EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has allocated $250,000 in discretionary funds to launch a Business Relief Program (BRP) for DDA businesses that are suffering financial hardship as a result of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
Brick-and-mortar businesses located within the DDA boundaries can apply for a $2,500 business relief grant through the program. A total of 100 DDA businesses will be awarded grants.
“In these uncertain times, we hope these grant funds will assist our DDA businesses in staying afloat as they face the unprecedented economic challenges of this public health crisis,” said East Lansing DDA Chair Peter Dewan. “In recognition of the immediate needs of the local business community, our goal is to get these grant funds out the door and into the hands of business owners as quickly as possible.”
The BRP application is expected to be open from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5 through Thursday, May 7 at 11:59 p.m. via a web-based form at www.cityofeastlansing.com/businessrelief. Eligibility requirements, scoring criteria, frequently asked questions, a map of the DDA boundary, a PDF of the application questions (for information purposes only), the award/distribution timeline and contact information will be posted to the webpage in advance to help businesses prepare to apply.
Applications will be reviewed through a fair and impartial, multi-level review process using the scoring criteria established by the DDA. The review process will be conducted by a multi-entity panel selected by the DDA and comprised of representatives from the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), Capital Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW!).
It is anticipated that awarded grant funds will be delivered to businesses by close of business on Wednesday, May 20. Business owners with questions about the East Lansing DDA BRP can email businessrelief@purelansing.com.