During Governor Whitmer’s, Stay Home-Stay Safe Initiative, BFI's staff has had the opportunity to survey and interact with over 350 Bay County businesses while offering direct financial support to 59 of them. We have made it our goal to connect with every manufacturer in Bay County and have worked with 75 manufacturers in direct support of them through best practices and introductions to COVID-19 awareness and prevention programs and resources through our partners. 

We have been the sub-recipient of grants and have worked with community partners to develop new initiatives to assist small businesses (more information can be found here). To date, we have worked on more than 40 Bay City and Bay County community initiatives helping to lead and support local economic sustainability and vitality. Our July newsletter highlights many of these recent initiatives and the impact they are just beginning to have on our community.   I am excited to share with you a new grant opportunity for small businesses, just announced yesterday, Bay City CBDG-CV Small Business Relief Grant with $300,000 in grant funds available! We have been working in collaboration with City staff to offer this opportunity to the small business community in Bay City. I encourage you to share these resource with your network of Bay City business owners or to take advantage of these resources yourself.   We are grateful to offer this grant as it will surely help to ease some of the financial burden our small businesses continue to face. For more information:   View Press Release   View Program Overview   View Full Program Guidelines   Bay City CBDG-CV Small Business Relief Grant Application   Bay City CBDG-CV Microenterprise Grant Application       Happy reading and stay safe,   -Trevor Keyes, EDFP President & CEO Bay Future, Inc.

Bay Future, Inc. on behalf of the City of Bay City and Downtown Bay City, was awarded $50,000 in grants aimed at supporting the COVID-19 economic recovery efforts of small businesses through the Match on Main COVID-19 Response Program developed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).   Sixteen businesses located in downtown Bay City will receive the funds. 22 Michigan communities throughout the state will receive nearly $1 million in grants and 299 businesses will receive assistance.   Click to Read Full Press Release

“Match on Main will provide funding to small businesses in Bay City that make our community unique and create the vibrant downtown that both our residents and visitors enjoy,” said City of Bay City Manager, Dana Muscott.   “We’re hopeful that these funds will give businesses the boost they need as they begin reopening and operating in the COVID-19 recovery.”

Downtown Bay City businesses receiving $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funds   Business-boosting agencies staying focused on recovery efforts   16 Bay City businesses receive state grants to stay open; another 4 turn to crowdfunding for help

Base Camp Fitness   Bemo's Bar

Bay City Boat Lines   Regent Floral & Mercantile

It is the mission of Williams Charter Township to provide for the health, safety, and well being of all the citizens of Williams Township by providing municipal leadership dedicated to democratic principles, sound fiscal management and planning, and by preserving and enhancing the features that make Williams Township unique in order to improve the quality of life for present and future generations.   For more information visit http://www.williamstwp.com/   Williams Township has been proactive in planning and preparing for future investment in the community.   Thank you Williams Township for your investment in economic development and in BFI!

Program Highlight   Resources for Reopening & Returning to Work In an attempt to help our manufacturers and small businesses prepare to reopen or to continue on in a safe and legal manner during the economic recovery, Bay Future, Inc. and Bay City Chamber of Commerce prepared a webinar focused on topics critical to you and your business.   Click the video below to watch.   The industry professionals and experts presenting on specific topics: Catherine Gase – Lead Economic Development Specialist -Small Business Administration (SBA). Barton Pickelman - MIOSHA Director, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Sheril Tarrant - Director of Business Services and Community Relations-Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works.       Buy BC   Thank you Bay County for your support! Through the Buy BC gift card stimulus program, nearly $70,000 has been injected into the economy through the 70+ small businesses participating! Gift cards are still available for purchase, get yours while supplies last! Buy BC Gift Cards