
• Nonprofits (such as library, museum, churches, religious centers, advocacy organizations)
• Personal care services (such as hair, nail, tanning, massage, spa)
• Schools
• Childcare and camps
• Transportation (such as limo services)
• Other (applicant must specify in the application)

Eligible Expenses

Grant funds may be used by the business for eligible expenses including working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, and other expenses related to reopening a business incurred between November 18, 2020 and April 30, 2021.