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Façade Grants Available in the Downtown District.

June 10, 2021 By Joe Pagano

One of the ways that the Downtown Development Authority supports small business in the district is through the use of Façade Grants.  The purpose of the Commercial Façade Rehabilitation Program is to provide financial assistance to property and/or business owners with the renovation of commercial buildings and structures within the City of Flat Rock Downtown Development Authority (DDA) district.

The goal of is to facilitate commercial revitalization; stimulate private investment; to preserve and beautify the commercial areas; to upgrade the physical image of the Downtown district.  To be eligible for the Program, the property to be rehabilitated must be located within the Downtown Development Authority district.  Buildings and structures eligible for rehabilitation under this Program must be commercially zoned and developed for uses permitted by the Zoning Ordinance.

Some of the general rules are;

  • Improvements to be funded by grant or loan must be located on an exterior wall of the building.
  • All proposed improvements must be approved before the work is commenced.
  • Applications shall be reviewed by a committee composed of the Economic Development Director and Director of Building and Safety then the recommendation will be forwarded to the DDA for review and action.

Improvements  eligible for funding under the program are those  listed  below:

  • Façade
  • New windows and
  • Decorative lighting
  • Canvas
  • Structural and surface repair of exterior walls and overhangs.
  • Repainting.
  • Renovation/replacement of exterior devises and lighting
  • Landscaping (e.g., trees, bushes, planter boxes/pots, enhanced paving) when integral to the improved façade treatment of the
  • Fencing used to enclose outdoor dining areas (not located within public right-of-way).
  • Screening of mechanical equipment visible from the street or parking lot.
  • Screening of dumpsters.
  • New signs or the rehabilitation of signs.
  • Parking lot repair or development as an integral part of a larger project.

 

This information is NOT complete.  To acquire the entire program guidelines including the district map CLICK HERE.

 

 Downtown Flat Rock

 

Filed Under: Financial

COVID-19 Vital funding for the State of Michigan small businesses

March 19, 2020 By Joe Pagano

Michigan Small Business Relief Program will provide up to $20 million in grants and loans to Michigan’s small businesses impacted by COVID-19 outbreak

LANSING, Mich. – Economic assistance for small businesses around Michigan that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus gained approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

“We understand small businesses across our state are facing unprecedented challenges as we take every step possible to mitigate the spread of coronavirus,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Through decisive actions like those taken today by the MSF Board to authorize relief for small businesses throughout Michigan, we are leveraging every resource available to support our businesses, communities and entrepreneurs around the state impacted by this outbreak.”

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program approved today authorizes the MEDC provide up to $20 million in support for small businesses. The funding is divided between $10 million in small business grants and $10 million in small business loans to support businesses facing drastic reductions in cash flow and the continued support of their workforce. Click Here for that site.

The $10 million in grant funding will be provided to local or nonprofit economic development organizations throughout the state to provide grants up to $10,000 each to support certain small businesses that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 virus.  CLICK HERE for this info.

In order to qualify for grant support, businesses must meet the following criteria:

*   The company is in an industry outlined in Executive Order 2020-9, or any subsequent Executive Order of similar intent (“EO”), or demonstrates it is otherwise affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as meeting additional criteria;
*   The company has 50 employees or fewer;
*   The company needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business; and
*   The company is able to demonstrate an income loss as a result of the EO, or the COVID-19 outbreak.

For State of Michigan information on this CLICK HERE.

Additionally, the program will authorize the MEDC to provide up to $10 million for small business loans to one or more Community Development Financial Institutions (“CDFI”) or a licensed SBA not-for-profit institutions (“Eligible SBA Non-Profit”), or directly from the MSF to eligible borrowers to be used to provide low-interest loans with flexible repayment terms to support certain small businesses statewide that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Loans to eligible borrowers must be $50,000 or more and are capped at $200,000. For State of Michigan non-profit loans CLICK HERE.

In order to qualify for loan support, businesses must meet the following criteria:

*   The company is in an industry outlined in Executive Order 2020-9 (“EO”), or demonstrates it is otherwise affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, or is a company that provides goods and services to companies to the aforementioned;

*   The company has fewer than 100 employees;
*   The company needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business;
*   The company can demonstrate that it is unable to access credit through alternative sources;
*   The company can demonstrate an income loss of as a result of Executive Order 2020-9.

The MEDC anticipates that at least 1,100 businesses across the state will benefit from this program.

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program will be a top priority for the MEDC, with funds being available no later than April 1, 2020. Loan and grant proceeds under the Michigan Small Business Relief Program may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business. Through this program, in combination with other programs and services, the state will ensure economic support is available to Michigan’s small businesses to overcome anticipated loss of revenue as a result of the COVID-19 virus through both grant and loan opportunities.

“With the outbreak of COVID-19, many small businesses are faced with significant economic impacts, including challenges with cash flow and resources to support their workforce,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “The Michigan Small Business Relief program will provide immediate assistance to the small businesses around the state who are facing revenue loss as a result of tough, but necessary steps that have been taken to mitigate the spread of the virus.”

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program (CLICK HERE)  is the latest effort of MEDC to support Michigan businesses as they are impacted by COVID-19. MEDC has just launched a new free, statewide online procurement platform

for buyers and suppliers of critical health and human services across a broad range of categories to minimize the impact of the virus in the state. The platform will allow health and human service providers in need of critical supplies to connect with suppliers of vital goods and services. (Procedure Platform information CLICK HERE)

It also builds Governor Whitmer’s application for a U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration to ensure federal economic support is available to Michigan businesses. Earlier this month, Congress passed legislation making $1 billion available to the SBA to provide low-interest loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and nonprofits that have suffered substantial economic losses due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These loans offer up to $2 million in assistance to support businesses with any temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing due to the outbreak, and will have a significant regional impact for communities across the state as the COVID-19 situation evolves. (Small Business Disaster Loan information CLICK HERE)

For more resources for small businesses in Michigan impacted by COVID-19 (CLICK HERE)

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, CLICK HERE . For Pure Michigan® tourism information

Join the conversation on: MEDC Facebook

Join on Instagram at MEDC Instagram

Join on Twitter MDEC

And on LinkedIn

Michigan Economic Development Corporation,

300 N. Washington Sq.,

Lansing, Michigan 48913

Filed Under: Events, Featured, Financial Tagged With: business, Flat Rock DDA, flat rock mi, Flat Rock Michigan, restaurant, Shop Local, small business

April’s Business of the Month – Liberty Tax Service

April 2, 2018 By Joe Pagano

Flat Rock Our Home Town’s Business of the month of April 2018 is Liberty Tax Service.

Shahbaz Hussain (he likes to go by Hussain) owns and operates Liberty Tax Service located at 26654 Telegraph Road in Flat Rock. He owns 3 Liberty Tax Service locations in Flat Rock, Dearborn and Taylor. Hussain is he is very quiet, humble and extremely sweet. He is a family man, he talked quite a bit about his family, wife and 2 children. Unfortunately, he just got back from India as his father just passed.
Sitting down to discuss his business being chose for the featured business, Hussain was so appreciative. When asked why he chose to open in Flat Rock, Hussain said that he loved the small town, he grew up in a similar setting with very close family and Flat Rock reminded him of a close, family community. He liked that people all knew each other and the community supported each other.

Hussain has been in business for 10 years. He started working with his father-in-law at Liberty Tax Service 13 years ago. He said he has always loved accounting, numbers, he just loves math. Hussain and his wife both love accounting. His wife helps him a great deal. She helped run all three business while he was in India for his father’s funeral.

Waiting for Hussain to finish with his customer, we noticed how patient and helpful he was. We all know how painful taxes are and Hussain really makes it a pleasant experience. He also is very persistent about having coffee and treats! Hussain is a perfect fit for Flat Rock and brings a welcomed service to our community. The staff is family-oriented, friendly, and hardworking.

Liberty Tax Services, provides tax services from personal taxes to corporate taxes.

Liberty Tax Services
26654 Telegraph
Flat Rock, MI 48134

734-955-1040

Hours:
Tax Time-January thru April
Monday-Friday 9-7pm
Saturday 10-5pm
Sunday 12-5pm

SHOP LOCAL – SHOP FLAT ROCK

 

 

Filed Under: Events, Featured, Financial, Uncategorized Tagged With: downriver, flat rock mi, Flat Rock Michigan, flat-rock, tax service

Flat Rock Welcomes Liberty Tax Service

January 24, 2018 By Joe Pagano

Let’s welcome our second new business this year to Flat Rock.  The Ribbon Cutting for Liberty Tax Service took place on Tuesday January 23, 2018.
Pictured cutting the ribbon are Mayor Jonathon Dropiewski and business owner Shahbaz Hussain. Next to them on the left is Liz Hendley, Economic Development Director and on the right is Wayne County Chamber Rep. Ron Hinrichs, in the back row is Treasurer Brian Marciniak along with Liberty Tax employees, business owners and friends. Liberty Tax is located at the Matilda and Telegraph, 26654Telegraph Road.

Current Business Hours 9AM-8PM
Phone 734-955-1040

Email liberty7916@gmail.com

Filed Under: Financial Tagged With: business, downriver, Flat Rock DDA, flat rock mi, Flat Rock Michigan, flat-rock, michigan

Flat Rock Our Hometown presents the 2nd annual Fur Fest.

May 10, 2017 By Joe Pagano

Last Years Flat Rock Our Hometown Fur Fest Winner

This year’s Fur Fest is sponsored by Family Farm & Home! The 2017 Fur Fest is Saturday, May 20 at 10 AM – 2 PM at HuRoc Park, 28800 Arsenal Road in Flat Rock.

Bring your dog. Get a keepsake photo with your pet. Get free samples. Visit vendors. Support Flat Rock Animal Shelter and other homeless pets. Get dog training tips. Meet last year’s mascot Ace (wearing those sexy specs!). Get some ice cream. Compete in fun contests. Enjoy a day with your pet in Flat Rock’s beautiful Huroc Park!

Pet donations are welcome to donate to the homeless pets in our area.

Personal pets are welcome to come and join in on the fun!

For a printable flyer on the event including the schedule and vendor listing CLICK HERE.

For pictures go to Flat Rock Our Hometown Fur Fest facebook page.

Filed Under: Financial Tagged With: downriver, flat rock mi, Flat Rock Michigan, flat-rock, Fur Fest

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WELCOME TO FLAT ROCK

The first Euro-American settlers in Flat Rock were Michael Vreeland and his five grown sons between 1811 and 1820. Michael had been captured by British Rangers during the Revolutionary War and released after American independence.

The family purchased 800 acres (3.2 km2). The town was called the Village of Vreeland until 1838 when the Vreeland family sold off the majority of the land and relinquished control of the area. The Vreeland families built the first grain and lumber mill, having brought the grinding stones from New York.

Descendants of Michael Vreeland still live in the town and attend Flat Rock public schools, being the seventh generation to reside in the town their family founded.

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Email:
flatrock.dda@gmail.com
Phone:
(734) 782-2455

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