Dec
Venture North Funding & Development is announcing $64,250 in grants to 16 small businesses in Emmet County thanks to financial support from the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation. Venture North’s ten-county Regional Resiliency Program is designed for small businesses with nine or fewer employees impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Small businesses are a vital part of our community, as employers, as providers of goods and services and in their overall role in our local economy,” said David (DJ) Jones, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “These small businesses give our community its unique character and serve our community in a variety of ways. While we know this funding won’t eliminate the negative impact of the pandemic on their businesses, these grants are intended as a lifeline to help sustain these businesses as they work to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19.”
The Regional Resiliency Program was created by Venture North in May 2020 with a $200,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation. By the end of the year, over $500,000 in funds contributed from a number of supporters will have been granted to over 170 small businesses in Venture North’s ten-county region of northwest Lower Michigan.
“We are grateful for the Community Foundation’s leadership and resources to support the Regional Resiliency Program and these grants to small businesses in Emmet County,” said Laura Galbraith, Executive Director of Venture North. “We hope to bring more resources to Emmet County and our entire region to provide added support for small businesses, the majority of which did not receive help from the first round of Federal stimulus funding. If there is new Federal stimulus legislation, we will offer our help to businesses in securing those resources as well.”
“To address the devastating impacts of the pandemic requires continued collaboration to marshal the resources to protect our health and quality of life,” said David Jones. “This partnership with the Resiliency Program, Venture North and small businesses is a great example of making resources available during these challenging times. We support and look forward to continuing efforts to bolster the people and organizations of Emmet County as we work through the pandemic together.”
Emmet County businesses receiving Regional Resiliency Program grants from $2,000 to $5,000 include:
| Between the Covers | Harbor Springs Therapy and Wellness |
| Center City Gym | Julienne Tomatoes |
| The Center Salon | Know Way Out |
| Ciarra Claire | Magic by Jania |
| Cochon Gourmet Market & Coffee House | Northern Copy Express |
| Ernesto’s Cigar Lounge and Bar | Polish Kitchen |
| Flowers from Sky’s the Limit | Taylor Rental |
| Hanni Gallery | Wendy’s Cleaning Services |
Venture North Funding and Development is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that specializes in supporting economic growth and jobs by making capital available to small businesses. Venture North administers the Regional Resiliency Program that provides grants of up to $5,000 to northwest lower Michigan businesses with nine or fewer employees.
Donations to the fund can be made online here or by contacting Laura Galbraith at 231-357-6776.