LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Beginning today, bars, restaurants, and other small business that want to keep an expanded footprint outdoors during the winter can begin applying for a special grant program.
The Small Business Association of Michigan is partnering with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to administer at least $3 million in weatherization grants to assist qualified small businesses with expanding outdoor capacity during the weather months. Eligible businesses may apply to receive between $1,000 and $10,000 in funding for weatherized, temporary outdoor facilities, while eligible municipalities and local organizations may apply to receive up to $15,000.
LEO identified COVID-19 federal funding to assist Michigan businesses in their winterization efforts and the grants are provided through the federal CARES Act.
SBAM president Brian Calley said “Fully utilizing outdoor seating and capacity has been critical to businesses across the state in their efforts to operate safely through this COVID-19 pandemic. And with winter weather diminishing that capacity, providing businesses with the assistance they need to expand and weatherize their outdoor capacity is an important way to help small businesses stay afloat but keep everyone safe this winter.”
Commercial firms and nonprofits with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in the following industries are eligible to apply for funding. They include restaurants and/or bars, banquet centers, retail stores, gyms and fitness centers, local governments, including cities, townships, villages and counties that provide common space for businesses, and commercial property owners who provide common space for tenants
Michigan-based business owners and other eligible applicants can use to the grant funds to construct temporary structures such as canopies and igloos or purchase portable heaters, outdoor furniture and tableware, cooking equipment, and other related safety and security upgrades necessary to increase outdoor capacity for carryout and delivery services. All funds must be used in support of weatherization of outdoor capacity expansions and the construction of permanent structures is not an allowable use.
Grant funds are available for purchases made between August 1, 2020 – December 30, 2020.
Interested businesses are invited to submit an application for weatherization grants on www.MiWinterGrants.org. Applications must be submitted beginning at noon EST on November 18, 2020. Grants will be awarded to eligible businesses on a first-come, first-served basis with special consideration given to awarding at least 10 grants in each of Michigan’s prosperity regions. For full details and to learn more visit SBAM.org/weather.
