February 24, 2021
Media outlets across the state are repeating claims from state government that certain grants of taxpayer money have helped Michigan businesses keep 54,000 jobs during the coronavirus pandemic
But a closer look indicates it is highly unlikely that the handouts, called Michigan Small Business Survival Grants, do that.
MLive reported that, according to the state, the grants are “helping retain more than 54,000 jobs in Michigan.”
According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, it was up to each business to determine how many jobs would be retained or rehired at the time it applied for one of the grants.
The state then used these figures to claim that just that many jobs had been saved.
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Two of the region’s economic development agencies awarded more than $6.8 million to a combined 613 small businesses in West Michigan through the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program.
The Right Place and Lakeshore Advantage said Wednesday that in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and regional partners, they awarded funding to eligible West Michigan small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the recent Michigan Department of Health and Human Services epidemic orders via the $55 million Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program.
The Right Place awarded $4.98 million in grant funding to 426 small businesses in Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties, and Lakeshore Advantage awarded $1.8 million to 187 small businesses in Allegan and Ottawa counties.
cbleck@miningjournal.net
MARQUETTE Relief totaling approximately $52.5 million for nearly 6,000 small businesses across Michigan has been awarded to date through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Michigan Small Business Survival Grant program, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Wednesday.
“The Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program provides crucial support to Michigan’s small businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Whitmer said in a statement. “These grants, combined with additional business relief efforts offered by the MEDC, will create a strong foundation for Michigan’s long-term economic recovery.
“As we distribute the safe and effective vaccine and work to end the pandemic once and for all, I will continue partnering with leaders across the state and urging passage of the MI COVID Recovery plan to provide relief for our small businesses, protect public health and jump start our economy.”
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About $52.5 million in relief has been awarded to nearly 6,000 small businesses across Michigan through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation s Michigan Small Business Survival Grant program, officials said Wednesday. (Shutterstock)
OAKLAND COUNTY, MI More than $6 million in grant funding has been disbursed among over 1,300 businesses in Wayne County, helping the businesses feeling the effects of emergency orders issued amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic retain about 9,700 jobs, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday.
In all, about $52.5 million in relief has been awarded to nearly 6,000 small businesses across Michigan through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation s Michigan Small Business Survival Grant program, Whitmer said.
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About $52.5 million in relief has been awarded to nearly 6,000 small businesses across Michigan through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation s Michigan Small Business Survival Grant program, officials said Wednesday. (Shutterstock)
WAYNE COUNTY, MI More than $8.5 million in grant funding has been disbursed among 415 businesses in Wayne County, helping the businesses feeling the effects of emergency orders issued amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic retain about 3,100 jobs, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday.
In all, about $52.5 million in relief has been awarded to nearly 6,000 small businesses across Michigan through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation s Michigan Small Business Survival Grant program, Whitmer said.