It’s that time of year again when the back and forth of money allocation begins between the House, Senate and governor. To be clear, these are your taxpayer dollars, and we watch them like a hawk.
SBAM has and will continue to be involved in all areas that impact small business: taxes, regulations, health care, education,
childcare, just to name a few. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into ways we advocate and strengthen the Michigan small business climate and create greater outcomes for our workforce:
Small Business Support Hubs
In 2023, the Michigan Legislature approved $75 million of federal funding dedicated to creating and operating programs
to support small businesses disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation
recognized 27 different “Support Hubs” across the state to provide comprehensive programming and direct support to small businesses, including the SBAM Foundation.
Since its creation, the SBAM Foundation has remained committed to providing training, education and support services for
small businesses in Michigan. The SBAM Foundation is the only support hub to operate on a statewide basis and has provided
an unparalleled quality of service to qualified small businesses.
While we support Governor Whitmer’s recommendation of $10 million, we believe an investment of $25 million is more
appropriate.
Center for Social Enterprise Development
In the most recent budget, the legislature allocated $1 million in one-time funding for the creation of a Center of Social Enterprise
Development. The Center is a partnership between SBAM and Incompass Michigan and is designed to leverage the extensive
experience of both organizations to meet the pressing need for support among social enterprises.
Social enterprises are businesses that serve a social or environmental goal while maintaining sustainable business practices.
These businesses are able to generate revenue while providing durable, innovative solutions to social issues through the power
of entrepreneurship. Additional funding for this program will expand the Center’s reach and services to offer these businesses.
Pure Michigan
A robust tourism sector is vital to the continued prosperity of many of Michigan’s small businesses and communities. The
iconic “Pure Michigan” campaign has successfully fueled increased tourism from other states by showcasing our state’s
natural beauty. SBAM supports continued funding for this proven tool to help sustain our tourism industry and the businesses that rely on tourism to keep their doors open. We support $40 million in totality for this program utilizing the general fund, as well as private/local and federal funding to get the robust number it needs to be effective.
Michigan Reconnect
Michigan Reconnect provides scholarships to students aged 25 and older (temporarily expanded to include 21 and older) to
complete an associate degree or skills-based certificate. This program is a vital tool to improve the skilled workforce and should
be responsibly expanded. Funding for this program must include accountability measures to ensure that funding follows performance. The recommended support amounts to $52 million.
Going PRO
Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund provides competitive awards to employers for training, developing and retaining current
and newly hired employees. Since the program’s inception in 2014, tens of thousands of employees have received vital and
relevant training that has not only helped the development of their careers, but has also been a vital resource for participating
small businesses. SBAM supports the amount of $54,740,000 to ensure this program increases its capacity and “upskills” more
of Michigan’s workforce.
Michigan Education Guarantee
Employers already report that talent shortages are among the most severe problems they face, yet these obstacles will only
grow in the future given the current state of Michigan’s public education. Test scores continue to lag behind other states,
achievement gaps are widening, and too many graduates are unprepared for the demands of the workforce life beyond high
school.
Launch Michigan has developed a Michigan Education Guarantee playbook and has worked with a diverse group of stakeholders
to chart a path for student success. Funding the Michigan Education Guarantee will provide Launch with the capacity to define future-ready skills and competencies, identify necessary public changes to statute, and define measures and metrics that
will be used to ensure success. The recommended investment of $1 million will support these efforts.
Childcare Solutions
Childcare remains one of the greatest obstacles for both employers and employees in the workforce, as lack of affordable
options have forced many to either pay exorbitant rates for care or to stay on the sidelines altogether. SBAM supports reasonable
expansion of the Tri-Share program, which makes childcare costs more manageable by splitting the bill three ways, between employer, employee and the State of Michigan.
Additionally, providing increased financial support for afterschool programs leads to greater relief for families and provides
non-classroom extracurricular learning opportunities. We will continue to explore financial options that make childcare more
affordable and reliable for Michigan’s families.
Maintain Support for Community-Based Childcare Providers
Previous budget proposals have sought to inhibit communitybased providers by restricting funding and imposing unreasonable
compensation mandates. These proposals will not only harm providers but will further exacerbate childcare shortages as they
continue to represent a critical issue for Michigan’s families. Policymakers should continue to support private providers through
the budget.
By Kelli Saunders; originally published in SBAM’s July/Augu 2025 issue of FOCUS magazine
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