Lansing CARES Small Business Assistance Program

In Phase 3 of the City of Lansing and the Lansing Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Recovery Program, the Lansing CARES Small Business Assistance Program will provide easily forgivable loans and disaster planning assistance to small businesses negatively affected by COVID-19. This program is funded through the City of Lansing’s additional Community Development Block Grant funds through the CARES Act. 

Awards will range from $5,000-$50,000 and will be 0% interest deferred unsecured forgivable loans. Funds can be used to support operating expenses (e.g., payroll, rent/mortgage, utilities, etc.).

Eligibility and Timeline: 

Please review the Program Overview for detailed eligibility, timeline, and program information. 

Application and Review Process:

There is a two-stage application process. Once you have reviewed the Program Overview document, you are encouraged to complete the simple pre-application to determine eligibility as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are all committed or exhausted.  For assistance filling out your Pre-Application, please review the Pre-Application Walkthrough document. 

If your businesses is found to be eligible based on the Pre-Application, and as funds are available, you will be given access to disaster planning assistance. Once you have completed the disaster planning training, and as funds are available, you will be given access to the more detailed Full Application. Once access is given, you will have approximately two weeks to complete the Full Application. You are encouraged to review the type of information the Full Application will require ahead of time in the Full Application Info Document. For assistance filling out the Full Application, please review the Full Application Walkthrough document and watch Best Practices Consulting Services’ Full Application Walkthrough video.

Each submitted Full Application will then undergo an underwriting. Awards decisions will be made by a Review Committee based on underwriting and community impact.

Register and submit a Pre-Application here: purelansing.com/begin

Return to/finish your Pre-Application here: purelansing.com/pre-application

Frequently Asked Questions:

Please review the FAQ document for additional information about the program and term definitions. 

US Conference of Mayors Small Business Webinar

If you were not able to join the United States Conference of Mayors and Mayor Andy Schor on Monday, December 14th, please visit the following link for a recording of the webinar, https://youtu.be/3BGZH6NhNfM. In the webinar Louis Mosca, of American Management Services shared six proven strategies that will help you boost revenue, maximize profit, and grow your business.

Additionally, the American Management Services, is offering free business management strategy sessions. To schedule a call email, [email protected] and in the meantime to learn more, check out their website at http://www.amserv.com

Business Assistance Resources

• Michigan Women Forward Resilience Microloan and Grant Fund
• LEAP One&All Inclusive Entrepreneurship Program

• Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs COVID-19 Reopening Resources
• Downtown Lansing Inc. Building Customer Trust Kit
• MEDC Reopen Main Street Guide
• MIOSHA Ambassador Program