Last call for businesses to receive virus grants

This is the last call for Macomb County small businesses to get financial help in dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses with 50 to 500 employees may be eligible for a $10,000 grant and businesses with 1 to 49 employees may be eligible for up to $5,000, county officials said Monday in a news release.

This will be the final chance for businesses to seek assistance from the county for pandemic-related issues.

The funds are part of the $70 million of more than $150 million the county has received in CARES Act funding and other state or federal funding that it is distributing to businesses via various programs. Officials have said they would like every business that wants and is eligible for a grant to get one.

The funds must be doled out by the end of this year.

“We know there are organizations that we have yet to help. This grant is for those companies,” said Vicky Rad, director of the county Department of Planning and Economic Development, in the release. “It does not need to be paid back, and it can be used for rent, utilities or payroll. For some, it can be a lifeline. So I’masking the community to reach out to us, because our goal is to ensure our local businesses receive the support they need right now.”

The grant application process will remain open until noon Nov. 2.

To be eligible, Macomb County businesses must be a “brick and mortar” shop that was registered prior to Sept. 1, 2020 or a homebased business that was registered prior to March 16, 2020, have a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN), demonstrate a need to cover payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses and/ or other similar expenses that are considered ordinary in the course of business and be willing to sign an affidavit stating that grant funds will be used to cover losses or expenses incurred by the pandemic

Ineligible businesses include independent contractors (1099 employee), businesses that are publicly traded or are a national franchise and those that have already received or been approved for a Michigan Small Business Relief Program (SBRP) Grant, Michigan Restart Grant or previous rounds of the Macomb County Small Business Sustainability Grant.

An application must include a hand-signed W-9 form (signed and dated within 12 months), handsigned and dated affidavit , a bill within the last 30 days that includes the business name or owner’s name and business address and proof of business registration.

For more information, visit business. macombgov. org/ business-sustainability-grant-last-call.