Add Capacity to Your Small Business During Colder Weather
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is providing federal CARES Act funds to help qualifying small businesses to expand their capacity by adding weatherized, temporary outdoor facilities.
Who is eligible? Commercial firms and nonprofits with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in these industries:
- 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
- Commercial property owners who provide common space for tenants
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.
Add Temporary Capacity in Colder Months
Here are some projects that would qualify for this grant:
- Temporary structures, such as canopies, igloos, and tents, to cover outdoor seating
- Portable heaters
- Outdoor furniture and tableware
- Outdoor cooking equipment
- Fencing; dividers such as planters, hangings, or Plexiglas panels
- Sanitizing supplies and equipment
- Security devices
- Electronic menu access
- Upgrades necessary to increase capacity for carryout and delivery service
- Delivery charges and labor for installation.
All funds must be used in support of the weatherization of outdoor capacity expansions. Construction of permanent structures is not an allowable use.
Application Process
- Consider what weatherization you could do at your business to expand capacity; or consider what you have done since August 1, 2020, to add capacity for the winter.
- Small businesses in qualified industries may submit grant requests between $1,000 and $10,000.
- Commercial property owners and municipalities will be considered for grants of up to $15,000.
- Submit your application on www.MiWinterGrants.org beginning November 18, 2020, at Noon EST (see grant application details below)
- Upon grant award, make your approved improvements/purchases or move to Step 4 if your updates are complete.
- Submit your receipt for reimbursement. Purchases must be made between August 1, 2020 – December 30, 2020. All receipts are due no later than January 15, 2021.
Applications open on November 18.
Grant approval will come on a first-come, first-served basis, with a goal of at least 10 per prosperity region for qualified applicants.
Learn more about application requirements at www.sbam.org/weatherization-grants
Download the informational flyer, here.