By Jim Bloch
Ten small businesses in St. Clair County have been awarded as much as $11,500 each from the Eastern Michigan Small Business Network in its ongoing effort to help the firms recover from the economic downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year’s grant continues the progress of the Eastern Michigan Small Business Network toward creating the next generation of businesses in Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, and Tuscola Counties,” said Dan Casey, chief executive officer of the Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County, in a press release. “The results since the inception of this program in 2024 have been overwhelming and positive.”
The EDA launched the grant program to fortify companies that are still recovering from the pandemic and poised to grow, thus benefitting the entire region. The money, a total of $2.5 million, filtered down to ECSBN from the U.S. Department of Treasury through the state of Michigan and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
“The EDA is working closely with participating Region 6 partners and key partners such as the Michigan Small Business Development Center to successfully promote and administer this grant opportunity,” said Casey.
The EDA of St. Clair County administered the grant awards.
Ironically, the county itself is no longer a member of the EDA. In March, the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to suspend any funding to the EDA – the county had been contributing $315,000 per year to the organization — and to suspend any in-kind services to the alliance. The board justified its pullout by alleging a lack of transparency at the EDA and the use of nondisclosure agreements between the EDA and the companies it tries to attract to the county.
The 10 companies that won grants are Alexander’s Premier Banquet Facility and Catering in Marysville, $7,700; BMJ Engineers & Surveyors, Inc. in Port Huron, $5,000; Huron Title Company in Port Huron, $11,500; M3 Industrial Contracting in Ira Township, $7,000; Maria’s Bar, CJ’s in Port Huron Township, $4,999; Murphy Inn in St. Clair, $8,365; the Raven Café in Port Huron, $7,857; Sunsation Products in Cottrellville Township, $7,000; Viking Fitness Center in Marysville, $5,000; and Blue Water Controls in Clyde Township, $3,575.
Jeff Bohm, the owner of Viking Fitness, sits on the board of the EDA, one of 29 board members.
Recipients may use their grant funds for new equipment or furnishings, inventory, software purchases or upgrades, specialized consulting services, and training.
According to the press release, EDA of St. Clair County is a private non-profit organization that creates economic prosperity by attracting businesses to the county, retaining them through expansion, and focusing on small business development, talent attraction and regional marketing.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
