LEAP to distribute $5.5 million in federal funds for grants

The Lansing Economic Area Partnership will distribute $5.5 million in grants to small businesses and nonprofits, the agency announced Tuesday.

The funds originated from the $100 million that the state received from the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund.

More:12 Greater Lansing businesses get relief loans totaling $600,000 through MEDC

More:A sense of urgency: Black entrepreneurs hope to create a resource for small, Black-owned businesses

To be eligible for the grants, organizations in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties must have 50 or fewer employees and must be experiencing difficulties due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses that have previously received Michigan Small Business Relief Program grants, also distributed by LEAP, are ineligible.

The maximum grant will be $20,000, LEAP officials said, with the application period expected to open on July 15.

"According to the legislation, a minimum of 30 percent of all funds will be awarded to small-business owners from eligible underserved populations as defined by the state including women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses," LEAP said in a release.

The agency said it would also be working with the NAACP of Lansing, the Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Alane Laws-Barker of the Black Business Alliance of Greater Lansing and the Refugee Development Center, among other organizations, to "determine the best way to allocate grant funds efficiently and equitably."

LEAP had previously overseen the disbursement of $1.2 million from the Michigan Economic Development. Corp. in grants and loans.

Contact business reporter Christian Martinez atcmartinez@lsj.com or (517) 267-1342. Follow him on Twitter at @ChristianM_CA.

Support local journalism: Purchase a Lansing State Journal subscription here.