Rep. Calley encourages local businesses hurt by pandemic to apply for relief

Grants available through program Calley helped create

State Rep. Julie Calley today encouraged business owners throughout Barry and Ionia counties to apply for an afflicted business relief program she helped pass into law.

Calley and the Legislature approved a bipartisan plan last December to create a $409 million relief program for businesses that have struggled the most because of the pandemic. A business’s property taxes, unemployment insurance taxes, license and inspection fees, and decline in sales will factor into the grant amount.

“Small businesses like gyms, hair salons and coffee shops have struggled since they were forced to shut down for months during the pandemic,” said Calley, of Portland. “We created this program to help local businesses get back on their feet and make up for some of the fees and taxes they still had to pay while they weren’t allowed to operate.”

The application for the program will be open until March 31. Calley encouraged local business owners to visit michigan.gov/abr to learn more and apply.