COVID-19 Resources for Your Business

by Kati Mora on May 21, 2021

Middle Michigan Development Corporation has been working diligently to stay as up-to-date as possible when it comes to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

We have made it a priority to make resources available to help support businesses in Clare and Isabella county mitigate the impact of COVID-19. We will continue to add to this post as additional resources become available.

COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR MICHIGAN

The State of Michigan provides updates and resources for individuals, communities, health care providers, childcare, employers and their employees at http://michigan.gov/coronovirus.

You can also call the COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 or email to ask any questions you may have regarding COVID-19 and the State’s response.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS IMPACTING MICHIGAN BUSINESSES

All of the Governor’s Executive Orders can be found online.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND BUSINESS SUPPORT

Over the last year, there have been a variety of financial resources and business support programs available for companies in Clare and Isabella county to take advantage of. These include:

Afflicted Business Relief Grant - The Afflicted Business Relief (ABR) grant program has been established by the State of Michigan to distribute up to $409 Million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds to be awarded through grants to afflicted businesses who have suffered financial hardship from COVID-19. Learn more about this program on our website or visit http://michigan.gov/abr.
*Restaurant Revitalization Fund - The SBA has made program details for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund available. Businesses interested in learning more about this funding opportunity can do so by visiting the SBA website and can sign up to receive email alerts as additional information becomes available. This program is now closed.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant - Operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theatres, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives are encouraged to apply for critical economic relief, as these eligible entities were some of the first who had to shutter their doors a year ago in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. FAQs on this program can be viewed here. This program is now closed.
Great Lakes Giveback crowdfunding campaign – Eligible small businesses can leverage their campaign to connect with customers and local communities to raise the support they need. Lake Trust will contribute $75,000 to help, with a match of up to $1,000 for each participating business. Applications Period is now closed; however, businesses interested in crowdfunding can continue to register through Patronicity to establish campaigns.
Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative – Through the Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative, eligible small businesses can receive up to $15,000 to cover urgent working capital needs including payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments and utility expenses. Application Period is now closed.
Weatherization Grants: The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is providing federal CARES Act funds to help qualifying small businesses expand their capacity by adding weatherized, temporary outdoor facilities. Application Period is now closed.
LISC Small Business Relief Grant – A $55 million donation from Lowe’s has made a new grant opportunity possible for eligible small business owners impacted by COVID-19. $30 million will focus on small businesses owned or led by minorities and women, $25 million will support enterprises in rural communities. Application Period is now closed.
Small Business Restart Program – a financial opportunity offering grants up to $20,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits. Grant funding can be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other similar expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020. Application Period is now closed.
Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund – a financial opportunity offering recovery grants of $1,000 – $5,000 and micro-loans of $5,000 – $10,000 to Michigan small businesses looking to reopen in the upcoming weeks. Please review all eligibility requirements and learn how to apply. Application Period is now closed.
MIOSHA MIWISH Grant – MIOSHA is offering matching funds of up to $5000 to support companies that need to purchase COVID-19 supplies and PPE. Learn more about this program and how to apply. Application Period is now closed.
Salesforce Care Small Business Grant – offers a $10,000 grant to help eligible small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. Application Period is now closed.
Save Small Business Fund – Application period is now closed.
Michigan Small Business Relief Program – Application period is now closed. Announcement of awards that have been granted to be announced by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan – no deadline to apply identified at this time.
Paycheck Protection Loan Program – The Paycheck Protection Program provides eligible small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
Facebook Small Business Grant Program – Facebook has announced that they are making $100 million in grants and free advertising available to small businesses across the globe. Funding available for up to 30,000 businesses. Application Period is now closed.
Latitude Media Advertising Grants – My 1043 and WMMI radio announced that they have $10,000 in advertising grants to give to businesses that qualify in Isabella, Clare, Gratiot and Midland counties. Application Period now closed.

Additionally, the Michigan Department of Treasury announced that small businesses scheduled to make their monthly sales, use and withholding tax payments on March 20th can postpone filing and payment requirements until April 20. Penalties and interest have also been waived for 30 days.

Under the CARES Act, employees may also defer paying the employee portion of certain payroll taxes, including the employer portion of FICA, through December 31, 2020. Deferred amounts are to be repaid in two equal installments, one by December 31, 2021 and the other by December 31, 2022. This provision is not available to the businesses that have participated in the Paycheck Protection Program. The CARES Act also allows for a refundable payroll tax credit of up to $5000 per employee whose operations were either fully or partially suspended as a result of a COVID-19 shutdown order. Organizations who experience a decrease in gross receipts by more than 50% compared to the same quarter in the previous fiscal year are also eligible. This credit is available for wages that are paid and/or incurred between March 13, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Neither of these provisions are available to the businesses that have participated in the Paycheck Protection Program.

Consumers Energy is also offering small businesses immediate help by:

Working with small businesses on their utility bill
Connecting small businesses to potential sources of state and federal relief
Providing businesses with new opportunity through the Michigan Pure Business Connect program.

Further details on how Consumers Energy is supporting small businesses can be found here.

UNEMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has a variety of resources to assist both employers and employees navigate the unemployment process. Resources include:

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE

If you or your employees are essential works and require assistance finding childcare, please complete this form.

Michigan Tri-Share Child Care Program - This program will assist qualifying employees, who work with participating regional employers, with child care expenses. Through the program, child care expenses are shared by an employer, the employee, and the State of Michigan with each contributing one-third of the costs. Employers located in either Clare or Isabella County are eligible to participate in this program.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

There are many ways we can continue to support businesses and each other throughout Clare and Isabella counties. A few ways to consider helping are as follows:

ADDITIONAL COVID-19 RESOURCES

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