2025 One-Time Mobility Fund

Program Vision

These MMFP grants will be split between two unique pillars: test site grants (ranging $50,000 - $200,000 per grant) and real-world deployment grants (ranging $100,000 - $500,000 per grant). Test site grants can be deployed to mobility projects partnering with one of nine pre-approved closed environment test sites in the state and real-world deployment grants are defined as being any project in a public space and partnering with municipalities and/or state agencies.

Based on this design there will be an estimate of 15 – 20 total beneficiaries.

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How Funds Will Be Awarded 

Grants deployed via MMFP are awarded after a standardized application, review, and selection process. This process includes standard application, internal review to ensure projects meet minimum qualifications, external reviews by a minimum of 10 industry experts including scoring in 6 categories and open-ended feedback, and finally, a final selection committee comprised of members of various Michigan State Agencies (MEDC, LEO, MDOT, etc.).

The six categories applications will be scored on are:

• Meet the Needs of Michigan Residents
• Ability to Grow in Michigan
• Alignment with the Michigan Mobility Strategy (MI Future Mobility Plan)
• Project Team and Partners  
• Technology & Business Model 
• Ability to Deploy (feasibility of project, timeline, budget, etc.) 

Timeline

• Tuesday, February 11^th 2025 — Application Opens (available for 30 days)
• Thursday, March 13^th 2025 — Application Closes
• Friday, March 14^th 2025 — Application Review Process Begins 
• Monday, March 31st 2025 — Selections and Notifications Made

In order to comply with federal funding requirements, OFME is requiring that any grant funds awarded through this program be spent by beneficiaries (small businesses or startups) by no later than September 30, 2026. We ask that applicants commit to ensuring the project timeline aligns with this deadline.

Eligible Small Businesses and Qualified Class Defined

“Eligible Small Business” means a business concern or other organization that: has no more than 500 employees

or, if applicable, the size standard in number of employees established by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration for the industry in which the business concern or organization operates, and is a small business concern as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act at 15 U.S.C. § 632(a)(1): “independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation.” and, in either case, has been Disproportionately Impacted by COVID-19.

The business is located or operating in one of the following geographic areas:

• 2020 CDFI Investment Tract 
• 2020 Qualified Census Tract 
• Rural Michigan counties, as defined by the Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity (fka the Michigan Office of Rural Development) in 2023 (Defined on page 3) (list here) 
• A qualified Historically Underutilized Business Zone (aka HUBZone), as defined by the Small Business Administration  
• A Michigan county where at least 40% of households fall below the ALICE Threshold   

• IMPORTANT NOTE: If a company is located in (business address) or operating in (pilot location) ANY one of the geographic locations listed above they automatically are considered to be Disproportionately Impacted by COVID-19 and qualify for this grant opportunity. Applicants will not be required to further justify specific individual impact(s) on company due to COVID-19, only status as a small business and geographic qualifier. (questions: reach out to [email protected])

Qualified Projects & Expenses

Qualified Expenses

• Operating costs
• No more than 7% for qualified travel expenses
• No capital expenditures
• No construction
• Construction is defined as anything over $2000

Qualified Projects

Test site grants will be deployed to mobility and transportation innovation projects partnering with one of nine pre-approved closed test sites in the state and real-world deployment grants are defined as being any project in a public space and partnering with municipalities and/or state agencies. These projects will have ties to challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic including but not limited to:

• The intersection of healthcare access and transportation
• Food deserts in both urban and rural areas
• First and last mile transportation
• Gaps in traditional transportation services such as transit
• Access to other essential services
• Freight, logistics and supply chain challenges

Test Site Deployments and Real World Deployments Defined 

Test Site Projects

• Grants ranging from $50,000 - $200,000 per project
• Test site grants can be deployed to mobility projects partnering with one of nine pre-approved closed environment test sites in the state, sites include:
  • Advanced Power Systems (APS) Labs
  • American Center for Mobility (ACM)
  • Detroit Smart Parking Lab (DSPL)
  • Gerald R. Ford Airport's Ford Launchpad for Innovation Technology and Entrepreneurship (FLITE)
  • Great Lakes Research Center
  • Kettering Mobility Research Center
  • The Keweenaw Research Center 
  • Mcity
  • Michigan Unmanned Aerial Systems Consortium 

If you are interested in testing at a location not represented on this pre-approved list, please reach out to Janine Robar ([email protected]) to get approval on other testing facilities/locations. 

Real-World Deployment Grants 

• Grants ranging  from $100,000 - $500,000 per project
• Real-world deployment grants are defined as being any project in a public space and partnering with municipalities and/or state agencies.

Desired Outcomes

Grant recipients (beneficiaries) will be required to report on a quarterly basis both financial obligations and expenses as well as key performance indicators.  These key performance indicators may include:

• Total Number of businesses served
• Number of businesses served by program activities 
• Number of businesses served for the first time by network services/referrals
• Number of Minority-Owned Businesses served
• New partnership starts
• Loans, venture, angel or other financial investments obtained (“facilitated industry investment”)
• Jobs retained /created
• Company growth including but not limited to increased revenue / facilitated revenue
• And other factors as determined by the OFME

In order to comply with federal funding requirements, OFME is requiring that any grant funds awarded through this program be spent by beneficiaries (small businesses or startups) by no later than September 30, 2026. We ask that applicants commit to ensuring the project timeline aligns with this deadline.

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Terms and Conditions 

Authorization: I confirm that I am authorized by my company to execute this application and agreement and agree that the company and its representatives will adhere to all of the terms and conditions set forth in this application and agreement. These include, but are not limited to, providing the MEDC with all results from approved activities for documentation and success tracking purposes. I certify on behalf of the company that all of the documents submitted, and information contained in this application and accompanying documents are true and accurate.

FOIA: All information submitted in connection with or included in any Michigan Mobillity Funding Platform application, may be subject to disclosure under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.

Indemnification: Company hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless MEDC, OFME, NextEnergy, and their respective affiliates, officers, directors, executive committee, managers, members, employees, contractors, subcontractors and agents --the “Indemnified Parties”-- from any and all claims, demands, suits, causes of action, damages, costs, obligations, losses, settlements and judgments, including without limitation attorney’s fees and costs --a “Claim”-- in whole or part arising out of or in any way connected with the Pilot Project (including infringement Claims).

Compliance with Law: Company represents and warrants that Company will comply with all federal, state, and local laws requiring any licenses, business permits, and certificates required to carry out the Project and Company will obtain and maintain those permits, certificates and/or licenses through the Term. Company represents and warrants that that Company and Company's employees and contract personnel shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and executive orders. Company represents that it is knowledgeable about, will keep up to date with, and will ensure that Company and Company’s employees and contract employees comply with, all applicable executive orders issued by the Governor of the State of Michigan.

Insurance: Applicants should be prepared to carry up to $5M general liability insurance during the deployment.

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