LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — 28 communities across Michigan have been awarded a total of $1,011,057 in grants aimed at supporting small local businesses.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer made the announcement on Thursday, December 16, stating that the grants are designed to create resiliency and strengthen downtowns through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC’s) Match on Main grant program, ensuring that the state continues its strong job growth after adding 67,000 jobs in the last three months.
“The Match on Main grants are helping us put small businesses first and build on the 145,000 jobs we added last year by continuing to invest in our communities and main streets across the state,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am so grateful to our hardworking, innovative small business owners who form the backbone of our economy, create jobs, and help countless local communities thrive. We will continue investing in them as we usher in a new era of economic prosperity for Michigan.”
MEDC’s Match on Main program provides funding to communities that participate as a select and master level community in the Michigan Main Street program or are a Certified Redevelopment Ready community. The communities, who receive the grant funding from the MEDC, in turn award grants of up to $25,000 to eligible businesses seeking support.
The grants are expected to create or retain 75 full-time and 153 part-time jobs, and the projects are expected to generate a total private investment of more than $1.7 million.
Among the recipients in Southwest Michigan receiving a $25,000 grant include The Albion Economic Development Corporation, The City of Allegan, along with the Wayland Main Street Downtown Development Authority.
