Muskegon businesses hurt by coronavirus can apply for grants of up to $10K through April 3

Small businesses in Muskegon County that have faced hardships in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak can apply for grants of up to $10,000 through Friday, April 3. 

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation awarded The Right Place Inc. a $1 million grant to support small businesses in 11 West Michigan counties that have experienced financial difficulties because of the coronavirus. The Right Place Inc., a Grand Rapids-based organization that works to build and sustain economic development in West Michigan, will disperse that $1 million through small business grants across the region.

“There are over 76,000 small businesses in these 11 counties and $1 million in funds,” The Right Place President and CEO Birgit Klohs said in a press statement. “We anticipate demand will far exceed availability of funding, which will necessitate difficult decisions throughout the grant review process.”

Muskegon County businesses with 50 or fewer employees can send in the grant applications through 5pm on Friday, April 3. Applications should be sent to Muskegon Area First’s Morgan Carroll by emailing mcarroll@muskegon.org. To see the requirements a business must meet to be eligible for the grant, instructions for applying, and the application itself, please click here. If you have questions, call Carroll at 231-286-9497.

The Right Place expects funds will be made available on or before April 12. The grants may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur. 

In addition to Muskegon, other counties covered by this grant include: Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana, and Osceola. Each county will accept, review and approve applications through local committees.

For further information about resources available to businesses during the Covid-19 crisis, please click here.