Regional small businesses could get up to $20,000 in funding as part of a grant program opening Dec. 16.
The Eastern Michigan Small Business Network will begin accepting applications on Dec. 16 for its 2026 Small Business Grant Award Program. The program will provide up to $20,000 to eligible businesses in Shiawassee, Lapeer, Tuscola, Huron, Sanilac and St. Clair counties, according to a community announcement.
Applications will be accepted through Dec. 23. Awards will be given to the highest-scoring applicants in each county. In total, $227,394 is available.
The program is funded by a Small Business Support Hub grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., which uses a portion of the state’s American Rescue Plan funding.
The Eastern Michigan Small Business Network expands Michigan Small Business Development Center services, coaching and mentoring and provides counseling and assistance for up to 40 small business clients per year through its Entrepreneurial Cohort Program.
Grant applicants must have a physical location or ownership residence in one of the six participating counties. Eligible uses of the grant funding include equipment, furniture, inventory and software or hardware priced at up to $4,999 per unit. Ineligible expenses include payroll, building-based constructions costs and gifts or prize money.
The full list of eligibility criteria and eligible/ineligible expenses can be found at easternmichigansmallbusinessnetwork.com.
Grants hope to help COVID-19 impacted businesses
The 2026 Small Business Grant Program is being administered by the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County in partnership with other economic development agencies and the Michigan Small Business Development Center.
Awards will be announced Jan. 9.
“We are pleased to present this amazing funding opportunity to our Region 6 communities,” Dan Casey, CEO of the Economic Development Alliance and administrator of the Eastern Michigan Small Business Hub grant, said in the announcement. “Capital is essential to growing businesses. These funds also will help businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.”
Grant applications will be reviewed and scored based on responses, with the highest-scoring applications in each county receiving the funds.
For more information on the grant program and how to apply, visit easternmichigansmallbusinessnetwork.com.
This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@usatodayco.com with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
