Qualifying Upper Peninsula businesses with financial hardship from COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for Michigan’s new Afflicted Business Relief grant program. A total of $409 million is available from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The nine eligible business categories include entertainment venues, recreational facilities and public places of amusement, barbers and cosmetologists, exercise facilities, food establishments, nursery dealers and growers, athletic trainers, body art facilities, and hotels and bed and breakfast establishments.

Small “brick and mortar” businesses in the state that had a financial decline greater than 5% or closed due to COVID are encouraged to apply.

The application must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern time March 31. Applications are accepted online only. For more information, go to https://www.michigan.gov/abr.