The Department of Treasury is administering a $409 million business grant relief program to help certain businesses that have experienced hardship due to COVID-19. Under the “Afflicted Business Relief Grant Program”, eligible businesses operating between October 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020 and are currently open for business, may receive a grant equal to 25% of certain specified costs. To be eligible, a business must have had a decline in Michigan sales of more than 5% between calendar year 2019 and calendar year 2020. Tax exempt entities do not qualify. Businesses must add any forgiven PPP loans, a percentage of any Federal Restaurant Revitalization receipts and any other state or local rewards received in determining its total sales.
Eligible business types include:
- Entertainment venues
- Recreational facilities and public places of amusement
- Barbers and cosmetologists
- Exercise facilities
- Food establishments
- Nursery dealers and growers
- Athletic trainers
- Body art facilities
- Hotels and bed and breakfast establishments
The grant language includes many sub classifications within each of the above eligible businesses, to further explain those businesses which may be eligible.
The grant amount will be calculated as a percent of a business’ “financial hardship,” which includes the following costs paid in calendar year 2020:
- Property taxes
- Total lease costs paid for the calendar year 2020
- 50% of state unemployment taxes
- Any on-premise liquor license fee
- Any license or food inspection fee
The application becomes available online Tuesday, March 1 through Thursday, March 31, 2022. Awards are determined based on eligibility and financial hardship calculation. It is not based on a “first come, first served” process. Late submissions will not be considered. All applications must be completed online at www.michigan.gov/abr.
Applications will be reviewed, and awards determined starting April 1, 2022. All awards will be issued by July 1, 2022.
Depending on the number of businesses that apply, the grants may be prorated to ensure that all eligible businesses can receive funding.