These 17 small businesses won grants to grow their companies in Northwest Michigan

What’s happening: A group of 17 small businesses scattered throughout Northwest Michigan have been awarded a total of $75,000 in small business grants, the latest cohort of grantees to benefit from a partnership forged between the Northwest Michigan small businesses champions at 20Fathoms and Venture North. Winning businesses were each awarded approximately $4,500 in grants.

Heads up, entrepreneurs: The application window for the next round of grants is open from May 16 through May 25. An average of $4,500 will be awarded in a grant round “designed for innovative startups and small businesses headquartered in Northwest Michigan,” per the 20Fathoms website.

Applications and contest rules are available online.

What it is: Regional small business incubators 20Fathoms and Venture North have partnered on the grant program, which awards grants for small businesses to purchase assets leading to business growth. All businesses are invited to apply, but those “directly contributing to the region’s economic growth and innovation” are especially encouraged to take part.

Winners circle: Those winning grants in this latest round include Back to Free Farms in Mancelona; Bee Up North in Interlochen; The Bird Next & The Bird House in Cadillac; Bonnieview Farms in Alanson; Carter’s Compost in Traverse City; Cornerstone Coffee in McBain; From Head to Toe in Kalkaska; Lake & Trail Resale in Lake City; Lively NeighborFood Market in Maple City; Northern Elderberry in Traverse City; The Piping Plover in Manistee; Red Truck Orchards in Northport; Remedies in Rhythm in Alanson; Rock Bottom Candle Company in Suttons Bay; Shrimply the Best Boil in Charlevoix; Valor Skincare in Williamsburg; and Virginia’s Sweetgrass in Pellston.

What it can do: “The grant will allow us to standardize the product photography across our website in order to build that connection with our visiting customers,” says Lauren Carlson, owner of The Piping Plover in Manistee. “It will fund photo equipment and a photo space including a backdrop, mannequins, display fixtures, lighting, and a computer for photo editing.”

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