Christian Community Development

THIS EDA LOCAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AWARD TO THE MOSAIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (MOSAIC) WILL HELP THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETE A WORKFORCE TRAINING ASSESSMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING FEASIBILITY STUDY AT THE PROPOSED TRANSFORMATION CENTER. AS A CHRONICALLY-DISTRESSED COMMUNITY BENTON HARBOR HAS LONG SOUGHT TO GROW ITS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STARTUP BASE BY ENCOURAGING NEW HOMEGROWN BUSINESSES TO EXPAND. MOSAIC IS ACTIVE IN BENTON HARBOR?S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EFFORTS, AND WITH THIS EDA-FUNDED STUDY, THE ORGANIZATION HOPES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW BEST TO HELP BENTON HARBOR ENTREPRENEURS SUCCEED AND CREATE NEW JOBS IN THE REGION.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.