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COVID-19 Resources

Hello,

My name is Kimberly Marrone and I'm the Economic Development Director for the City of Oak Park.

I'm working hard to identify available resources for businesses during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at kmarrone@oakparkmi.gov or call my cell phone at (810) 706-3297. If I am unavailable, please leave a message and I will call you back.

This is a difficult time, and I want to help our Oak Park business community the best I can as we all try to navigate through these stressful and rapidly-changing times. Please make sure you visit this site often and read through what has been posted.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Marrone
Economic Development Director

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Available Grants and Loans
small business survival grant

The Michigan Strategic Fund today approved two grant programs – the Michigan Small Business Survival Grants and the Michigan Stages Survival Grants – totaling $58.5 million in relief to help meet the urgent needs of small businesses and live event venues impacted by the COVID-19 virus, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced.
The State of Michigan appropriated the funds through SB 748, signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Dec. 29 , to implement the programs to support Michigan’s small businesses that have been especially impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
“From the beginning, my administration has been deeply committed to providing some crucial support to Michigan’s small businesses that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “With these grant programs, we can provide immediate assistance to those businesses. As we work to distribute the safe and effective vaccine and end the pandemic once and for all, I will continue to partner with leaders across the state to provide relief for our small businesses and their employees.”
 
The Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program will provide $55 million in grants to meet the urgent need of Michigan small businesses that have experienced a significant financial hardship due to the recent COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask orders.” Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to businesses that are fully closed, with grants of up to $15,000 awarded to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact.
 
MSF also approved the $3.5 million Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program, which will provide up to $40,000 in one-time grants to eligible Michigan live music and entertainment venues that have experienced a significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michigan Small Business Survival Grants to provide critical relief
The Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program is intended to meet the urgent need of Michigan businesses who have experienced a significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask order” issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in December 2020.
 
The Michigan Small Business Survival Grants will be administered by 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) covering all 83 counties across the state. A single, statewide application for the program will be live at michiganbusiness.org/survival on 9:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, January 19 through 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST on Friday, January 22. Grants will be reviewed and awarded by the EDOs based on eligibility requirements and local priorities and objectives, not on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Businesses must meet the following eligibility requirements:
  • Had 1 to 100 employees (including full-time, part-time and owner/employees) on a world-wide basis on November 17, 2020.
  • Is in an industry that demonstrates it is affected by the DHHS epidemic orders.
  • Needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses.
  • Can demonstrate an income loss as a result of the Order as determined by the EDO in which an eligible business is located.
  • Is not a live music and entertainment venue that is eligible for the Michigan Stage Survival grant program.
Individual EDOs may have additional eligibility requirements, which businesses will be able to access from the michiganbusiness.org/survival landing page. EDOs will also have discretion on grant awards up to the maximum of $20,000 for businesses that are fully closed and $15,000 to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact.
 
Employee Assistance Grants
The Employee Assistance Grants were made available by Senate Bill 748, and are designed to provide support to employees impacted by the MDHHS Gathering and Face Mask Order that took effect on November 18, 2020. The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation is administering this grant program.
 
What is the application period for the Employee Assistance Grants?
 
The application period will open on January 15, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. and will be available until January 25, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. The grants are not first come, first serve and the application will be open for submissions for the entirety of that 10-day period. Please take the time to ensure your application is complete and correct.
 
Who is eligible to apply for the Employee Assistance Grants?
Employees who were impacted by the MDHHS Gathering and Face Mask Order of November 18, 2020.
 
For more information and to apply click here
 
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Funding
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
Applications are open now through the Small Business Association. To get more details and a link to the application please click here.
 
Please note these are loans and do have a deferred payment for the first year.
 
Paycheck Protection Program 2 (PPP2) Funding
The second round of funding opens January 11. Applicants that received funds in round two can apply again for this second round. Also, those who did not apply in round one can apply through this round. Please note there are a few changes tot he program as outlined below. To apply contact your local bank.
 
 
The second round of PPP loans is similar to the first, with several important differences. Highlights include:
  • A total of $284 billion is available to first- and second-time eligible borrowers, through March 21, 2021.
  • Eligible first-time borrowers include: businesses with 500 or fewer employees that are eligible for other U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans; sole proprietors, independent contractors, and eligible self-employed individuals; not-for-profits, including churches; accommodation and food services operations with fewer than 300 employees per physical location.
  • Loan amounts: 2.5 times monthly payroll costs (3.5 times for accommodation and food service employers classified in North American Industry Classification System Code 72), with a maximum amount of $2 million.
  • Payroll costs include group life, disability, vision, and dental insurance costs.
  • Organizations drawing a second PPP loan must have fewer than 300 employees (or less than 500 for accommodation and food service employers classified in NAICS Code 72), must have used or will use the full amount of their first PPP loan, and have experienced a 25% decrease in gross revenue in any 2020 quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019.
  • The loan coverage period is flexible – recipients may choose any timeframe between 8 and 24 weeks.
  • Forgivable costs have expanded to include certain operating expenses, property damages from public disturbances, supplier costs, and worker protection (PPE).
  • Shuttered Venue Operator Grants, totaling $15 billion, are available to live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. These funds, however, can’t be used in conjunction with PPP funding.
  • Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loan advances are no longer deducted from PPP loan forgiveness. In addition, $20 million is allocated for EIDL advances through Dec. 31, 2021.
  • Business expenses paid with forgiven PPP loans are tax-deductible, superseding disputed IRS guidance that such expenses could not be deducted.
  • Forgiveness applications for loans under $150,000 will be simplified to a one-page certification, similar to the EZ forgiveness application previously provided.
 
Applications can be made  through your bank or CFI now.   In the meantime, it’s a good idea to talk with your financial advisor, assess your financial situation to determine whether applying for a first or second PPP loan is the right choice, and prepare the necessary documentation if you’re going that route.
Information provided by Rehmann.
 
 
 





 


Oak Park Business Assistance Package
Oak Park City Council passed a resolution in support of the Business Assistance Program. The program has been created to provide additional tools to help our businesses. The package can be found in its entirety here. It includes:
- Additional temporary signage allowed (see guidelines in package)
- Outdoor dining fee waiver (see guidelines in package)
- Sidewalk sales (coming soon)
- Business license late fees for year 2020 will be waived
- Grants through Patronicity and the Corridor Improvement Authority
- Reduced advertising fees in the City Magazine
- BUY LOCAL Campaign to support our businesses
- Farmers Market tables for retailers and restaurants free of charge (details coming soon - one of each per week to be selected by application)

Payroll Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application
If your business received funding for PPP, you are required to complete and submit a forgiveness application. This can be found on the SBA website here.

Free PPE 
If you are a business in Oak Park with a current business license and are in need of PPE supplies please email kmarrone@oakparkmi.gov with the following information:
- Legal Business Name
- Address
- Business Phone
- Contact Person
- Email Address
-What supplies are needed
Once the information is received a follow up email will come with instructions for pickup and what supplies we have for you.   

Resources for our Businesses
- Oak Park Restart Toolkit

Recovery Readiness - How to reopen your workplace
- Toolkit provided by Cushman and Wakefield

For a template on your reopen strategy please click here.

COVID-19 Tax Relief for Business
- IRS Website

For videos of how to manager your PPP Loan or EIDL loan and their tax implications see guidelines on the SBA website here.

Other resources
Oakland County One Stop

Pure Michigan Business Connect

Small Business Association of Michigan

Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce

Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce

Oakland County Michigan Works
- Please visit their website to get information on giving temporary leave as opposed to layoffs, the work share program (if you are reducing hours of an employee they can get reduced unemployment benefits), some businesses are experiencing rapid growth based on the new demand in certain sectors. If you are in need of posting jobs visit mitalent.org or call 1-800-285-WORKS to post your jobs.


Pure Michigan Business Connect - Some businesses that have the capacity to make new products have been reaching out as well. We encourage these businesses to visit the Pure Michigan Business Connect website to see the demand that is needed by product.

Work Share - If employers are financially distressed but hope to continue operations by cutting back hours, they are encouraged to use the Unemployment Insurance Agency’s Work Share program that allows employers to maintain employment levels and business operations during declines in regular business activity rather than laying off workers. More information about the program can be found at www.michigan.gov/workshare.

Other Resources
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s call center stands ready to support businesses looking for assistance through other available state programs. For more information, visit the MEDC’s website: www.michiganbusiness.org or call (888) 522-0103. The Michigan Small Business Development Center can also provide resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Visit their website www.sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19 for additional information.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.