The Eastern Michigan Small Business Network (EM-SBN) is currently accepting applications for consideration for its 2024 Small Business Grant Award Program. The EM-SBN received a Small Business Support Hub grant award from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to help launch and grow small businesses in Shiawassee, Lapeer, Tuscola, Huron, Sanilac, and St. Clair counties. This program utilizes a portion of the state’s American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding.

The 2024 Small Business Grant Award Program will provide awards of up to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the six county region to support their growth and development. Most grant awards will be in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. No more than $213,158 in total grants will be awarded in the 2024 round. Applications will be scored based upon responses. The applications with the highest scores in each of the six counties will be awarded funds.

Company Eligibility Requirements
  • A company must be located or the company’s owner must reside in one of the following six Michigan counties: Shiawassee, Lapeer, Tuscola, Huron, Sanilac, or St. Clair
  • A company must be located or the company’s owner must reside in an eligible area on one of these two online maps:
    • US Department of Agriculture (USDA): To determine if your location is eligible, log on the USDA map HERE, click “Accept” to go to the map, enter your address in the “Find Your Address” box, and click Go. The map will then determine if the address is or is not in an eligible area.
    • Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business SmartZone Eligibility: To determine if your location is eligible, log on the MEDC map located HERE. Please open the link and enter your address in the “Find Address or Place” search box; if the address is in a highlighted area, you are eligible for this program.
  • A company must fully complete both of the following documents (identical company name must be used on both documents):
    • The online EM-SBM Small Business Grant Application
    • The online EM-SBN Client Intake Form, located HERE
  • A company must engage with the EM-SBN within the previous six months of receiving a grant award (small business training including one-on-one coaching, consultations, workshops, seminars, cohort-based learning, networking, and mentorship delivered through the EM-SBN). EM-SBN engagement can occur between grant announcement and grant award
  • A company must not be on the federal debarment/suspension list

Complete information on this grant program, including a list of eligible and ineligible grant uses, program timeline, and FAQs, is available HERE.

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* 1. Company name or DBA (must match company name used on EM-SBN Intake Form)

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* 2. Legal company name (if different from DBA)

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* 3. Company physical street address

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* 4. Company physical city

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* 5. Company physical zip code

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* 6. Company physical county (select one)

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* 7. Company contact name

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* 8. Company contact phone number (best number to reach you)

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* 9. Number of years in business (select one)

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* 10. Number of current full-time employees (select one)

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* 11. What do you plan on using the grant funds for? Specifically list each expense and its estimated cost. Total expenses cannot exceed $20,000. Use only the lines needed.

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* 12. Did you apply for and/or receive a grant award from another Hub program?

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* 13. Has your business been impacted negatively by COVID-19?

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* 14. Explain what the grant will do to assist with the growth of your business.

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* 15. Have you completed the required online EM-SBN Client Intake Form, located HERE?

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* 16. I understand this grant is a reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred by my company. My company will be required to submit receipts for eligible expenses to the EM-SBN within the designated time frame for reimbursement. All submitted receipts are subject to review and verification by the EM-SBN to determine expenses are eligible per grant program guidelines. If awarded, I will be required to complete a grant agreement with the EM-SBN.

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