Small Business and Microenterprise Grant Program

The City of Grand Rapids is providing grants up to $5,000 to qualifying small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.  About $1 million in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds will assist small businesses and microenterprises with payroll, rent, mortgage, utility, or similar business expenses. See the program overview and requirements below to determine whether you are likely to qualify.

Apply

 Applications are accepted online.

Apply Online

A Citizen Access account is required, and you can find information on how to create an account here.

Application Assistance

For help with any part of the application, contact one of these partner organizations:

Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses

info@grabblocal.com
616-238-0969

People First Economy (Local First)

info@localfirst.com
616-808-3788

West Michigan Asian American Association

Covid.wmaaa@gmail.com
616-920-0284

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

ana@westmihcc.org
616-452-3960

Program Overview & Requirements

To be eligible, your business must meet all of the following requirements.

  • Have up to 25 employees
    • Small Business – businesses with 1-25 employees, or
    • Microenterprise – businesses with 1-5 employees, including the owner
  • For profit businesses only. Nonprofits are not eligible.
  • Have a physical location (no internet only or home-based businesses)
  • Located in the General Target Area
  • Must have been in business as of October 1, 2019
  • Comply with local, state or federal laws (e.g. marijuana-related businesses are prohibited)
  • Not owe past due taxes, fines, fees or other debts to the City.

The business must have at least one of the following benefits for low- or moderate-income persons.

  • The microenterprise business owner (or owners, if there are more than one) are low- or moderate-income, or
  • At least 51% of the employees retained by the business are low- or moderate-income, or
  • The business provides goods or services to residents of a low- or moderate-income residential area (like a grocery store, laundromat or coffee shop).

Low- or moderate-income is based on household size and household income as shown on the table below.

Income Eligibility Requirements
80% of Area Median Income
Household
Size		 Income Limit
1 $44,950
2 $51,350
3 $57,750
4 $64,150
5 $69,300
6 $74,450
7 $79,550
8 $84,700
Effective: July 1, 2020
Income limits are subject to change.

Grant awards will be prioritized in the following order:

  • First priority - Businesses that have not received any other grants or federal assistance (like Paycheck Protection Program loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, or grants from the Kent County Small Business Recovery fund)
  • Second priority - Businesses located in the City’s Third Ward
  • Third priority - Businesses located in the Neighborhoods of Focus outside of the Third Ward
  • Fourth priority - Business that retain the greatest number of jobs

Contact

Economic Development
econdevshrd@grcity.us
616-456-3462

Apply

Once you have determined you are eligible for the program, apply using the link below.

Apply Here

Technical Assistance

If you need help applying, reach out to any of the organizations below. 


Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses
info@grabblocal.com
616-238-0969

 

People First Economy (Local First)
info@localfirst.com
616-808-3788

 

West Michigan Asian American Association
Covid.wmaaa@gmail.com
616-920-0284

 

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
ana@westmihcc.org
616-452-3960

Application Process

You can see an outline of the application process here.

Coming Soon!

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