20Fathoms and Venture North have announced $75,000 in grants to small businesses in northern Michigan. The 17 grants, each worth approximately $4,500, were decided based on each company’s “strategic need for funds, as well as the expected impact on the local economy.” The announcement marks the second round of grants through this particular program, which launched last year.

According to a 20Fathoms press release, grantees were also “with a particular focus on supporting those founded by individuals who are traditionally underrepresented in entrepreneurship.” More than 70 percent of the recipients, for instance, are women-owned businesses, and two are owned by members of the local indigenous community.

The northern Michigan businesses to receive grants through the program are as follows:

·       Back to Free Farms (Mancelona)

·       Bee Up North (Interlochen)

·       The Bird Next & The Bird House (Cadillac)

·       Bonnieview Farms (Alanson)

·       Carter’s Compost (Traverse City)

·       Cornerstone Coffee (McBain)

·       From Head to Toe (Kalkaska)

·       Lake & Trail Resale (Lake City)

·       Lively NeighborFood Market (Maple City)

·       Northern Elderberry (Traverse City)

·       The Piping Plover (Manistee)

·       Red Truck Orchards (Northport)

·       Remedies in Rhythm (Alanson)

·       Rock Bottom Candle Company (Suttons Bay)

·       Shrimply the Best Boil (Charlevoix)

·       Valor Skincare (Williamsburg)

·       Virginia’s Sweetgrass, LLC (Pellston)

Beyond 20Fathoms and Venture North, this particular grant program is the product of a regional collaboration that also includes the Michigan Small Business Development Center, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, and Traverse Connect, with additional support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The application window for the next round of grants is currently open, with a deadline of May 25. The program “provides direct financial support averaging $4,500 for specific purchases of assets that will have a meaningful impact on business growth,” the press release notes, including “essential items, software, or products that contribute to immediate business expansion, operational scaling, or technology upgrades.” Not eligible for grants are costs like building renovations or repairs, or more general business expenses like marketing.

The grant application is currently live on the 20Fathoms website.