LANSING, April 23, 2020 —At the beginning of April, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) created the Pure Michigan Business Connect COVID-19 Emergency Access and Retooling Grants program providing grants of $25,000 to $150,000 to companies retooling quickly to manufacture critical health and human service supplies. Two companies in the 29th House District, Oxus America, Inc. in Auburn Hills and Detroit Sewn, Inc. in Pontiac, were recently awarded grants. State Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) thanked the MEDC for their help and applauded the companies for stepping up to help in the fight to support frontline workers.

“Now more than ever, it is important for us to come together and do all we can to support Michigan’s essential workers on the frontlines,” said Carter. “I wanted to take this opportunity to thank our essential workers and health care professionals for all their hard work and sacrifices they are making every day to keep the rest of us safe and healthy. I also want to thank our local businesses for stepping up to fill the gaps and produce these critical medical and personal protective equipment.”

MEDC awarded $50,000 to Detroit Sewn, Inc. to produce face masks and $100,000 Oxus America, Inc. to provide oxygen concentrators for ventilators.