CARO - State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) joined U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development leaders today in announcing $188,500 in federal grants that will help jumpstart job growth and economic development in Huron and Tuscola counties.
"This federal funding is essential to helping folks in our community start or expand their own businesses," Brown said. "We have a lot of innovative people in the Thumb with great ideas who can get their ventures off the ground once they receive the right resources and coaching. Small businesses make up the heart of our economy - in fact, they make up 98.4 percent of all Michigan employers. By helping more entrepreneurs succeed, we will make our local economy stronger and more diverse."
The USDA Rural Development grants are:
$45,000 for Tuscola County's Enterprise Facilitation Project, the only one of its kind east of the Mississippi River. The program works in connection with the internationally known Sirolli Institute, providing free, confidential coaching and resources to help residents to start or expand a business. It's designed to not only help individuals, but to truly stimulate the local economy, one project at a time.
$65,000 for an Economic Gardening Pilot Project in Tuscola County, run by the Small Business Association of Michigan. This is another initiative to encourage the growth of local businesses from the ground up.
$70,000 to help build a covered structure for Port Austin's Farmers Market, which will attract more consumers and tourists to buy new products from local growers, craftspeople and artisans.
$8,500 to help the Village of Mayville buy equipment for a small downtown business.
"I will keep working hard with other community and business leaders to attract top-notch employers to our area," Brown said. "At the same time, we need to support the growth of businesses right here in our own backyard, and that's what this funding will do."