Business Development Fund

Step 1.Prepare Your Proposal

Before submitting an application, gather all of the documentation that you will need. We will ask about your business, its history, and its ownership. You will also need to provide banking and financial information and itemized costs and sources of funds for your project or proposal. You'll be asked to show that: 

• Your business is located in the city of Kalamazoo (utility bill, articles of incorporation, bank statement, etc.)
• Your business has 10 or fewer employees (list of positions, org chart, etc.)
• You've been in business for at least one year and your business is properly registered (articles of incorporation, business license, DBA, etc.)
• Your business has annual revenue of less than $1 million (bank or financial statements, etc.)

We'll also ask for a few specific documents with your application:

• A copy of your driver's license or official government ID
• An itemized budget for your project or grant (with additional funding sources if the total exceeds the BDF grant amount)
• A w-9 form for your business
• An EFT form for direct deposit

Be prepared to include these documents in a format that can be uploaded (.pdf, .doc, .jpg, .png) 

Step 2.Submit an Application

Apply online when the application period opens (we'll post the link here when it does). Make sure you provide all requested information, or your application may be delayed.  

Step 3.Follow Up From City Staff

A member of our team will review your application and follow up with you regarding the next steps. If any information is missing, they ask you to provide it before proceeding. They will also help make arrangements for you to pay the 1% application fee. Generally it takes 8-10 weeks to fully process Business Development Fund applications.

Step 1.Prepare Your Proposal

Before submitting an application, gather all of the documentation that you will need. We will ask about your business, its history, and its ownership. You will also need to provide banking and financial information and itemized costs and sources of funds for your project or proposal. You'll be asked to show that: 

• Your business is located in the city of Kalamazoo (utility bill, articles of incorporation, bank statement, etc.)
• You business has 10 or fewer employees (list of positions, org chart, etc.)
• You've been in business for at least one year and your business is properly registered (articles of incorporation, business license, DBA, etc.)
• Your business has annual revenue of less than $1 million (bank or financial statements, etc.)

Include documents showing that you meet the requirements with your application. We also ask for a few specific documents:

• A copy of your driver's license or official government ID
• An itemized budget for your project or grant (with additional funding sources if the total exceeds the BDF grant amount)
• A w-9 form for your business
• An EFT form for direct deposit

Step 2.Submit an Application

Print and complete the web application below. Make sure you provide all requested information in the checklist, or your application may be delayed. 

Business Development Fund Grant Application(PDF, 370KB)
Business Development Fund Grant Checklist(PDF, 155KB)

Return the completed application by mail to:

City of Kalamazoo
Community Planning & Economic Development
245 N Rose Street Suite 100
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

You can include payment of the 1% fee with your application if paying by check. Please do not send cash.

Step 3.Follow Up From City Staff

A member of our team will review your application and follow up with you regarding the next steps. If any information is missing, they ask you to provide it before proceeding. They will also help make arrangements for you to pay the 1% application fee if needed. Generally it takes 8-10 weeks to fully process Business Development Fund applications.

Step 1.Prepare Your Proposal

Before submitting an application, gather all of the documentation that you will need. We will ask about your business, its history, and its ownership. You will also need to provide banking and financial information and itemized costs and sources of funds for your project or proposal. You'll be asked to show that: 

• Your business is located in the city of Kalamazoo (utility bill, articles of incorporation, bank statement, etc.)
• You business has 10 or fewer employees (list of positions, org chart, etc.)
• You've been in business for at least one year and your business is properly registered (articles of incorporation, business license, DBA, etc.)
• Your business has annual revenue of less than $1 million (bank or financial statements, etc.)

Include documents showing that you meet the requirements with your application. We also ask for a few specific documents:

• A copy of your driver's license or official government ID
• An itemized budget for your project or grant (with additional funding sources if the total exceeds the BDF grant amount)
• A w-9 form for your business
• An EFT form for direct deposit

Step 2.Submit an Application

Print and complete the web application below. Make sure you provide all requested information in the checklist, or your application may be delayed. 

Business Development Fund Grant Application(PDF, 370KB)
Business Development Fund Grant Checklist(PDF, 155KB)

Return the completed application in person during business hours to:

City of Kalamazoo
Community Planning & Economic Development
245 N Rose Street Suite 100
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

You can also return applications to the drop box located behind City Hall on St. Johns Place near Lovell Street. You can include payment of the 1% fee with your application if paying by check. Please do not include cash.

Step 3.Follow Up From City Staff

A member of our team will review your application and follow up with you regarding the next steps. If any information is missing, they ask you to provide it before proceeding. They will also help make arrangements for you to pay the 1% application fee if needed.