LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 21, 2025) — This week, Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) introduced Senate Bill 92 to establish a road construction business loss reimbursement program. While infrastructure enhancements benefit communities and businesses in the long run, the bill seeks to provide financial relief to small businesses that experience temporary disruptions due to prolonged construction projects.
“Local businesses have told us loud and clear — this bill could mean the difference between remaining open or closing their doors. I reintroduced this bill to ensure they get the support they need to continue serving our communities,” said Sen. Anthony, Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Senate Bill 92 ensures that we are protecting the local retail stores, restaurants, auto repair shops, and more while critical construction work is being done.”
Under the program, eligible businesses could apply for grants of up to $15,000 per year to offset revenue lost during construction projects. To ensure aid goes to those most impacted, applicants would need to demonstrate a significant revenue decline based on a comparison to their average revenue from the prior three tax years. This targeted approach allows the program to reach the businesses facing the greatest financial strain.
Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the length of the construction project and the severity of traffic disruption during construction among other relevant considerations. This ensures that funding is directed to businesses experiencing the most substantial impact.
A similar bill was introduced in 2022, when Sen. Anthony was a member of the Michigan House, that was spurred by a construction project on the south side of Lansing that caused significant issues for area businesses. Since then, folks across the state, including those in the Kalamazoo area, have been experiencing construction-related challenges. These prolonged projects impact customer access and revenue. As a cosponsor of this bill, Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), Majority Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is continuing to work alongside Sen. Anthony to provide crucial support to businesses while making much-needed improvements to roads and infrastructure.
“When the next construction project pops up on their street, small business owners shouldn’t have to worry about a hit to their profits,” said Sen. McCann. “With this legislation, we can show that we can do both — keep our streets and sidewalks safe and strong while also equipping our small business community with the resources needed to stay afloat during times of temporary disruption.”
Senate Bill 92, which reflects Senate Democrats’ broader commitment to empowering Michigan’s business owners and promoting robust local economies, now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.