Michigan Business and Commerce Grants

The Baraga County Chamber is excited to announce the Dynamo Young Business Grants to help attract new businesses and assist young businesses in Baraga County. Donor Name: Baraga County State: Michigan County: Baraga County (MI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program will offer to start-up businesses or businesses within the first twelve months of start up as selected by the Dynamo Grant Program committee. This funding is a grant and does not need to be repaid. The businesses may be for profit or non-profit. Funding Information The program will offer up to $5,000. Criteria Type of Business: For profit or non profit business within the first twelve months of existence or not yet opened, but preparing to do so. Dynamo Grant is seeking businesses that will create jobs, have a positive impact on the community and provide products/services that are in demand. Business must be located in Baraga County. Business Plan: The committee will review the business/marketing plan to assess its viability and sustainability. Factors to be considered will be the demand for products/services, funding, the experience of owners, number of potential employees and business location. The business plan must include details on how the grant money will be used.  Applicants are encouraged to seek business planning assistance from the Michigan Small Business Development Center and local financial institutions. For more information, visit Baraga County.

This program provides rent support to new, innovative retail businesses in Downtown Grand Rapids, particularly those that are women- or minority-owned, to enhance the area's retail diversity and economic vitality.

The “Main Street Connected” Grant Program is designed to provide technology and digitally based support to complement MSOC’s other economic vitality efforts that bolster small businesses at the local community level. Donor Name: Oakland County State: Michigan City: Selected Cities Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/21/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: “Main Street Connected” Grant Program to support the attraction, retention and growth of small businesses in designated downtowns and historic neighborhood commercial corridors, Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) has partnered with MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) to create the “Main Street Connected” Grant Program. Funding Information Grants can be up to $2,500 each. Eligible Activities Eligible activities include: Development or use of data analytics software Payment processing software or equipment purchases, including Point of Sale (POS) Website creation and e-commerce support Social media or digital marketing costs Cybersecurity and data protection Customer relationship management (CRM) costs Project or inventory management software costs Creation or implementation of pop-up operations or public markets Eligibility Criteria Eligible small business may be up to 10 years old and must be in one of the Main Street Districts in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Birmingham, Clarkston, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Ortonville, Pontiac, Rochester, Royal Oak, Southfield, and Wixom. For more information, visit Oakland County.

This grant provides financial support for property owners in the Village of Calumet to improve their buildings and enhance the downtown area's economic vitality through significant renovations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Marketing Services (AMS), is entering into cooperative agreement with Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) for the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Cooperative Agreements (RFSI). Donor Name: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) State: Michigan County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose of the Michigan RFSI program is to build resilience in the middle-of-thefood-supply-chain and strengthen local and regional food systems by creating new revenue streams for Michigan producers. MDARD will make subawards in the form of Infrastructure Grants to middle-of-the-supply businesses to create more diverse local and regional market options and create more economic opportunities for communities, allowing them to retain more of the value chain dollar. RFSI investments aim to create a food systems infrastructure to support competitive and profitable market access for domestic farm products. The program also aims to: Support development of value‐added products available to consumers; Support proposals that provide fair prices, fair wages and new and safe job opportunities that keep profits in rural communities; and Increase diversity in processing options in terms of business model approaches, geography, and availability to underserved communities. Priorities USDA intends for RFSI program to focus funding Infrastructure Grant activities that: Expand capacity for processing, aggregation, and distribution of agricultural products to create more and better markets for producers; Modernize manufacturing, tracking, storage, and information technology systems; Enhance worker safety through adoption of new technologies or investment in equipment or facility improvements; Improve the capacity of entities to comply with federal, state, and local food safety requirements; Improve operations through training opportunities; Support construction of a new facility; Modernize or expand an existing facility (including expansion and modifications to existing buildings and/or construction of new buildings at existing facilities); Construction of wastewater management structures, etc.; Modernize processing and manufacturing equipment; and Develop, customize, or install equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases efficiency in water use, improves air and/or water quality, and/or meets one or more of USDA’s climate action goals. Funding Information Michigan has been awarded over $10 million dollars. Equipment Only Grant: These projects offer a simplified application to fund smaller grants from $10,000 up to $100,000 Infrastructure Grants: Infrastructure grants will have a maximum award of $475,000. Eligibility Criteria The following entities are eligible for Infrastructure Grants made by MDARD: Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors Nonprofit organizations operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products Local government entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products Tribal governments operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products. Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural product. For more information, visit MDARD.

This program provides financial assistance to homeowners in Dearborn for the rehabilitation, repair, or replacement of damaged porches and outdoor steps.

This initiative provides financial and technical support to small businesses in Detroit that have been operating for 30 years or more, recognizing their cultural and economic contributions to the community.

The Four County Community Foundation (4CCF) is pleased to announce the Spark Grant Program. Donor Name: Four County Community Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Spark Grant format is intended to feel more accessible and interactive than a traditional grant application process but is more focused in the type of projects it funds like that of Union Food Group’s. One of four proposals awarded in 2023, the Shelby Township-based business partnered with the Hispanic Service Center in Imlay City to offer reduced-cost Spanish-language food safety training. This project met a need for local entrepreneurs who feel more comfortable receiving ServSafe training in their native language. According to the Census Bureau, more than one-third of new businesses created in 2023 were owned by Latinos. The panel has a pool of $50,000 to award and is most interested in proposals that are truly innovative and seek to meet an unmet community need in 4CCF’s service area. Criteria Applicants—both individuals and nonprofit groups—can apply to present an in-person proposal to a panel of 4CCF committee members followed by a five-minute question and answer session. For more information, visit 4CCF.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations in Genesee County, Michigan, to enhance community engagement and cultural initiatives through various arts programs.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

This program provides financial assistance to startups and small businesses in Northwest Michigan for purchasing essential assets that will help them grow and improve their operations.

Nissan Neighbors is a community-focused initiative that provides charitable contributions and in-kind donations to nonprofit organizations working in the areas of education, the environment, and humanitarian aid. The program aims to improve communities by valuing cultural diversity and has been awarding hundreds of thousands of dollars annually since its establishment in 1992. Nissan Foundation Criteria To be considered for funding by Nissan Foundation, organizations must meet the following requirements: Have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status Have been in existence for more than three years Reflect the mission of Nissan Foundation to build community by valuing cultural diversity Demonstrate intentional design of programming grounded in the importance and benefits of cultural diversity Specify community need(s) addressed and intended outcomes of programming Demonstrate experience with populations served Serve communities where Nissan has a significant operational presence, namely: Southern California Middle Tennessee Central Mississippi Dallas/Ft. Worth Detroit New York City and North Central New Jersey Atlanta

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations focused on preventing child abuse and neglect in specific counties of Indiana and Michigan.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This program provides financial assistance to Lansing businesses for improving the exterior appearance and structural integrity of their buildings, enhancing the overall streetscape and inviting more customers.

The City of Alpena Downtown Development Authority (the “DDA”) established its Façade Improvement Grant Program for Commercial & Mixed-Use Properties. Donor Name: Alpena Downtown Development Authority State: Michigan City: Alpena Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/24/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In October 2023, the Alpena DDA was awarded $400,000 grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) through its Façade Restoration Initiative (FRI) Program to supplement our local program. Projects may now apply for grants of 50% of their façade project total. All projects must be complete by April 30, 2025. Funding Information The Design Committee may award grants under the program in any amount requested from a minimum award of $500.00 to up to 50% of eligible renovation costs. All requests must be approved by the DDA Board. Building Eligibility Requirements Location and Nature of Building Use.  Properties located within the legal boundary of Alpena’s DDA district engaging in retail, restaurant, commercial, entertainment, office services, or properties that are mixed- use shall be deemed eligible for grant funding. Any question concerning the eligibility of a specific property may be submitted to the Executive Director of the DDA. A determination of location and building use eligibility will be provided to the interested party within two business days following receipt of the inquiry. Payment of Taxes and Other Public Accounts. All previously billed and currently payable property taxes and annual installments of assessments must be paid in full for the subject property before an application for a façade improvement grant will be considered. Additionally, all City of Alpena accounts in the name of the applicant and/or attaching to the subject property must be current. All taxes, assessments, and other city accounts must be kept current during the application, review, construction, and post-construction processes. Nature of Façade. Grant funding may be requested for any façade (front, side, or rear) that fronts on a public right of way (street, alley, or public parking lot). Applicants may apply for up to 50% of eligible renovation costs per façade. All requests for funding must be approved by the DDA Board of Directors. Greater consideration for funding will be given to work proposed on a façade fronting a city street. Structural Integrity of Building. Buildings for which improvements are proposed must have basic structural integrity and an intact roof as confirmed by the City of Alpena Building Department, thereby protecting the DDA’s potential investment in the façade. Insurance Coverage. The applicant or the owner of the subject property must carry suitable property insurance coverage on the subject property and must provide a certificate of coverage to the DDA with the application. The applicant or owner is strongly encouraged to also carry a builder’s risk policy of insurance covering potential damage to the building’s structure by the contractor. For more information, visit Alpena DDA.

This initiative provides one-time reimbursement grants to small businesses in Flint, Michigan, to help them recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This grant provides $5,000 to small for-profit businesses in Kalamazoo that have been operating for at least a year, have 10 or fewer employees, and are located in historically underserved neighborhoods.

This grant provides funding for new community projects that benefit residents of Isabella County, specifically targeting 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and local government entities.

This program provides financial assistance to commercial property owners and tenants in the Village of Brooklyn to improve the exteriors of their buildings, enhancing the area's visual appeal and economic vitality.