As the Flint area emerges from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to invest in local businesses continues, particularly for minority-owned businesses and those that are doing business in underinvested areas. Research tells us that the best way to aid these businesses is to provide direct financial support or access to capital.
One of the ways that Flint & Genesee Group accomplishes this is through the Moving Flint Forward (MFF) grant program, funded by General Motors. The program supports revitalization efforts across Flint’s neighborhoods by strengthening small businesses. Just recently, our Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance division and GM announced the third round of grants awarded to 15 entrepreneurs to help reduce barriers to growing their businesses.
While the financial support is important, we also know that small businesses, which have limited capacity to begin with, need more support than a onetime infusion of capital. So, in addition to the financial award, our MFF team allocates substantial efforts to one-on-one counseling, provides connections to other small business resources, and helps with implementing grant-focused activities and keeping track of those activities to increase the overall sustainability of these businesses beyond the grants.
The grant recipients also have access to various professional development offerings to help bolster their skillsets in their areas of interest. The top three types of trainings requested by the grant recipients are marketing, bookkeeping and legal/HR.
The 2022 cohort brings the total number of small businesses supported through Moving Flint Forward to 45, receiving $450,000 in funding to support growth opportunities and create stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods. Some of the grantees from the latest cohort include:
- Lewis Landscaping, a lawncare business operating in north Flint. Owner Isaac Crawford will use the grant award to purchase new equipment such as a string trimmer and a larger utility trailer that can haul and store materials, which can help the landscaping business expand its services and gain new customers.
- The Best of the Best Carpet Clean, a carpet cleaning business located in north Flint, offers commercial and residential carpet cleaning options. Owner Charles Smith will use his grant award to purchase equipment such as additional shampooers, have repairs performed on the company van, and marketing and advertising support.
- Jessica Hatter Photography, a photography studio based in a downtown Flint neighborhood. Owner Jessica Hatter will use her funding to purchase studio lighting, photography and equipment, props, etc., and further invest in business education.
I am excited to see how each of the projects turn out. I urge anyone reading this blog post to visit developflintandgenesee.org for lists of the grantees from all three cohorts. You may have use for services from one of the businesses, be able to lend support or, there may even be an opportunity for a partnership. You never know.
Tim