In a boost to Flint's economic scene, 24 local enterprises are celebrating extra cash flow after being awarded grants by the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance and General Motors (GM). The grants, which total $205,000, were given out on National Small Business Day, and they aim to bolster the city's small business sector. This is the fifth year the Moving Flint Forward Small Business Grant Program has supported the community's entrepreneurs.
The program distributed 17 grants worth $10,000 each to newcomers and provided $5,000 each to seven past recipients, according to Mid-Michigan NOW. The total given out since the program's inception has now surpassed $1 million. "As we celebrate Moving Flint Forward’s five-year anniversary, we are excited to add a new cohort to the grant program’s legacy," Tyler Rossmaessler, executive director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, was quoted, as per FLINT & GENESEE GROUP.
Businesses such as I Love Pig, INC, a food vendor known for their arepas and Cuban sandwiches, and Harris Family Health, a direct primary care clinic, are among the beneficiaries. The owners of I Love Pig, for instance, plan to expand their product distribution, particularly their popular mom's sauce, to more homes in Flint. "The community has opened their arms for us. We're being accepted so well," Gustavo Martin of I Love Pig told abc12.
Other benefited businesses include everything from comedy improv troupes, and landscaping services, to non-emergency transportation companies. Each aims to utilize the funding for various purposes, like upgrading facilities, purchasing inventory, or enhancing marketing efforts. For Dr. Aisha Harris, who founded Harris Family Health, the grant means growth without compromising daily finances. "Now, I can pursue opportunities that I wasn't quite ready to financially," Dr. Harris said, per FLINT & GENESEE GROUP.
The grant program, which has affected 79 businesses in Flint since its inception, has a community-centered vision for the future. As part of GM's long-standing commitment to Flint’s economy, these grants act as a catalyst for the community’s ongoing regeneration. Beyond financial aid, recipients also receive technical assistance and attend workshops, girding them with essential business skills. Applications for the grants were evaluated by a panel including representatives from GM, the city, and local community organizations, demonstrating a collaborative approach to bolstering Flint's business landscape.
