LANSING – The State of Michigan will distribute up to $409 million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds as grants to eligible businesses who have suffered financial hardship due to COVID-19. The Michigan Department of Treasury is administering this grant.

What Types of Businesses are Eligible?

Afflicted businesses cannot be tax exempt. Eligible business include:

  • Entertainment venues
  • Recreational facilities/public places of amusement
  • Gyms/Exercise facilities
  • Food service establishment
  • Cosmetology or barber services
  • Nursery dealer/grower
  • Athletic trainer
  • Body art facility
  • Hotel or bed and breakfast

View Details on Eligibility

https://www.michigan.gov/abr/eligible-businesses

Eligibility Requirements

Under the Afflicted Business Relief Grant Program, eligible businesses in operation before October 1, 2019, may receive a percentage of their loss in total state sales through a grant. Eligible businesses that began operating between October 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020, may receive a grant equal to 25% of certain specified costs.

Depending upon the number of businesses that apply, the grants may be prorated to ensure that all eligible businesses can receive funding.

Eligible businesses applying for a grant will be required to include tax and other financial information and documentation to support their claims.

Businesses include: Self-employed, an independent contractor, sole proprietorship with no employees, or had paid employees affected by at least 5% of the year.

Calculating Hardship

https://www.michigan.gov/abr/financial-hardship-grant-award-amounts

Application Details

The application will open at 8:00am ET on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. An application must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on March 31, 2022. Paper applications will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted online only. These applications are NOT first-come, first-served. Grant amounts may be prorated based on number of eligible applicants.

How & When to Apply

https://www.michigan.gov/abr/how-and-when-to-apply

Learn More in an Upcoming Webinar

February 17th 9am – 10am [ https://www.michigan.gov/abr/events/2022/02/17/afflicted-business-relief-program-overview-webinar ]

February 22nd 10am – 11am [ https://www.michigan.gov/abr/events/2022/02/22/afflicted-business-relief-program-overview-with-mrla ]

March 7th 1pm – 2pm [ https://www.michigan.gov/abr/events/2022/03/07/afflicted-business-relief-program-overview-webinar ]

Frequently Asked Questions

https://www.michigan.gov/abr/faqs/documentation

If you have additional questions after reviewing the materials, please reach out to Alexa Kramer, SBAM’s Director of Government Operations, at [email protected]. [ mailto:[email protected]?subject=Afflicted%20Business%20Relief%20Grant%20Question ]