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NOVI, Mich. (Nov. 19, 2020) – As our nation continues to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, ITC Michigan is committing funding to support economic development organizations and initiatives that support the small business community throughout Michigan. The relief effort is part of ITC’s two-phase funding commitment to support relief agencies throughout its seven-state footprint.

“ITC Michigan has always taken an active role in the communities we serve,” said Simon Whitelocke, president of ITC Michigan. “During this extraordinary time, there are tremendous humanitarian and economic needs across our home state. We felt it was our company’s responsibility to step up and support organizations that are making a positive impact on the small business community that is so vital to our economy.”

A recent survey conducted by the Small Business Association of Michigan reports that as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, small businesses continue to suffer, with many experiencing or anticipating significant sales losses.¹ ITC will provide funding to support the work of ADVANCING MACOMB, ANN ARBOR/LIVINGSTON SPARK, MAIN STREET OAKLAND COUNTY, the MARSHALL AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE, MONROE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, and the TRAVERSE CONNECT/VENTURE NORTH REGIONAL RESILIENCY FUND, that provide a lifeline to many small businesses throughout Michigan. ITC also will support the creation of new businesses and jobs through incubator programs including CONQUER ACCELERATOR (MSU FOUNDATION) and TECHTOWN DETROIT (WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY). Previous relief funds were provided by ITC earlier this year to food charities, and agencies that provide mental health and substance abuse services.

Through its Charitable Giving Program, ITC awards grants to qualified nonprofit organizations that deliver charitable services in the communities it serves. Grants support programs and projects that reflect ITC’s focus on education, environmental stewardship, social services, health and wellness, and arts and culture.  ITC has streamlined the process for its 2020 grant cycles to focus on  the areas of giving announced today.  For more information, please see HTTPS://WWW.ITC-HOLDINGS.COM/COMMUNITY-APPROACH/PHILANTHROPY.

¹ NEW SURVEY: AS COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONTINUES, DECLINING SALES IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING MICHIGAN’S SMALL BUSINESSES

About ITC Michigan
ITC Holdings Corp., the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company based in Novi, Michigan, owns and operates two subsidiaries in the state: ITCTransmission and METC (collectively, ITC Michigan). The two systems comprise approximately 8,700 circuit miles of transmission line serving most of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. For further information visit WWW.ITC-HOLDINGS.COM. ITC is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For further information visit WWW.FORTISINC.COM.

Media Contact:  Kelly Fulford, 248-496-1170, KFULFORD@ITCTRANSCO.COM