The City of Flint, in partnership with LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) Flint, is excited to announce the launch of the Flint Small Business Rescue Fund — a targeted grant initiative designed to support the recovery of local small businesses still facing the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, this program will provide one-time reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 to 20 eligible small businesses located within Flint city limits.
The application window will open April 18, 2025, and close April 30, 2025. Eligible businesses may apply to be reimbursed for qualified expenses incurred between March 3, 2020, and October 31, 2023. Covered expenses include payroll, rent, utilities, equipment purchases, and other pandemic-related costs. Applications will be reviewed by LISC Flint, and if demand exceeds available funds, a random lottery will determine final awardees.
“Through prayer, planning and partnership, we will continue to strengthen economic outcomes,” said Mayor Sheldon Neeley. “Small businesses are the heartbeat of the Flint community, and they deserve every opportunity to thrive.”
“The Flint Small Business Rescue Fund represents a critical investment in our local entrepreneurs who kept going through some of the toughest economic conditions we’ve seen in decades,” said Juan Zuniga, Executive Director of LISC Flint. “This City of Flint provided funding is about resilience, recovery, and restoring community wealth from the ground up.”
To be eligible, businesses must:
To qualify, businesses must:
SIPI, Inc. will host multiple support sessions for prospective applicants:
To register or request support, email [email protected].
The pre application intake form needed to start the application process, will be available upon request to LISC Flint or SIPI Inc, at [email protected]. Grant awardees will be notified by June 2025.
