Virtual Business Support & Resources
MEDC and its partner organizations continue to
deploy resources and facilitate opportunities to support Michigan businesses during this unprecedented time.
See what resources are available to you from your home office.
International Consultation
MEDC's International Trade Program offers virtual and over-the-phone consultation to identify needs and connect you to resources and opportunities that align with your goals. Virutal resources include website translation, market research, SEO consultation, and legal support. Work with your regional International Trade Manager to see what services are available for your company right now.
Did you plan on attending a trade show that has been cancelled or postponed? Contact your ITM by phone or email today for guidance on other possible opportunities.
Resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 are available at michiganbusiness.org/covid19.
International Trade Centers
MEDC's in-market experts serve over 90 countries offering business matchmaking services, customized market research, pricing analysis, and more. For companies looking to reach established or emerging markets, MEDC's international trade centers offer simple, responsive, and comprehensive services and are available online or over the phone.
The centers' local expertise and deep market knowledge work to connect Michigan companies with the vetted buyers and partners best suited to each individual company's objectives. Click here to see where MEDC has coverage. Contact your ITM to schedule a call with our local experts today.
More MEDC Support
Pure Michigan Business Connect Virtual Procurement, Donation Assistance:
The MEDC launched a new free, statewide online procurement and donation platform through its Pure Michigan Business Connect program for buyers and suppliers of critical health and human services across a broad range of categories, including local municipalities, to minimize the impact of the virus in the state. The platform will allow health and human service providers across Michigan in need of critical supplies to connect with vetted Michigan businesses and municipalities able to provide or donate goods and services.
Buyers that could benefit from the virtual platform include childcare facilities, community centers, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, municipalities, food distribution centers, homeless shelters, non-profits and more. Items to supply could include medical devices, pharmaceuticals, cleaning supplies, testing supplies, textiles, paper products, vitamins, water and more.
Michigan Small Business Relief Program Offers Funding to Businesses Impacted by COVID-19:
The news follows the authorization by the Michigan Strategic Fund to fund the Michigan Small Business Relief Program, which will provide up to $20 million in grants and loans to support businesses facing drastic reductions in cash flow and the continued support of their workforce.
The program authorizes the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to provide up to $10 million in small business grants and $10 million in small business loans to provide emergency relief to businesses directly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The MEDC anticipates that at least 1,100 businesses across the state will benefit from this program. The Michigan Small Business Relief Program will be a top priority for the MEDC, with funds being available no later than April 1, 2020. More details will be shared once the application is available for eligible businesses to apply.
Other MEDC Resources, Programs:
MEDC is also encouraging businesses and communities throughout the state to learn more about its wide range of tools aimed at assisting Michigan’s small- and medium-sized businesses. In particular, the MEDC Access to Capital programs can provide greater availability of working capital during times of growth, change, or economic uncertainty. To support businesses and communities during this unprecedented time, the organization will also be evaluating other enhancements to programs such as its Entrepreneurship and Innovation, PlanetM, and Match on Main Street programs.
MEDC continues to support Michigan businesses and communities as they are impacted by COVID-19. Resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 are available at michiganbusiness.org/covid19.
SBA Conference Calls and Loans
Join the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce for a special topic conference call series. This series of conference calls will run through Spring 2020. Registration is FREE and one registration is need for the entire series as call-in details will be the same.
Conference call topics include:
• Cyber Risks in Teleworking
• SBA Disaster Loan
• HR Considerations in Teleworking
• ThomasNet Manufacturing Survey Results
• Aerospace/Defense related Issues and more!
Click here for call-in information or to view details on call topics.
SBA Disaster Loan
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans at www.SBA.gov/Disaster.
SBDC Webinars
The Michigan Small Business Development Center can also provide resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Visit their website for additional information.
SBDC’s upcoming educational series can help small businesses dealing with issues related to the coronavirus. Recordings will be available after the webinars on SBDC’s on-demand training platform. Please click the links below for complete descriptions and to register:
• Sustaining Your Restaurant Business During COVID-19 | March 26
• COVID-19 Conversations: Friday Forum | March 27
• COVID-19 Conversations: MEDC Services | March 30
Online Business Development Tools
Harnessing the power of localized websites and international online marketing can help companies grow their exports, sales, brands, and businesses without leaving the house. IBT Online will host a series of webinars in April so you can learn how to use these online tools to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Mark your calendars with the dates below and stay tuned for more details.
Website Localization | April 16
International Online Marketing | April 30
EXIM Bank Services
If you’re concerned that overseas customers may begin to slow-pay on receivables or, worse, go out of business, there are government-sponsored programs in place that can help.
The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. offers Export Credit Insurance which protects businesses from these scenarios and more, reducing the risk of buyer nonpayment and allowing you to commit to export sales without fear of loss during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Learn how Export Credit Insurance works by contacting Jan Blaho, Deputy Managing Director, at jan.blaho@exim.gov today.
Trade Missions Postponed
To ensure the health and safety of our community, Automation Alley’s trade mission to South Africa and Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governor’s and Premier’s trade mission to Japan and South Korea have been postponed. New dates for the trade mission to South Africa are not yet determined. The Japan and South Korea trade mission is rescheduled for August 17-21, 2020 and registration is open until June 2, 2020. More details on the Japan and South Korea mission can be found here.
MEDC Remains Open for Business Via Remote Operations
This week, Governor Whitmer announced critical steps in efforts to “flatten the curve” of the COVID-19 outbreak here in Michigan by signing Executive Order 2020-21. Out of primary concern for the health and safety of all Michiganders, Executive Order 2020-21 orders the closure of all businesses to the extent its workers are not necessary to sustain and protect life, effective at 12:01 a.m. on March 24, 2020 extending through at least April 13, 2020. The order also directs Michigan residents to stay home unless they are a part of that critical infrastructure workforce or an “essential” business.
In compliance with this order, the MEDC building closed onsite operations on March 24 and all MEDC staff – with the exception of a few select employees performing essential functions – are working remotely through April 13. During this time, the MEDC continues to be open for business, and we remain as committed as ever to providing high levels of customer services while enabling economic opportunity for Michigan residents.
For more information about the MEDC International Trade Program
visit our website or email export@michigan.org.
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