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COVID relief funds available for small businesses and entertainment venues

Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Michigan Economic Development Corporation

More than $58 million in state money will soon be available to small businesses and entertainment venues that have suffered economically because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small businesses can apply for the one-time grants from the Michigan Small Business Relief Program.

The application period is short. For small businesses, it’s three-and-a-half days starting Tuesday.

Unlike previous COVID relief grants, it’s not first come, first served.

“So whether you're the first in the door at 9 a.m. on Tuesday or the last at 12 noon on Friday, you have an equal chance when it comes to the review process that takes place at the local level to be awarded funding,” said Mark Burton, the president and chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The applications will be sent to 15 regional economic development organizations.

“And then they will review and process and eventually select those who will be awarded funds,” Burton said.

A separate program called the Stages Survival Grant Program will distribute $3.5 million to eligible entertainment venues. They can submit applications beginning Thursday. They’ll have a week to apply for up to $40,000.

You can find more information about both grant programs here.

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Lester Graham reports for The Environment Report. He has reported on public policy, politics, and issues regarding race and gender inequity. He was previously with The Environment Report at Michigan Public from 1998-2010.