What's New in the Blog

Start Garden adapts Michigan’s most popular business competition to support entrepreneurs shut down by COVID-19

Start Garden has launched an initiative that will provide $300,000 in funding to area entrepreneurs whose companies are in jeopardy of closing due to COVID-19. Applicants will have 100 hours to apply (Tuesday, April 7- Friday, April 11). They will need to record a 100-second video explaining why they need money to support them through the next 100+ days and upload to www.100.startgarden.com. Funds will be distributed in mid-April. Grant amounts will vary based on need. Grantees can use the money however they wish to support themselves, the business or their families.

Business Resources - COVID - 19

We know this has been circulating quite a bit, but in case you missed it, here are links to important information for businesses.

Continued Paycheck Protection Program Loan Guidance

Continued Paycheck Protection Program Loan Guidance 

We are hearing reports of scams related to the PPP loan program. The SBA will never contact you to initiate a loan. Click here for more tips. 

SBAM has put together some tips to help get you prepared to apply for the loan, and we anticipate to have more details and special resources released later today. Click here to learn more.

How A T-Shirt Is Saving A Small Business In Michigan

Jeffrey Mosher spoke with Ivette Lopez, Owner, Outdoor Beerdsman, Boyne city, MI, Wednesday, finding out about a concept which came about late last week has gone viral.

Last Friday Outdoor Beerdsman designed a shirt “That Woman from Michigan” and posted it online the same day and since then have received over 700 orders (as of midday Wednesday) while essentially will have saved her small business from closing.

Following President Trump’s signing of the historic Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin today announced that the SBA and Treasury Department have initiated a robust mobilization effort of banks and other lending institutions to provide small businesses with the capital they need.

Congress approved and the President signed into law, the CARES Act on March 27, 2020. Certain provisions within the ACT have an impact on current SBA loans in addition to creating new loan and grant programs. This is a high-level look at some of the major portions of the Act.

Following Peters’ Legislation Being Signed into Law CARES Act Last Week Included Peters-led Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act

DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today welcomed the State of Michigan’s announcement today that it will expand unemployment assistance to Michigan workers impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. The expansion was made possible because of Peters’ Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act, which was included in the federal, bipartisan Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law last week.