ARPA Mobility Fund - Real-World Deployment Grants

ARPA Mobility Fund - Real-World Deployment Grants is sponsored by State of Michigan, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). These grants apply to public-space projects with municipalities and/or state agencies focused on mobility.

These MMFP grants will be split between two unique pillars: test site grants (ranging $50,000 - $200,000 per grant) and real-world deployment grants (ranging $100,000 - $500,000 per grant).

Test site grants can be deployed to mobility projects partnering with one of nine pre-approved closed environment test sites in the state and real-world deployment grants are defined as being any project in a public space and partnering with municipalities and/or state agencies. Based on this design there will be an estimate of 15 – 20 total beneficiaries.

## How Funds Will Be Awarded Grants deployed via MMFP are awarded after a standardized application, review, and selection process.

This process includes standard application, internal review to ensure projects meet minimum qualifications, external reviews by a minimum of 10 industry experts including scoring in 6 categories and open-ended feedback, and finally, a final selection committee comprised of members of various Michigan State Agencies (MEDC, LEO, MDOT, etc.).

The six categories applications will be scored on are: * Meet the Needs of Michigan Residents * Ability to Grow in Michigan * Alignment with the Michigan Mobility Strategy (MI Future Mobility Plan) * Project Team and Partners * Technology & Business Model * Ability to Deploy (feasibility of project, timeline, budget, etc.) * Tuesday, February 11th 2025 — Application Opens (available for 30 days) * Thursday, March 13th 2025 — Application Closes * Friday, March 14th 2025 — Application Review Process Begins * **Monday, April 14th 2025**~~Monday, March 31st 2025~~ — Selections and Notifications Made * Update: Due to the number of applications submitted, selections and notifications will be delayed.

In order to comply with federal funding requirements, OFME is requiring that any grant funds awarded through this program be spent by beneficiaries (small businesses or startups) by no later than September 30, 2026. We ask that applicants commit to ensuring the project timeline aligns with this deadline. ## Frequently Asked Questions Learn more from our Frequently Asked Questions documentfor this program.

## Upcoming Information Sessions We are unable to take calls with individual companies about this grant program. In lieu of one-on-one calls, information sessions will be hosted daily until the grant application closes.

* **Monday, March 3** from 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm * **Tuesday, March 4** from 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm * **Wednesday, March 5** from 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm * **Thursday, March 6** from 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm * **Friday, March 7** from 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm * **Monday, March 10** from 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm * **Tuesday, March 11** from 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm * **Wednesday, March 12** from 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm * **Thursday, March 13** from 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting now * Meeting ID - 287 443 580 816 Dial in by phone: +1 248-340-3787,,947258923# United States, Pontiac * Phone conference ID - 947 258 923# ## Eligible Small Businesses and Qualified Class Defined **“Eligible Small Business”** means a business concern or other organization that: has no more than 500 employees **or**, if applicable, the size standard in number of employees established by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration for the industry in which the business concern or organization operates, **and** is a small business concern as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act at 15 U.S.C.

§ 632(a)(1): “independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation. ” **and**, in either case, has been Disproportionately Impacted by COVID-19.

The business is located or operating in one of the following geographic areas: * 2020 CDFI Investment Tract * 2020 Qualified Census Tract * Rural Michigan counties, as defined by the Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity (fka the Michigan Office of Rural Development) in 2023 (Defined on page 3) (list here) * A qualified Historically Underutilized Business Zone (aka HUBZone), as defined by the Small Business Administration * A Michigan county where _at least_ 40% of households fall below the ALICE Threshold * **IMPORTANT NOTE:** If a company is located in (business address) or operating in (pilot location) ANY one of the geographic locations listed above they automatically are considered to be Disproportionately Impacted by COVID-19 and qualify for this grant opportunity.

**Applicants will not be required to further justify specific individual impact(s) on company due to COVID-19**, only status as a small business and geographic qualifier. (questions: reach out to robarj@michigan.

org) ## Qualified Projects & Expenses * No more than 7% for qualified travel expenses * No capital expenditures * Construction is defined as anything over $2,000 Test site grants will be deployed to mobility and transportation innovation projects partnering with one of nine pre-approved closed test sites in the state and real-world deployment grants are defined as being any project in a public space and partnering with municipalities and/or state agencies.

These projects will have ties to challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic**including but not limited to**: * The intersection of healthcare access and transportation * Food deserts in both urban and rural areas * First and last mile transportation * Gaps in traditional transportation services such as transit * Access to other essential services * Freight, logistics and supply chain challenges ## Test Site Deployments and Real World Deployments Defined * Grants ranging from $50,000 - $200,000 per project * Test site grants may partner with pre-approved closed environment test sites in Michigan, including: * Advanced Power Systems (APS) Labs * American Center for Mobility (ACM) * Detroit Smart Parking Lab (DSPL) * Gerald R.

Ford Airport's Ford Launchpad for Innovation Technology and Entrepreneurship (FLITE) * Great Lakes Research Center * Kettering Mobility Research Center * The Keweenaw Research Center * Michigan Unmanned Aerial Systems Consortium If you are interested in testing at a location not represented on this pre-approved list, please reach out to Janine Robar (robarj@michigan. org) to get approval on other testing facilities/locations.

#### Real-World Deployment Grants * Grants ranging from $100,000 - $500,000 per project * Real-world deployment grants apply to public-space projects with municipalities and/or state agencies. Grant recipients (beneficiaries) will be required to report on a quarterly basis both financial obligations and expenses as well as key performance indicators.

These key performance indicators may include: * Total Number of businesses served * Number of businesses served by program activities * Number of businesses served for the first time by network services/referrals * Number of Minority-Owned Businesses served * Loans, venture, angel or other financial investments obtained (“facilitated industry investment”) * Company growth including but not limited to increased revenue / facilitated revenue * And other factors as determined by the OFME In order to comply with federal funding requirements, OFME is requiring that any grant funds awarded through this program be spent by beneficiaries (small businesses or startups) by no later than **September 30, 2026**.

We ask that applicants commit to ensuring the project timeline aligns with this deadline. **Authorization:**I confirm that I am authorized by my company to execute this application and agreement and agree that the company and its representatives will adhere to all of the terms and conditions set forth in this application and agreement.

These include, but are not limited to, providing the MEDC with all results from approved activities for documentation and success tracking purposes. I certify on behalf of the company that all of the documents submitted, and information contained in this application and accompanying documents are true and accurate.

**FOIA:** All information submitted in connection with or included in any Michigan Mobillity Funding Platform application, may be subject to disclosure under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.

**Indemnification:** Company hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless MEDC, OFME, NextEnergy, and their respective affiliates, officers, directors, executive committee, managers, members, employees, contractors, subcontractors and agents --the “Indemnified Parties”-- from any and all claims, demands, suits, causes of action, damages, costs, obligations, losses, settlements and judgments, including without limitation attorney’s fees and costs --a “Claim”-- in whole or part arising out of or in any way connected with the Pilot Project (including infringement Claims).

**Compliance with Law:** Company represents and warrants that Company will comply with all federal, state, and local laws requiring any licenses, business permits, and certificates required to carry out the Project and Company will obtain and maintain those permits, certificates and/or licenses through the Term.

Company represents and warrants that that Company and Company's employees and contract personnel shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and executive orders. Company represents that it is knowledgeable about, will keep up to date with, and will ensure that Company and Company’s employees and contract employees comply with, all applicable executive orders issued by the Governor of the State of Michigan.

**Insurance:** Applicants should be prepared to carry up to $5M general liability insurance during the deployment. If you have questions, please contact: