Flint Township View

Kildee announces $950,000 in federal grants to support local coronavirus response


FLINT — Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, announced two federal grants to help communities respond to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as support local small businesses throughout mid-Michigan.

The two federal grants, for the East Michigan Council of Governments, total $950,000 and are through the U.S. Department of Commerce. The grants are supported by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), a bipartisan emergency aid bill supported by Congressman Kildee and signed into law March 27.

One federal grant, for $400,000, includes support for Saginaw to develop an economic recovery and resilience plan to address the economic impacts of the pandemic. The second federal grant, for $550,000, will be used to create a revolving loan fund to support the needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs who have lost business as a result of the pandemic. The revolving loan fund will be used to support small businesses in Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Iosco, Midland, Ogemaw, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola Counties.

“The coronavirus pandemic is both a health and economic crisis that has affected every Michigan family and small business. I am pleased to announce these federal grants to help our local community respond to the coronavirus pandemic. This pandemic is not over, and we need to continue supporting our communities, families and small businesses on the frontlines of this crisis.”

Congressman Kildee has been a fierce advocate for bringing resources back to mid- Michigan. Earlier this week, Congressman Kildee announced a $1.6 million grant to Tawas City and Iosco County to support small businesses and entrepreneurs hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, Kildee announced that 5,400 local small businesses had been helped through Paycheck Protection Program loans. Kildee also introduced the RELIEF for Main Street Act, a bipartisan bill to provide additional assistance for very small businesses with an emphasis on those that are minority- and women-owned. — G.G.