Small Business Grants in Michigan (MI)

Securing a small business grant in Michigan involves identifying the right grant opportunities, understanding the eligibility criteria, and preparing a comprehensive application. Here are some of the most relevant grant opportunities for small businesses in Michigan:

Michigan State Trade Expansion Program (MI-STEP)
This program provides up to $15,000 annually to businesses for exporting activities such as trade shows, shipping product samples, compliance testing, and marketing to international audiences.

Growing MI Business Grant Program
This program is for businesses that started operations between October 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. To be eligible, your business must have a physical presence in Michigan, fall within one of the nine eligible business categories, not be tax-exempt, not be a government entity, and be currently open for business. The application process requires the submission of a completed grant application, supporting financial documentation, and a Beneficiary Agreement that contains the terms and conditions for use of the grant.

Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program
This program provides grants of up to $20,000 to businesses that are fully closed, and up to $15,000 to businesses that are operational or partially closed due to the Covid-19 impact.

Michigan Small Business Relief Program
This program provides up to $20 million in grants and loans to provide economic assistance to Michigan’s small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 virus.

MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) grant program
This program awards qualifying businesses with up to $5,000 to purchase safety and health-related equipment to support safe workplaces.

To apply for these grants, you will typically need to complete an application form, provide supporting documents, and make a series of certifications. The specific documents required may vary by grant but often include financial documentation and information to verify your business’s decline in total sales from a previous calendar year.

In addition to these state-specific programs, there are also federal grants that can benefit Michigan businesses. For example, the Futures for Frontliners program and Michigan Reconnect program offer tuition-free degrees and certificates to essential frontline workers, which can help small businesses train and upskill their workforce.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and its partners have supported small businesses over 30,000 times since January 2021, offering a range of services from funding resources to market research and no-cost consulting. Therefore, reaching out to MEDC or similar organizations could provide additional opportunities and resources for securing a small business grant in Michigan.