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The Michigan Strategic Fund, through the federal CARES Act and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, made available $100 million in grant funds to eligible small businesses and nonprofits in Michigan. Lakeshore Advantage administered $3.5 million of that funding for businesses and nonprofits in Allegan and Ottawa counties. Thirty percent of the Restart Grant funding was required to be awarded to minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses.
428 small businesses and non profits received funding in Allegan and Ottawa Counties, see the full list of companies awarded HERE.
See the Lakeshore Advantage press release HERE
Graphics Representing Restart Grant Awards in Allegan and Ottawa Counties
Application Review Criteria
The following factors will be considered during the application review process for small businesses and nonprofits in Allegan and Ottawa Counties:
- Number of employees that will be hired as a result of Restart Grant
- Revenue lost due to COVID-19 emergency
- Business ownership (Ex: Is it a franchise? Locally owned? Women, minority or veteran owned?)
- Organization’s commitment to servicing, employing and/or supporting vulnerable populations and/or small businesses
- Current operating capacity
- Organization’s attempts to introduce new products or services and/or adapt existing products or services in order to maintain revenue during COVID-19 emergency
- Industry
- Number of years in business
- Amount of grant funding requested
- Number of employees
- Stage of business (Ex: Startup)
- Average hourly wage of employees
- For-profit/Non-profit status
Allegan and Ottawa County Application Review Committee
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Mike Ramirez (Chair), Orka Automation |
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Holly Johnson (Vice Chair), Frey Foundation |
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Mandi Brower, Quality Car Wash |
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Esperanza Degnan, Mercantile Bank of Michigan |
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Ada Delgado, Macatawa Bank |
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Boyd Feltman, Peachwave |
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Nick Genova, Haworth |
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Robert Heath Sr., Legacy Leadership |
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Phil Koning, West Michigan Community Bank |
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Kavy Lenon, Herman Miller |
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Kris Lewis, Allegan Credit Union |
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Scott Lubbers, 5/3 Bank |
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Joe Matthews, Gentex |
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Jennifer Owens, Lakeshore Advantage |
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Chih-Hsuan (Sandy) Pierce, Padnos |
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Jennifer Remondino, Warner Norcross + Judd |
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Amy Sparks, Nuvar Manufacturing |
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Chris Streng, Great Lakes Financial Insurance Agency |
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Jenny White, Velo City Cycles |
The Lakeshore Advantage team and their strategic partners are deeply committed to maintaining an equitable and unbiased grant review and selection process. The official members of the Lakeshore Advantage Restart Grant Review Board are encouraged to share general information within their communities about the grant opportunity. However, board members are not allowed to discuss or comment on individual applications. Instead, all inquiries relating to specific applications should be directed to
info@lakeshoreadvantage.com.
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