- Applications are now open for the first round of Main Street Connected Grant Program grants, which will award up to $2,500 to provide technology and digital support to small businesses.
- The first round of grant applications closes at the end of the business day on Aug. 4, 2024. A second round will be open in the fall.
- For more information, contact Erick Phillips in Oakland County’s Economic Development Department, at phillipse@oakgov.com or 248-858-4070.
Applications are now open for the first round of grants of the Main Street Connected Grant Program, a new partnership between Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) and MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), aiming to provide up to $2,500 in technology and digital support for eligible small businesses.
Applicants are expected to make a dollar-for-dollar match for the grant. Applications close at the end of the business day on Aug. 4, 2024. Costs covered by the grant include labor, software, and hardware directly connected to implementing the following eligible projects:
- Development or use of data analytics software
- Payment processing software or equipment purchases, including Point of Sale (POS)
- Website creation and e-commerce support
- Social media or digital marketing costs
- Cybersecurity and data protection
- Customer relationship management (CRM) costs
- Project or inventory management software costs
- Creation or implementation of pop-up operations or public markets
"This grant program demonstrates our commitment to providing small businesses with the tools they need to become even more competitive in this digital age,” said County Executive Dave Coulter. “Ensuring the vitality and growth of our downtown communities across Oakland County is one of our top priorities."
Qualifying businesses include startups and businesses that have been open less than a decade and are located within MSOC communities where MSUFCU operates. These are Auburn Hills, Berkley, Birmingham, Clarkston, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Ortonville, Pontiac, Rochester, Royal Oak, Southfield and Wixom. Pop-up businesses that have operated consistently for at least six months within these districts are also eligible.
“We are proud to support the small businesses that form the backbone of our downtown communities in Oakland County,” said Arianna Ridderbusch, vice president of community impact at MSUFCU. “With five MSUFCU branches in Oakland County and a sixth on the way in Novi, it was important to support the Main Street Connected Grant program to foster digital growth for both new and existing businesses. Through this partnership, we are reinforcing our commitment to helping our communities thrive and ensuring the vitality of our local economies."
Grants will be issued as reimbursements after project completion and verification of final costs. Local Main Street programs will monitor approved projects to ensure compliance with grant guidelines.
Small businesses are encouraged to work with their Main Street managers to apply. A second grant round will be held in the fall. For more information, contact Erick Phillips, senior local business development consultant for Oakland County’s Economic Development Department, at phillipse@oakgov.com or 248-858-4070.
This innovative program is designed to support the attraction, retention, and growth of small businesses in designated historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial corridors across Oakland County.
“Private sector partnerships such as this one with MSU Federal Credit Union are vital to Main Street Oakland County and the thousands of local entrepreneurs represented in the Oakland County's designated Main Street Communities,” said John Bry, MSOC program coordinator. “Technology continues to shape how we buy and interact with local businesses, and we are thrilled this new grant program will assist local entrepreneurs and downtown management organizations to remain competitive in the ever-changing world of online shopping and digital marketing.”
About MSU Federal Credit Union
Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has earned a national reputation for excellence and numerous industry and workplace awards. MSUFCU operates 24 branches, serves over 360,000 members, and manages $7.8 billion in assets with over 1,200 employees. For more information, visit msufcu.org.
About Main Street Oakland County
Established in 2000, Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) is a trademarked program of the National Main Street Center, focused on economic development in historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial corridors. Since its inception, MSOC has driven over $967 million in new investments, established more than 2,700 businesses, and created nearly 8,200 jobs. More than 508,000 volunteer hours have been contributed towards community projects and initiatives.
