Corine Rose, owner of Corine's Cakes & Catering, said the grant will help by providing funding to add a drive-through window and purchasing necessary equipment like an upgraded freezer for her business.

"Somehow we made it through COVID, and then to receive this grant, it means so much," said Rose, who was also one of five finalists for the Hub's Lakeshore Innovator of the Year award. "When they told me I was receiving one of the grants, I said, 'Me? That is so cool.'"

Tierra Local founder Kody Gerkin said the grant will provide the necessary seed capital to move his idea forward.

"It's a long-time dream of mine to start a small business, so just having the seed funding takes it from zero to 60," Gerkin said. "I don't know that I ever would have been able to do it otherwise. It's enough money to outfit the business with the basic software that I need and get some basic marketing materials."

The Hub will begin accepting applications for the second round of funding on September 3. For more information about the Direct Grant Program, visit the Muskegon Innovation Hub's website.