In recognition that the central upper peninsula is already home to many organizations which offer some type of support for small businesses, the Hub’s main goal is to expand access to those instead of building new programs. In general, resources and support fall into three categories:

• Technical assistance including 1:1 coaching, educational events, handbooks, guidance documents, webinars, etc.
• Assistance in pursuing outside financial resources (loans, grants, etc.)
• Direct grants via the Hub (must be allocated by February 2026)

Existing programs from partners including the LSCP, Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Accelerate U.P. and the Small Business Development Center (among others) will be available in addition to services from local economic development organizations, as well as state and federal organizations. The Hub will also help connect teams of students from Northern Michigan University’s School of Business to Hub small businesses participants via the NMU Main Street Program, a new program that has been in development for years and that the Hub has finally provided the avenue to bring to fruition. Tribal businesses will also have a dedicated Small Business Navigator and be able to access resources and support from tribal governments and organizations, including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Sault Tribe Thrive.

Hub Direct Grant Program 

More than $400,000 will be available in direct grants to those businesses who work with their County’s Hub Small Business Resource Navigator and that participate in at least one Hub program, event, or service within the 6 months prior to the Award. 

Eligibility

Businesses that participate in the Hub’s programs, events, support and services are eligible to apply for Hub Direct Grants. 

What can Hub Direct Grant funds be used for?

Hub Direct Grand Funds may be used to:

• • purchase equipment, inventory, software, hardware up to $4,999 per unit; 
  • pay for highly specialized consulting services, or other services Hub cannot provide or directly contract for;  
  • pay certification or licensing fees (for certification or licensure received by 9/30/2026); 
  • Pay for any other HUB-approved cost (that is not an Ineligible Cost) related to supporting the business’ operations or growth needs 

Are there things Hub Direct Grant funds cannot be used for? 

Yes, Hub Direct Grant Funds are not permitted to be used to pay for: 

• general overhead: rent, lease payments, or utilities 
• general infrastructure projects 
• building–based construction or renovation 
• eligible costs to be reimbursed or that have been reimbursed by another MSF, MEDC, or federal program 
• projects contrary to efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 

All Direct Grant Award contracts must be signed by February 2026 and all funds awarded must be spent by December of 2026. 
Businesses may only receive one Direct Grant Award from all Small Business Support Hub Program Grant funding sources. 

When and how can I apply for a Hub Direct Grant for my business? 

The Direct Grant application and award process is tentatively scheduled to be rolled out in July. Once the application process is active, eligible small businesses connected with the Hub’s programming, support, events, services and resources will receive notification and application information. 

Click on the GET CONNECTED button to submit your business’ information and your contact information. Upon receipt of your submission, a Hub Small Business Resource Navigator will contact you to get you connected! 

BARAGA COUNTY & TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

Navigator: Robin Chosa
rlchosa@mtu.edu
(906) 370-6480

 

BARAGA COUNTY & TRIBAL COMMUNITY
Office Hours (ET): Monday & Thursday 9 am-12 pm & 1-4 pm
TBD
L’Anse, MI 49946

DELTA COUNTY TRIBAL COMMUNITY
Office Hours (ET): Wednesday 9 am-noon & 1-4 pm
Hannahville Vision Center
N16315 A-1 Rd.
Bark River, MI 49807

MARQUETTE COUNTY TRIBAL COMMUNITY
Office Hours (ET): Tuesday 9 am-noon & 1-4 pm
Sault Tribe Thrive Office
TBD
Harvey, MI

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DICKINSON AND MENOMINEE COUNTIES

Navigator: Jose Laynez
jlaynez@mtu.edu
(906) 370-6563

 

DICKINSON COUNTY
Office Hours (CT): Wednesday 9am-noon & 1-4 pm
MI WORKS
127 S. Stephenson Ave Suite 211
Iron Mountain, 49801

Office Hours (CT): Tuesday 9am-noon &1-4 pm
Bay College Iron Mountain Campus
2801 N. US 2
Iron Mountain, MI 49801

MENOMINEE COUNTY
Office Hours (CT):  Monday 9am-noon & 1-4 pm, Thursday 9am-noon & 1-4 pm
MI WORKS
461 1st St.
Menominee, MI 49858

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ALGER, DELTA, & SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTIES

Navigator: Ilana Minor
iminor@mtu.edu
(906) 370-1576

 

ALGER COUNTY
Hours (ET): Thursday 9 am-noon & 1-4 pm
MI WORKS
413 Maple Street, Suite 6. Room 101
Munising, MI 49862

DELTA COUNTY
Hours (ET): Monday 9 am-noon & 1-4 pm, Tuesday 9 am-noon & 1-4 pm
MI WORKS
2950 College Ave.
Escanaba, MI  49829

SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY
Hours (ET): Wednesdays 9 am-noon & 1-4 pm
MI WORKS
300 Walnut St #264
Manistique, MI 49854

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MARQUETTE COUNTY

Navigator: Liam Goetz
liam@accelerateUP.com
(906) 250-0288

 

MARQUETTE COUNTY
Hours (ET): Tuesday 9 am-noon & 1-4 pm
Accelerate UP
102 West Washington Street, Room 224
Marquette, MI 49855

The Hub will report data quarterly which will appear here after the first report is completed.

Questions related to the Hub may be directed to the Hub’s Program Manager or any of the Hub’ Small Business Resource Navigators.  You can contact the Hub here.

Is my business eligible to use the Hub?

If you consider yourself a small business, then you are likely eligible to utilize the Hub. The MEDC uses a definition of any business with less than 500 employees which covers 99% of businesses in Michigan. The Hub will work with businesses in any industry and at any stage of its development. Program requirements also include that all businesses must have been impacted by COVID-19; the entire seven county region of the Hub falls within a geographic definition of impacted communities.  

How much of the Hub funds are going to administrative support?

Administrative overhead is common in grants and a real cost to any organization implementing a grant-based program. However, due to federal restrictions, no funds from the grant can be used for administrative overhead. Instead, the LSCP will operate the Hub as an essential part of its 2024 – 2026 Strategic Plan focus area for Retaining and Growing Businesses. Over the course of the three years, approximately 14% of the funds will flow directly to five strategic partners in return for expanding access to their programming to support the Hub’s efforts; those funds may end up in operational budgets depending on each organization’s financial processes and strategies. 

When will the Hub be operational?

As of 5/8/2024, we expect the Hub will be fully operational in June of 2024.  A Hub Program Manager and Small Business Resource Navigator for Marquette County have been hired. We are finalizing the last of the contracts for service providers and expect our initial Hub Advisory Council meeting to occur in late May or early June. The three remaining Small Business Resource Navigator positions, our “boots–on-the-ground” in each County, are posted, accepting applications, and interviews are being scheduled. They should be hired this month and be on board starting their training in June. 

How long will the Hub operate?

Funds from the MEDC are committed for three years so the Hub will operate at least through the end of 2026. Part of our mission is to sustain as much of the Hub as possible following expiration of the funds.  

How will the Hub operate with other local economic development and business development organizations?

The Hub is intended to complement, not replace, local economic development organizations. Oftentimes in rural areas, a local EDO is staffed by a single individual who is focused on strategic economic goals and simply doesn’t have enough capacity to support every single business. The Hub will help local EDOs expand their capacity to support local small businesses specifically. Local EDOs will have regular communication with their Hub Navigator and work hand-in-hand to plan local events and customize resources. Several EDO’s and affiliated agencies will supply Small Business Resource Navigators with office space to work out of when in their County. 

Where can I learn more about the overall Small Business Support Hub program?

You can learn more directly from the MEDC at https://www.michiganbusiness.org/services/small-business-support-hub/.