Flint & Genesee Small Business Hub awards grants to 20 local businesses

FLINT, Mich. — Twenty small businesses in Genesee County have been awarded grants through the Flint & Genesee Small Business Hub Grant Program.

Part of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, the initiative aims support business growth at all stages.

“Financial barriers often limit businesses from reaching their full potential,” said Karena Hamlet, director of Business Services at the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance. “This direct support will help them take that next critical step—especially for startups.”

The program provided grants in three categories:

• Startups ($5,000): Businesses operating for less than a year.
• Micro-businesses ($10,000): Businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees.
• Small businesses ($15,000): Businesses with 10 or more full-time employees.

Among the recipients is Toi Edwards, owner of Yoga with Toi LaNique, who plans to use her grant to purchase software and equipment for virtual prenatal yoga classes. “This funding will allow me to reach more moms in the community by providing safe, at-home prenatal yoga,” said Edwards.

Grant Recipients:

Startups ($5,000):

• Lauren Jones – Elevated Solez
• Bryce Keels – Bilingual Buddies
• Chynel Williams-Bergeron – BILY LLC
• Dustin Ondovcsik – Federal Facility Solutions, LLC
• Adrienna Earnest – Luxe Layers Cakery LLC

Micro-businesses ($10,000):

• Stephanie Fenner – Fenner’s Floral and Design Co.
• Luther Brown – John L Financial Services
• Craig Kelley – Prestige Promotions, LLC
• Kara Dahlberg – 81Ohm Massage & Co.
• Milton Straham – Lil Milton & Company
• Kurt Neiswender – Urban Colab Architecture, L.3.C.
• La’Asia Johnson – Elle Jae Essentials
• Taylor McClain – TC McClain Enterprises
• Jonathan Blanchard – STEMLETICS LLC
• Melanie Smith – Helping Hands Computer Support, LLC

Small Businesses ($15,000):

• Jerome Adams – Adams Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, LLC
• Lisa Blondell – Blondie’s Food & Spirits
• Jody Blackburn – The Furlough Dog Daycare and Pet Resort, LLC

This grant program builds upon the work of the Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub, which was one of 27 established earlier this year through the state’s Small Business Support Hub program. 

Both the Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub and its grant program are supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury and administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. 

To learn more about the Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub, visit DevelopFlintandGenesee.org/Small-Business-Hub.