Osceola Awards technology grants to support local small businesses

Dozens of small enterprises across the Mid-Michigan region are set to receive a timely infusion of funding, specifically earmarked to help them upgrade and modernize their essential operational tools. 

The Middle Michigan Development Corporation (MMDC) recently announced that forty-two small businesses situated within Clare, Isabella, and Osceola counties were chosen to receive Technology Improvement Grants. 

This program is explicitly designed to assist local businesses in updating crucial digital systems, enhancing necessary equipment, and bolstering overall security.

These grants are directed toward businesses with fewer than 50 employees and support the integration of new or improved technology into their daily workflows, covering items like point-of-sale (POS) systems, computer hardware, and essential cybersecurity upgrades. 

The initiative is financially backed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Trusted Connector Grant, which the MMDC secured to broaden its support for rural businesses across the area.

Kati Mora, President and CEO of the MMDC, emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating, “Our small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and technology is no longer optional, it’s essential. 

Kristopher Cross, the owner of Homemade & More, explained that the funding is critical for replacing outdated and unreliable equipment. 

"I do everything kind of the old-fashioned way, and my credit card system is outdated and doesn’t work right anymore,” Cross noted.