August Twenty Twenty Newsletter
Monroe County's Lead Economic Development Organization geared up with a growth strategy for the 21st Century …

Small Business Restart Program Update
The application process for the Small Business Restart Program (SRBP) has closed and we are now in the review process.

Following months of economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 crisis, the federal government made small business support funds available. The Michigan legislature created a small-business restart program with $100 million received from the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund. Out of these funds, Monroe County will receive $1.2 million in grant funding. Monroe County received 295 applications in response to the grant offering, with requests equal to nearly $5 million.

A local committee was formed to review these applications which is comprised of staff members from the Monroe County BDC, the Monroe County Economic Development Corp., and the Monroe County Community Foundation. Each application is being examined using the following criteria:
  • The business or nonprofit is able to demonstrate it is affected by the COVID-19 emergency
  • Working capital is needed to support eligible expenses
  • The business or nonprofit has had an income loss as result of the COVID-19 emergency
  • Local Criteria includes phase of reopening, funding previously received and community impact
  • 30 Percent of the funds awarded will be provided to women-owned, minority-owned or veteran-owned eligible businesses.

Once the local committee completes their review, a list of the awardees will be submitted to Ann Arbor Spark, our regional economic development group lead. Ann Arbor Spark will in turn submit the entire 6-county region (Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Washtenaw, and Monroe) awardees to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The disbursement of funds will be handled by Ann Arbor Spark and is expected to be completed sometime in September.

We are hoping that the funding decisions made will benefit Monroe County's struggling business community during these challenging times. If we can help or you have any questions, the BDC staff may be reached via email at bdc@monroecountybdc.org or by calling 734-241-8081.
The Monthly Link Plan Update by Florence Buchanan
The COVID-19 Pandemic has not slowed the enthusiasm of the Link Plan volunteers. Although not all of the Pillar Teams have been able to sustain progress, the Enhance Local Image and Brand Pillar, led by Mike Bosonic, continues to work on the county-wide brand project. 

Phire Group, the community brand and marketing agency of choice, held the first of several scheduled virtual Focus Group meetings on July 31 with participants from the greater Monroe Area. The Focus Groups are being conducted to gain feedback on two brand panel recommendations created by Phire Group. The brand panels were created from the initial interaction and comments from the Pillar Team and the Stakeholder Committee.

For the overall success of introducing a county-wide brand, the Pillar Team aims to gain a wide variety of viewpoints and opinions from multiple sectors throughout the county such as government, retail, restaurants, business owners. The Focus Groups will continue into August followed by a county-wide survey to gain additional feedback. If you would like to participate in one of the Focus Groups, contact Florence (contact info below).

The Grow Strategically Pillar Team has been very active as well developing a collaborative strategy for SMEs (small-midsized enterprises) for both start-ups and grow-ups. The Pillar Team’s July meeting was focused heavily on developing a Business Development Hub structure with the goal of creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem. With this structure in place, the Pillar Team will be in the position to support the BDC’s efforts on small business development as outlined on page 33 of the Monroe County Link Plan. There will be much more to come from the Grow Strategically Pillar. Stay tuned as the Hub structure evolves.

The Talent Development, Prepare for Investment, and Quality of Life and Tourism pillars were unable to meet in July.
Want to participate? Contact Florence via email or call her at 419-654-1934. Learn more about the Monroe County Link Plan.
New State Program: Sixty by 30
A strong state – and a strong economy – requires a concentration of talented people who are prepared to compete in a modern workforce and solve future challenges.

These program and initiatives support Michigan’s goal to increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 45% today to 60% by 2030.

Sixty by 30 seeks to build a better Michigan in two ways:
  • Increase opportunity for all Michiganders and give residents greater access to the education and skills that create opportunities for better jobs and bigger paychecks.
  • Close the skills gap that challenges the success of our businesses and our state’s prosperity.

Today's jobs require skilled employees, as well as jobs on the horizon, demand greater education and training than ever before. Take a few minutes and browse through the free opportunities that exist: https://www.sixtyby30.org/
Workplace Safety Assistance
The one-stop-shop for COVID-19 workplace safety has recently been updated to improve your experience when navigating through the resources compiled by MIOSHA. 

Each industry has it's own webpage that includes the resources and guidelines specific to their line of work. The site is now easy to navigate and find information that is most relevant to your business or industry. 

Visit the MIOSHA Workplace Safety website.
Creating an Environment for Entrepreneurial Success
Monroe County was built on the backs of entrepreneurs. Individuals who decided to take a risk in the hopes of creating something. These somethings have gone on to spur billions in capital investment and create jobs that contribute to the development of our communities.

The Monroe County BDC and Promedica Innovations have teamed up to find more somethings. The Monroe County Matching Fund program is a revolving loan fund aimed at helping entrepreneurs get their ideas into reality. The program is geared toward startups and early stage grow ups in the tech, manufacturing and health fields that need a boost to get to them to the next stage.

Additionally, the Monroe County Link Grow Strategically Pillar team is working to identify gaps in entrepreneurial services throughout our area. In the coming months, they will be working with area partners to release a plan on creating an ecosystem that will work towards promoting and strengthening Monroe County as an ideal place for entrepreneurs to grow and thrive.
 
Contact the BDC and recommend entrepreneurs! Or, have them reach out to Matt by email
or by calling 734-241-8081 x 103. Together, we will create an environment of innovation and success in Monroe County!
Webinar Offerings
We are excited to learn that the Michigan Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) is restarting their webinar series this month entitled Fundamentals of Small Business Success. These sessions will assist businesses and business start-ups on their entrepreneurial journey to success.

Please click the button below and explore their offerings! These webinars are provided to Michigan residents at no-cost!
Have you responded yet?
More than 90 million households have responded to the 2020 Census. Have you?

If not, there’s still time to make sure Monroe County doesn’t miss out. Where there are more people, there are more needs — for schools, roads, and many other programs and services for families, older adults, and children.

We must make sure that you and everyone in Monroe County is counted! So, please ... click on RESPOND TODAY, then pass it along to your neighbors and co-workers ... let's get Monroe County some well deserved support!
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