By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
Congratulations are in order for a pair of businesses in downtown Plainwell.
Bushel & A Peck and Passiflora were among the small businesses selected to participate in the Optimize Main Street program.
Sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the program is designed to support eligible businesses by providing technology-based technical assistance and grant funding.
“Through the increased technology expertise and use of digital tools, participating businesses will aim to refine efficiency in business operations, improve connectivity to customers, and/or increase sales,” said a press release from the MEDC.
The Optimize Main Street program is implemented through a combination of one-on-one business coaching, a customized learning module and a $2,500 technology grant to support project implementation.
The Optimize Main Street program is open to a select number of Michigan communities. Eligible communities include Michigan Main Street programs and Redevelopment Ready Communities designated as Essentials or Certified with a population of under 15,000.
“The Michigan Economic Development Corporation finds value in partnering with these select communities and organizations because these entities have demonstrated existing local capacity to support new and existing small businesses,” said the release from the MEDC. “Additionally, these entities have a proven track record of providing technical assistance, training and education to place-based businesses within their respective main street-type districts.”
Goals of the Optimize Main Street program include:
- Supporting business resiliency and sustainability by increasing awareness and skills on technology and digital tools through blended learning, including training, 1-on-1 coaching, and self-paced learning modules;
- Providing funding to participating small businesses to support the implementation of a technology-related project that will lead to improved business operations, diversify sales channels, and/or attract new customers;
- Supporting Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing a small business retention and growth tool that eligible organizations can leverage to provide value to their small business customers.
Use of the $2,500 in grant funding is limited to what the MEDC deems to be eligible expenses. Those expenses include: - Hardware: computer, laptop, tablet, modem, WiFi equipment, printer, point of sale system, camera, lightbox or similar equipment to advance technology operations for the business;
- Software: website development including domain name; web hosting and/or e-commerce integration; web platform subscriptions including QuickBooks; point of sale, printing, graphic design, content management, email marketing or similar platforms;
- Contract Services from a third party: grantee may work with a small business or third-party contractor that has expertise to help grantee meet technology goals, ex. mobile optimization, social media content calendar creation, SEO, email marketing, etc.
Grant funds may not be used for advertising expenses, lead generation (such as online advertisements, paper advertisements, and/or purchasing customer lists) or other expenses deemed unacceptable to the MEDC. Funds may not be used for prior expenses incurred.