MACOMB COUNTY TO DISTRIBUTE $20 MILLION IN SMALL BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS COUNTY TO USE FEDERAL CARES ACT FUNDING TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​June 11, 2020
Contact: Vicky Rad, Director of Macomb County Planning & Economic Development
Phone: 586-469-5065
Email: Vicky.rad@macombgov.org
Macomb County to distribute $20 million in small business sustainability grants
County to use federal CARES Act funding to support local businesses
Executive Mark A. Hackel today announced a plan to distribute $20 million in small business sustainability grants using federal CARES Act funding. Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) will lead the grant program, which will benefit businesses affected by the shutdown during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The business community in Macomb County has helped us respond to this public health crisis in so many ways,” Hackel said. "Our small business sustainability grant will aid us in reacting to the economic crisis we now face. Our objective is to inject much needed resources into our economy by supporting local companies."
The grants are part of the Macomb County CARES for Small Business Program, a $70 million initiative made possible through the county’s $152 million allocation of federal CARES Act funding. The program includes PPE kit distribution, grants and a variety of efforts to prepare organizations for safe opening operations and future emergency preparedness needs.
The small business sustainability grant program and application process opens today. Each grant will be worth $5,000. MCPED anticipates the funding will provide direct relief to 4,000 businesses in Macomb County.
“This type of funding may not cover all of the losses our businesses have incurred, but it will have a definite impact,” said Vicky Rad, director of MCPED. “Our grant can help them pay employees, cover rent and utilities and purchase supplies and materials that are essential for operating. Our goal is to aid in recovery in any way we can.”
The grant application will be available at www.MacombBusiness.com through June 24 at 11:59 p.m. Small businesses can apply for funds if they meet the following criteria:

• Must have a physical location in Macomb County (office/building/store front).
• Employee size is 1- 49 employees.
• Must be a for-profit organization.
• Business must have a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Business must have been in business for at least 12 months.
• Business must showcase a verifiable need for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses and/or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business.
• Business must be able to verify they have been negatively impacted or experienced a loss in revenue or business due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

An application must also include:

• A signed W9 from within the last 12 months.
• A recent utility bill (within the last 6 months) that lists the business address. This can be a rent or mortgage payment, water, gas, electric, or phone bill. The address must match the location you are submitting for a grant.
• A signed and dated affidavit.

Businesses will be notified of their grant status no later than July 1. Funds will be distributed starting July 2. Additional information on eligibility and grant scoring can be found at www.macombbusiness.com.
About Macomb County Planning & Economic Development: The Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development supports an environment where businesses prosper and people thrive.  Its activities and programs are focused on stimulating the local economy through business retention, expansion and attraction while improving the overall quality of life for residents.  The department specializes in providing services to businesses at all stages of development with a concentration on the high-growth industries of aerospace, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, defense, and homeland security. For more information, call 586-469-5285 or visit www.MacombBusiness.com
###

1 South Main Street, 7th Floor, Mount Clemens, MI, 48043
http://ped.macombgov.org/
Follow @MacombNewsNow on Twitter.
For media inquiries only, please contact John Cwikla at 586-463-3523