Small Biz Boost: $2, 500 Grants and Coaching for Washtenaw Owners

The county has opened a new window of help for local entrepreneurs who felt the squeeze of COVID‑19. A fresh grant program gives up to $2, 500 to small businesses that kept running through the pandemic and offers free coaching from two local partners. The initiative is run by the Office of Community and Economic Development and teamed up with Resourceful Reese and Community Compliance Consultants. Each partner can take ten businesses into their program, giving a focused support experience. Business owners can pick between two different paths. One is a 10‑week course with Resourceful Reese that starts early in February and runs on a rolling application basis. It focuses on long‑term stability, mixing grant money with expert lessons and one‑on‑one guidance.The other option is a shorter, six‑week sprint with Community Compliance Consultants that begins mid‑February. It pushes businesses to rebuild fast, offering hands‑on coaching in finance and operations while preparing them for future funding opportunities. To be eligible, a firm must have no more than five staff members (owner included), have been open before March 16, 2020, and be based in Washtenaw County. Owners should earn no more than about $80, 600 for a household of two, which is roughly 80% of the local median income. Businesses that shut down during the pandemic but want to reopen also qualify. Interested parties can find all details and apply through the county’s website or directly on each partner’s site. The program is a chance to get both cash support and the know‑how to keep growing after tough times. The effort is part of a broader push to strengthen the local economy and help small businesses thrive again.