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LEAP’s new Department of Equitable Economic Planning, or DEEP, will be led by Tony Willis. He says he wants DEEP to eliminate barriers that have prevented people from taking full advantage of the economy.
Willis adds that “when Black business is doing well, when Hispanic business is doing well, when women’s business is doing well, everybody benefits.”
Willis includes veterans among those eligible to get help from his office.
The new department has long-term goals that include support for supply chain advancement, and the implementation of progressive business policies.
Along with this new department, LEAP provides an entrepreneurship program called One and All, which offers business coaching to underrepresented populations.
Should businesses that violated health orders be eligible for Michigan’s COVID-19 aid grants?
Updated Feb 09, 2021;
Posted Jan 28, 2021
Michigan restaurants have been closed for indoor dining since Nov. 18. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com
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Michigan is distributing money to businesses hurt by the latest COVID-19 partial shutdown.
It begs the question – should businesses that illegally stayed open or otherwise violated health orders still be eligible for the aid?
The latest $55 million small business grant initiative was approved by the Legislature in December, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is coordinating the program.
The MEDC is having 15 economic development organizations from across Michigan decide how to distribute the money to businesses in their respective regions. The application period for the Small Business Survival Grant Program ended last week and the 15 groups have until the end of February to decide who t
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
LANSING – The Michigan Strategic Fund today approved two grant programs – the Michigan Small Business Survival Grants and the Michigan Stages Survival Grants – totaling $58.5 million in relief to help meet the urgent needs of small businesses and live event venues impacted by the COVID-19 virus, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced.
The State of Michigan appropriated the funds through SB 748, signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Dec. 29, to implement the programs to support Michigan’s small businesses that have been especially impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“From the beginning, my administration has been deeply committed to providing some crucial support to Michigan’s small businesses that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “With these grant programs, we can provide immediate assistance to those businesses. As we work to distribute the
Hundreds of New Jobs to Invigorate Economic Activity in Charlotte and Surrounding Lansing Region
Used with Permission, Shyft Group, 2020
The Shyft Group Logo
and last updated 2021-01-12 09:00:23-05
CHARLOTTE, Mich. â The Shyft Group, Inc ., formerly Spartan Motors, is ramping up hiring at its Charlotte campus with plans to add hundreds of new jobs to help the commercial fleet and specialty vehicle manufacturer meet fleet vehicle demand in 2021. Shyftâs expansion project will bring an influx of new individuals, families and economic activity to Charlotte and the surrounding Lansing region, including new students in K-12 schools, revenue for municipal services, shoppers to downtown retailers, new neighbors and homeowners and additional philanthropic giving to support community needs.