Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program to provide $55 million in grants for COVID-19 relief efforts

January 14, 2021

The Michigan Strategic Fund today approved two grant programs – the Michigan Small Business Survival Grants and the Michigan Stages Survival Grants – totaling $58.5 million in relief to help meet the urgent needs of small businesses and live event venues impacted by the COVID-19 virus, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced.

Michigan Small Business Survival Grant: A single, statewide application for the program will be live at michiganbusiness.org/survival on 9:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, January 19 through 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST on Friday, January 22.

The Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program will provide $55 million in grants to meet the urgent need of Michigan small businesses that have experienced a significant financial hardship due to the recent COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask orders.” Grants of up to $20,000 will 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.

Michigan Stages Survival Grant: Applications will be available at www.michiganbusiness.org/stages starting at 9:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, January 21- 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST on Thursday, January 28, 2021.

MSF also approved the $3.5 million Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program, which will provide up to $40,000 in one-time grants to eligible Michigan live music and entertainment venues that have experienced a significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details follow …

Michigan Small Business Survival Grants to provide critical relief

The Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program is intended to meet the urgent need of Michigan businesses who have experienced a significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask order” issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in December 2020.

The Michigan Small Business Survival Grants will be administered by 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) covering all 83 counties across the state. A single, statewide application for the program will be live at michiganbusiness.org/survival on 9:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, January 19 through 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST on Friday, January 22. Grants will be reviewed and awarded by the EDOs based on eligibility requirements and local priorities and objectives, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Businesses must meet the following eligibility requirements:

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 DHHS epidemic orders.
Needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses.
Can demonstrate 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 the Michigan Stage Survival grant program.

Individual EDOs may have additional eligibility requirements, which businesses will be able to access from the michiganbusiness.org/survival landing page. EDOs will also have discretion on grant awards up to the maximum of $20,000 for businesses that are fully closed and $15,000 to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact.

Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program will offer assistance to Michigan’s eligible live music and entertainment venues

The Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program was also approved by the MSF today. The program will provide a total of $3.5 million in one-time grants of up to $40,000 to eligible entertainment venues throughout Michigan. These funds are to be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or costs related to reopening a business.

The application will be available at www.michiganbusiness.org/stages starting at 9:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, January 21- 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST on Thursday, January 28, 2021. The Michigan Independent Venue and Promoter Association (MIVPA) will be responsible for accepting, reviewing and approving applications by February 28, 2021. The MEDC distribute the grant funds based on the recommendation of the MIVPA.

Venues must meet eligibility requirements that include

Be located in the state of Michigan.
Produce and/or present live, disciplined-based performance experiences.
Demonstrate at least 33 percent of 2019 gross revenues are from the sale of tickets for live music or entertainment events OR receive at least 70 percent of its earned revenue through cover charges or tickets sales, production fees or production reimbursements, nonprofit educational initiatives, or the sale of event beverages, food or merchandise.
Demonstrate second quarter revenues from April 1- June 30, 2020 were not greater than 10% of second quarter revenue from April 1-June 30, 2019.
Employ less than 30 full time employees.

A full list of application and eligibility requirements is available at michiganbusiness.org/stages. Per statutory requirements, a monthly report will be provided to the legislature that includes a listing of grants awarded in the previous month and the name of the recipient of each grant provided under the program. A full list of grant awardees will be available on michiganbusiness.org/stages.

“We have seen the urgent need for these resources for small businesses across the state, and MEDC is proud to work with our local partners and industry leaders to ensure this funding gets into the hands of businesses efficiently, effectively and with the greatest impact possible,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “We continue to stay focused on both immediate relief efforts, and also ensuring we have runway for economic recovery in the coming year through existing efforts around business retention and growth, supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating vibrant communities throughout Michigan.”