OTSEGO COUNTY — Seventy small businesses across Otsego County have been awarded emergency mini-grants totaling $50,000 to support recovery from the March 2025 ice storm.
According to a June 19 news release from the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce, the one-time grants, ranging from $500 to $1,500, are aimed at helping those hit hardest by storm-related disruptions.
the storm prompted a State of Emergency declaration from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and caused widespread financial losses for local businesses.
The funds may be used to cover costs such as lost inventory, facility repairs, equipment replacement, wage recovery and other urgent needs stemming from the storm’s impact.
The program was made possible through a partnership between the Otsego County Economic Alliance and the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce, with funding provided by the Disaster Response Fund of the Otsego Community Foundation.
To qualify, businesses had to be independently owned, located within Otsego County, employ nine or fewer people, and show financial hardship caused directly by the storm. More than 100 applications were submitted in the first few weeks of the program, reflecting the extent of the storm’s toll on the local economy.
A selection committee made up of local economic development experts and business leaders from the Chamber and the Economic Alliance reviewed each application.
Grant recipients include businesses across a wide range of sectors, including retail, hospitality, food service, skilled trades, wellness and personal care. Many are longtime fixtures in the community that faced unexpected costs and service interruptions.
For more information on recovery resources or business development support, visit the Otsego County Economic Alliance at gaylord-otsego.com or the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce at gaylordchamber.com.