State Grant Program for Small Businesses Hit by Pandemic Launches March 1 With $409M Available

by Ken Coleman, Michigan Advance

During a meeting with business owners in Southgate, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continued to discuss elements of her $74 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget plan. 

There, business owners shared concerns about the challenges of staffing employees during the COVID-19 pandemic and tax incentives to help to remain profitable. 

Whitmer said during the meeting “to own your own business, to start your own business is hard.”

“We’ve got to support small businesses by helping to make sure that they have the workforce to do their jobs and that they have the support to grow in their Main Streets and are investing and hiring people,” said Whitmer after the one-hour-long session. 

“This is a partnership,” said Whitmer. “Not something that we solve with one policy or over the course of one week. We’re gonna continue to work together.”

She was joined by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn), Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber President and CEO Ron Hinrichs and other area business leaders and entrepreneurs.  

John Fiorelli, owner of Fiorelli’s Restaurant Collection in Flat Rock, told Whitmer that it has been difficult to hire and retain employees during the pandemic. 

“There are tons of opportunities for workers, but businesses have not been able to retain employees,” said Fiorelli. 

Whitmer promoted a grant opportunity for small businesses that begins on March 1. 

“As we work to try to get workforce participation, acknowledging that this is not unique to Michigan, we are going to try to work together to resolve it,” said Whitmer. 

The grant program provides financial support totaling $409 million. It aims to retain or create jobs and boost the state’s economy. Eligible businesses in operation before Oct. 1, 2019, may receive a percentage of their loss in total state sales through a grant, up to $5 million. Eligible businesses that began operating between Oct. 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020, could receive a grant equal to 25% of certain specified costs. 

“This program will support Michigan businesses that were impacted by COVID-19 and help us build on our economic momentum,” said Whitmer. 

Dingell said that she and Whitmer have worked together on issues such as childcare and elder care that have prevented Michiganders from returning to the workforce amid the pandemic. 

“These are problems that we need to address in this country,” said Dingell.