Resources for Michigan Businesses During COVID-19

Michigan Agricultural Safety Grants

The State of Michigan has allocated $15 million of CARES Act funding to implement the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant to support COVID-19 monitoring and mitigation strategies for Michigan’s agricultural processors and farms of 10 employees or more.

MEDC Small Farm Safety Grant Program

To complement the Agricultural Safety Grant, MEDC launched the MEDC Small Farm Safety Grant Program open to Michigan farms with less than 10 employees. In total, $1.25 million in grants is available to fund COVID-19 mitigation costs at Michigan farms.

COVID-19 Workplace Safety Grant

The Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grant Program awards small businesses matching funds - up to $10,000 - to decrease the risk of COVID-19 spread through safety and health-related equipment purchased and training in response to COVID-19.

MI Safe Start

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan outlines how Michigan will begin to re-engage while continuing to keep our communities safe. Re-engagement will happen in phases and those businesses that are necessary to protect and sustain life are already open.

PMBC COVID-19 Procurement Platform

Support neighbors in need while helping generate new business within Michigan. This program can help source PPE materials for businesses re-opening following the COVID-19 outbreak.

MI Symptoms

Designed primarily for employers and employees, the online tool allows users to enter information daily to help identify symptoms that might be caused by the COVID-19 virus and to make decisions about when to seek appropriate medical care. Local and state public health will also use the collective data to help identify the potential for new outbreaks of the disease.

Employer Guidance on Best Practices from LEO

Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has created an employer guidance document on best practices for the reopening of restaurants and bars.

Detroit Development Fund

Detroit Development Fund is accepting applications from businesses in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck who have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Businesses interested in applying for a loan should contact DDF at (313) 784-9623, or by email at vholsey@detroitdevelopmentfund.com.

Metro Community Development

Micro and small business loans ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 are available to Michigan small businesses in 13 counties, with an emphasis on businesses located in economically disadvantaged areas. For more information, contact mrankins@metroflint.org.

MI State Trade Expansion Program (MI-STEP)

In response to COVID-19, the MI-STEP program has increased the cap amount for certain activities to help support companies going global with their business, making it more favorable to participate in export activities.

MSF Awardee Relief Initiative

Authorizes emergency relief to businesses and community projects that have previously received grants, loans, or other forms of economic assistance from the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Capital Access Program

MEDC's Capital Access program uses public resources to generate private lender financing, providing small businesses in Michigan access to capital that might not otherwise be available.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

SBA resumed processing EIDL applications that were submitted before the portal stopped accepting new applications on April 15 and will be processing those applications on a first-come, first-served basis. On June 15, SBA began accepting new EIDL and EIDL Advance applications from qualified small businesses and U.S. agricultural businesses.

CDBG CARES Funding

CARES funding is available to Michigan counties that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus through the Michigan State CDBG Program to assist in their economic recovery efforts.

EDA Grant Application

MEDC is accepting proposals from eligible Michigan organizations to support required funding match to the U.S. Economic Development Administration's (EDA) CARES Act Recovery Assistance program.

Initiate Business Retention Training Series

MEDC’s Community Development and Capital Access teams have partnered with Northern Initiatives to offer an online learning portal that gives small businesses access to valuable resources to help them grow and thrive in today’s economy.

Reopen Main Street

MEDC has partnered with Reopen Main Street to compile a variety of recovery resources into one, easy-to-use website. The new website includes reopening strategies, ideas, hints and tips for businesses, business districts and organizations.

Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund

MEDC has partnered with Michigan Women Forward to create this $1.5 million fund to help entrepreneurs and small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19 recover from the outbreak, as well as assist them in meeting increased demands in support of COVID-19 response efforts. Note: Microloan applications are still available.

The Pure Michigan Pledge

The Pure Michigan Pledge encourages businesses, tourists and local communities alike to follow and promote COVID-19 safety guidelines to help ensure the best experiences this summer travel season and beyond.

FAQs for Businesses and Communities

Review this list of frequently asked questions and answers for businesses and communities during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Michigan Small Business Restart Program

In response to the economic impact of COVID-19, the State of Michigan has allocated $100 million of CARES Act funding to implement the Michigan Small Business Restart Program to support the needs of Michigan Businesses directly impacted by COVID-19.

Match on Main – COVID-19 Response Program

The Match on Main – COVID-19 Response Program temporarily expands the MEDC’s Match on Main Program and will provide up to $50,000 to local downtown management organizations to administer to eligible small businesses located in traditional commercial districts. Applications are now closed.

Michigan Small Business Relief Program

Michigan Small Businesses Relief Grants will be administered by 15 local and nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) around Michigan. Applications are now closed.

MI Local Biz

MEDC, in conjunction with Patronicity, developed a funding mechanism to offer quick access to capital for small local businesses experiencing economic challenges as a result of COVID-19. Applications are now closed.

Emergency Relief Fund Grant

Emergency Relief Fund one-time grants of up to $5,000 are now available to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations through Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Applications due May 1, 2020

PlanetM COVID-19 Mobility Solutions Grant

The PlanetM COVID-19 Mobility Solutions Grant will provide funding to mobility solutions that address the crucial challenges presented by the spread of COVID-19 within the state of Michigan. The first round of applications are now closed.

PMBC COVID-19 Emergency Access & Retooling Grants

PMBC provided grants to a number of Michigan small manufacturing businesses who are able to produce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in response to COVID-19. This program is now closed.

Tech Startup Stabilization Fund

The $3 million Tech Startup Stabilization Fund supports early-stage tech startups in Michigan that are being impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The fund is administered by ID Ventures in Detroit. As of May 1, 2020, the Tech Startup Stabilization Fund is no longer open to new applicants.

Northern Initiatives Program

The program provides up to $2 million in loan funds to Northern Initiatives through MEDC’s Capital Access program to assist businesses impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Due to the volume of requests, Northern Initiatives has put a temporary hold on accepting new requests and expects to reopen inquiries in mid-May.

MEDC's Regional Business Development Managers

Contact your MEDC Business Development Manager for personalized support and to get connected to additional resources.

Contact your Community Assistance Team Member

Use the Community Assistance Team member map to find your local contact. CAT team members can offer personalized support.

Economic Development Partners

MEDC works with more than 100 economic development partners across the state. Use this list to find additional local support in your area.