Small Businesses Get Support from “Michigan Women Forward”

The Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund awarded grants to 300 small businesses to help get them through the challenges of 2020. Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined some of the recipients at a virtual roundtable to discuss the launch of the Support Local campaign and to look for more federal support.

Whitmer said, “Despite the adversity we have all faced this year, our small businesses have proven what it means to be a Michigander, by rising to the occasion and exemplifying true innovation, collaboration and Midwestern grit.”

The grant money was administered by Michigan Women Forward, an organization that encourages women to play an active role in philanthropy and governance. Carolyn Cassin, President and CEO of Michigan Women Forward, said, “We named the fund ‘the Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund’ since that is exactly how to best describe Michigan small businesses – resilient.” 

Some of the money for the Resilience Fund came from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, along with partners in the private sector, such as Ford, GM, and several major banking institutions. They plan to support even more small businesses in 2021.

More information can be found at:

michiganbusiness.org/covid19-faq/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland