GM renews funding for the Moving Flint Forward Grant Program

Today, General Motors (GM) and the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance announced a third round of its grant program created to help Flint small businesses grow and thrive. Thanks to $210,000 in additional funding from GM, the Moving Flint Forward Small Business Grant Program will award 15 grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses in Flint that meet certain criteria.

The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and must be used to advance the businesses’ operations, such as expansion projects, making repairs or leasehold improvements, purchasing inventory and equipment, or façade improvements.  Additionally, in an effort to help address racial disparities within the community, a majority of the grants will be awarded to diverse-owned businesses.

“General Motors is thrilled to continue to support local businesses through the Moving Flint Forward Small Business Grant Program,” said Terry Rhadigan, vice president of corporate giving at GM. “Over the past two years, grant recipients have made a tremendous impact on the community, and we are excited to play a role in Flint’s continued revitalization as we enter year three of the program.”

“We know from our research that improving access to capital or providing direct financial support is the best way to help locally owned and operated small businesses succeed,” said Tyler Rossmaessler, executive director of the Economic Alliance, a division of the Flint & Genesee Group. “Toward that end, GM, through both its capital investments in its automotive operations here and corporate philanthropy, continues to be a key partner in our efforts to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial support system.”

This year’s program is open to anyone who owns and operates a small business within the city of Flint. Small businesses for this program are defined as having 20 or fewer employees and may not be a franchise operation. However, previous grantees of the GM-funded program are not eligible for this round of grants. In addition, funds may not be used for payroll, rent, staffing, mortgage payments, or debt service on any federal, state or local taxes owed.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of representatives from GM, the Economic Alliance, the City of Flint, local grant-making organizations and community members.

Technical assistance will be provided to assist with the application process, implementation and tracking of grant activities to ensure requirements are met and businesses are using funds appropriately. Grantees will also be connected to resources that will help bolster the capacity of their businesses beyond the grant period. Grantees will have access to networking opportunities and workshops on various topics, such as online digitization of services/goods, leadership styles, navigating access to capital, workers’ compensation and labor laws.

The application is available at developflintandgenesee.org/moving-flint-forward-application-process/.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. March 18. Applications may be submitted online, mailed or hand-delivered to the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, 519 S. Saginaw St., Flint, 48502. Mailed applications must be postmarked by 5 p.m. March 18.

An informational webinar for prospective applicants will be held Feb. 21 from 9-10 a.m. The webinar, which will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, will cover eligibility requirements and use of funds. Click here for event details. If applicants have additional questions after the webinar, Economic Alliance staff will be available to answer questions Feb. 24 from 10-11 a.m.

Grant recipients will be notified the week of April 4.

More information about the Moving Flint Forward Small Business Grant Program, including the online application, process for completion and submission deadline, is available at developflintandgenesee.org/moving-flint-forward/. For questions about the application or grant program, please contact tjoseph@flintandgenesee.org.