Applications for the Health Protection Grant Program will close at 5pm on Friday, December 22, 2023.

About this program

With federal funding made available through the City of Kalamazoo, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region is partnering with the City to provide reimbursement in the form of immediate grant support to for-profit businesses hardest hit by COVID-19 for costs related to health and human safety.

"Small businesses are shouldering a huge financial burden due to the pandemic, and many don't have the resources to hold on long-term," said UWBCKR President & CEO Chris Sargent.

Beginning Dec. 7, 2020, eligible businesses may apply for a Kalamazoo Small Business Health Protection Grant, a reimbursement of up to $2,500 for expenses including PPE (personal protective equipment) or other costs incurred in pursuit of the general preservation of health and human safety. Expenses must be dated from April 1, 2020 until present.

Downtown Kalamazoo Mall

Reimbursement Use and Business Eligibility Requirements

Examples of eligible costs include, but are not limited to:

  • Cost of routine environmental cleaning;
  • Cost of education and training materials to employees;
  • The purchase of signage and materials promoting health and human safety, including, but not limited to PPE (personal protective equipment);
  • Expenses incurred as a result of conducting daily in-person or virtual health checks (e.g., symptom and/or temperature screening) before employees and customers enter the facility;
  • The protection of employees through modification of processes, procedures, and workspace(s);
  • The cost of modifying ventilation systems;
  • Other commodities and services that promote health and human safety documented by proof of purchase/receipts.

Business eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • 50 or less full-time employees;
  • Business is located within the city limits of Kalamazoo (detailed map of the city);
  • Total annual revenue not to exceed $2.5 million;
  • Business was in operation on February 15, 2020 and if required, paid income taxes to the state and federal government;
  • Business has been in business a minimum of one year from the date of application;
  • Demonstrates that COVID-19 has had an adverse economic impact that makes this grant request necessary to support ongoing operations,
  • Business has not and will not receive another grant under this program.
  • Registered DUNS number - for further information click here.

Please note that applications for this program are reviewed monthly. There may also be delayed reviews of applications during spring and fall, when our staff capacity is limited by other programs.

For more information or accommodations of any kind, please contact our team at smallbusiness@uwscmi.org.