MARQUETTE — As part of the Michigan Small Business Restart Program, a combined $4.5 million has been awarded to 730 businesses and non-profits across the Upper Peninsula, InvestUP announced.

Businesses located in each of the 15 U.P. counties received awards as a response to the continuing, profound economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The application process ran from July 15 through Aug. 5, and grantees were notified earlier this month of their selection. Grant eligibility was contingent upon a business or non-profit employing 50 employees or fewer and being physically located in the U.P.

It also depended on demonstrating that the business or non-profit is part of an industry or non-profit that can show it has been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency; needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other similar expenses; and demonstrates an income loss as a result of the COVID-19 emergency as determined by the Michigan Strategic Fund.

The state of Michigan allocated $115 million of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding received from the federal government to implement the Michigan Small Business Restart Program to support the needs of businesses throughout the state that were directly impacted by COVID-19. This funding was directed to the Michigan Strategic Fund and administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to support small businesses by providing funding through local economic development organizations throughout the state.

In the U.P., the MEDC designated InvestUP as the fiduciary of $4.5 million in grant funding to allocate to U.P. small businesses. InvestUP partnered with stakeholders from across the region to solicit and process applications as well as score the 1,330 applications that were received from around the U.P.

“Despite their incredible efforts to muscle through this crisis, the number of applications we received from small businesses further illustrates the profound need that the small business community has to manage this unprecedented challenge — which has also further demonstrated that small businesses are the heartbeat of the local economy,” said Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP, in a statement. “Judging from the number of heartfelt messages we received from the grantees who were selected, it is clear that for many, this funding was truly a lifeline.

“Our one regret is that we did not have the funds to address the needs of all who applied as selecting recipients here was so difficult, as those businesses and non-profits that were not fortunate enough to receive an award were very deserving and in need as well.”

Clare Tasson, the owner of Pine Grove Bar in Republic, said in a news release, “The grant has helped pay the bills that we needed to pay. It has been a great help and has been wonderful for us to have. We are getting caught up on everything. It has helped our bar so much.”

Of the funding awarded through this program, the legislature required at least 30% of that allocation to be awarded to eligible businesses that were women-, minority- or veteran-owned. That statutory threshold apparently motivated business owners from these three communities to apply for the grant in the U.P. as these businesses made up nearly 49% of all applicants, with nearly a like number of those applicants being selected.

The average grant award across all U.P. counties is just under $6,000.

A full list of grant recipients, which includes dozens of businesses in Marquette County, can be found at the MEDC website at www.michiganbusiness.org/restart/.

NMU numbers increase

Northern Michigan University’s Safe on Campus dashboard at https://nmu.edu/safe-on-campus/ has reported that between July 27 and Wednesday, there have been 64 cumulative positive COVID-19 cases. These include 30 on-campus students, 29 off-campus students and five employees.

There are eight active positive cases — four on-campus students and four off-campus students.

Exposure sites identified

The Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department has announced new possible COVID-19 exposure sites.

Anyone present at these locations during the times and days noted who develop COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of the date of exposure should contact their primary care providers or local health departments, or call LMAS at 906-643-1100:

≤ Shepler’s Ferry, 6:30 p.m. Friday, inside cabin, St. Ignace to Mackinac Island, and noon Saturday, Mackinac Island to St. Ignace, inside cabin;

≤ St. Ignace Truck Stop restaurant, 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday;

≤ Les Cheneaux Distillers, Cedarville, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and

≤ BC Pizza, St. Ignace, 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Frontliners program popular

With just over two weeks since the program launched, more than 60,000 Michiganders have submitted applications for the new Futures for Frontliners program.

The first-in-the-nation initiative provides a tuition-free pathway to college or a technical certificate to essential workers who do not have a college degree, including those who lack a high school diploma.

“Good-paying jobs and a stronger Michigan economy require more of us to have an education beyond high school,” Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio said in a statement. “The strong interest in Futures for Frontliners shows us that Michiganders are ready to build a brighter, more secure future for themselves and their loved ones.

“With the economic uncertainty that comes with the COVID-19 pandemic and the thousands of high-skilled jobs going unfilled, there’s no better time to add new skills.”

To ensure the continued progress toward Gov. Whitmer’s Sixty by 30 education attainment goal, Kerry Ebersole has recently been named senior advisor and director of the Sixty by 30 office within LEO.

“In order to help Michiganders on their path to learn new skills needed to succeed in high-demand, high-wage careers and help businesses fill critical talent needs, we need to remain laser-focused on key programs and partnerships to meet the Sixty by 30 goal,” Ebersole said. “By ensuring 60% of working-age Michiganders will have an industry-recognized certificate or college degree by 2030, we’re making sure our state remains economically competitive and helping businesses grow, all while fueling the future workforce and providing opportunity for all.”

To discuss how initiatives like Futures for Frontliners can help Michiganders succeed, and answer questions about the program and how essential workers can take advantage of this opportunity, LEO is hosting an initial series of regional Futures for Frontliners virtual town hall sessions with local education and workforce partners.

The session for the Upper Peninsula is planned for 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15. Learn more about Futures for Frontliners at www.michigan.gov/Frontliners, where people can sign up for the virtual session under the Press Releases tab.