Doing Business In The City

dtwn_Downtown_02-lg(ms)The City of Dexter is a vibrant community with an excellent variety of existing businesses, as well as many opportunities for growth.
This Business Resources page contains resources for residents and visitors, as well as information for current and prospective business owners.
Please contact Community Development Manager, Michelle Aniol (734) 580-2233 or maniol@dextermi.gov if you have questions or comments about the content on this page.


MICHIGAN SMALL BUSINESS SURVIVAL PROGRAM

The Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved the $55 million Michigan Small Business Survival Program.  The Program is intended to provide grant funding to businesses that have been impacted by the recent MDHHS epidemic orders.

The Michigan Small Business Survival Program will provide funding to 15 local economic development organizations (EDOs) who will then administer grants to eligible small businesses that have experienced a significant financial hardship due to the recent COVID-19 emergency epidemic orders. Applications will open for the program at 9 a.m. EST on January 19 on michiganbusiness.org/survival, and will close at Noon on January 22.

Businesses that have been fully closed since November 18, 2020, may be eligible for up to $20,000 in grants, while those businesses that have been partially closed – or are otherwise open – may apply for grants up to $15,000. Funding through this program can be used to support working capital needs, such as payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, and other similar expenses.

The 15 partnering EDOs will ensure this program provides funding throughout all 83 counties in Michigan. You can go to michiganbusiness.org/survival to see a list of the 15 local EDOs and the counties they will cover through the program. This is also where businesses can begin accessing the application questions, find information on how to register in ConnectSpace prior to the application process, watch a video explaining how to navigate the application process and learn more about the eligibility criteria. The application itself will open beginning at 9 a.m. on January 19.

The application period for these grants will close at Noon on January 22, after which time the local EDOs will complete the application review process and make grant awards. Please note, all applications received during the application period will be reviewed and considered; grants are not being awarded on a first come, first serve basis. If you know of small businesses in your networks or organizations that may qualify for this support, we encourage you to pass this information along.

MICHIGAN STAGES SURVIVAL PROGRAM

The Board also approved the $3.5 million Michigan Stages Survival Program, which will support the state’s live music and entertainment venues that have been negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will open for the program at 9:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, January 21 on michiganbusiness.org/stages, and will close on January 28 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST.

Applications will be submitted to, and processed by, the Michigan Independent Venue and Promoter Association (MIVPA) who will recommend grant awards to the MEDC for disbursement by February 28, 2021. To access the program guidelines, FAQ and other resources, go to michiganbusiness.org/stages.

Paycheck Protection Program
Although the PPP ended on May 31, 2021, existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. A borrower can apply for forgiveness once all loan proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness have been used. Borrowers can apply for forgiveness any time up to the maturity date of the loan. If borrowers do not apply for forgiveness within 10 months after the last day of the covered period, then PPP loan payments are no longer deferred, and borrowers will begin making loan payments to their PPP lender. Click HERE to determine your eligibility and find out more about the application process.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE GRANTS
The  Employee Assistance Grants Application opens Friday, January 15th!  Employees can apply for up to a $1,650 grant, if they are employed in an eligible industry.  Click HERE to see a list of eligible industries and to access the grant application.

NEW CAPACITY LIMITS
There is a new capacity limits fact sheet, which you can access by clicking HERE.

STATE OF MICHIGAN GRANTS
Applications for state grants will open January 19th and close at noon on January 22nd.  Criteria has not yet been finalized. We will let you know just as the information is available.


STEPS TO ADDRESS WATER QUALITY IN BUILDINGS CLOSED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused many southeast Michigan businesses and facilities to shut their doors and suspend operations for an unprecedented length of time. In a moment with no shortage of things to worry about, the impact that this shutdown can have on the quality of the water sitting stagnant within building pipes may not be at the top of the public’s list. However, when the economy reopens it will be the responsibility of individual building managers to mitigate these impacts on the water quality in their premise plumbing.

A simple and effective way to purge the water that has been sitting stagnant inside of a building’s plumbing for days, weeks, or even months is to open all the water taps and let the water run freely. Hot water tanks may need to be flushed separately; instructions can be found on the GLWA website here. Flushing the system forcibly removes rust, corrosion byproducts, or particulates, and replaces the potentially degraded water with fresh and recently treated water from the local main supply. For buildings and businesses that are accustomed to seasonal or intermittent use, flushing may already be part of a regular maintenance routine. But for others that have never been continuously shuttered for more than a day or two, people may not be aware of the potential danger posed by stagnant water, or of the steps that need to be taken to ensure water quality.

Each building is different, so plumbing system needs and flushing best practices will vary based on their size, configuration, condition, and type of usage. Regardless of these specifics, flushing is an easy best practice that can and should be applied before returning to normal operations anywhere that water has been sitting unused for a prolonged period.

SBA CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): SMALL BUSINESS GUIDANCE AND LOAN RESOURCES The Small Business Administration (SBA) has put together a comprehensive list of resources available to help small businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis.  


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE
State Federal Corporate