Supporting Guardsmen Who are Supporting the Community

Supporting Guardsmen Who are Supporting the Community

by | Apr 9, 2020 | Uncategorized

Supporting guardsmen who are supporting the community

Contact: 1SG Ron Raflik 517-481-7600

As Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen come together from across the state to fight the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan, many of them need someplace to stay. They can keep themselves and their families safe by taking extra steps and practicing social distancing.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the Michigan National Guard on March 18th. Since then, Guardsmen from across the state have been serving their neighbors and communities during these challenging times.

“I think in times of dire need the ability to give support, and the ability to provide the humanitarian efforts is really what the National Guard is designed for,” said Sgt. Quintin Shine. “That’s why people look for us in times of need, they look toward us to be that ‘safety net’ for them and to continue helping them with their daily lives. One of the reasons why I joined the National Guard is to help and serve my community as well as my country.”

Shine is the supply non-commissioned officer in charge for the 272nd Regional Support Group based out of Jackson, Michigan. He, along with many others from his unit, was called up to provide support for the other guardsmen who were activated. They are operating Joint Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration (JRSOI) sites, which serve as a base of operation for those supporting the COVID-19 response. In addition, they are also provided daily medical checkups.

“The biggest challenge is first to protect the force, protect the mission, and protect our Soldiers. We are thinking deliberately as we set up operations,” said Maj. Ryan Davis, the operations officer for the 272nd RSG.

When entering the hotel, guard members must first wash their hands. As soon as they come through the doors, they are screened by the medics to ensure they have not developed any symptoms. Markings on the floor assist in maintaining social distancing.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for our staff to be able to provide support for the State of Michigan, and help our communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This lines up directly with what our unit does, and our ability to stand up in any situation,” said Davis.

What makes things different in this particular situation is that the JRSOI has set up base in hotels. It also makes it easier for the guardsmen to practice social distancing as well as precautionary hygiene that they must now practice, rather than placing large groups in field tents. While the hotel is operating with only essential workers, the JRSOI is coordinating with the hotel to provide laundry service twice a week along with other general maintenance.

“The main reason for us to stay at the hotel is to make sure that safety is the biggest concern, especially with everyone going out into the community. The last thing we need is for one of our guard members to risk passing it along to their family members,” said Shine.

For the local Soldiers who live alone, self-monitoring has been implemented. These additional measures are imperative to ensure the safety of the guardsmen and the communities they serve.

“It’s great that we’re taking care of our Soldiers and supporting the community,” said Maj. Michael Garrett, 272nd RSG medical officer.

Garrett is overseeing the medics working in the JRSOI sites. He, along with other physicians in the Michigan National Guard have been on board since the governor first activated the National Guard and they are in constant communication with each other discussing the virus and ways to help mitigate risk.

“I think we have a lot of good plans in place for helping to flatten the curve of the spread of COVID-19 in the state of Michigan,” said Garrett. “I’m very confident in our ability to support the governor, and the citizens of Michigan.”

Michigan, along with the rest of the country, is trying to prevent further spread of COVID-19. The Michigan National Guard is out there helping the community while maintaining safe guidelines themselves. Right now, there are three of these sites in Michigan. If the need arises the guard is ready to provide additional sites for support. (Michigan Army National Guard story by Staff Sgt. Tegan Kucera/Released)

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Governor Signs Executive Order Ensuring Continued Flow of Supplies

Governor Signs Executive Order Ensuring Continued Flow of Supplies

by | Apr 8, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

For Immediate Release

April 8, 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Ensuring Continued Flow of Emergency Medical, Sanitary Supplies Into Michigan

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-40, which waives International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA) credentialing requirements and ensures emergency medical supplies, sanitary supplies and key personnel can continue to flow into Michigan during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Right now, it’s more important than ever to ensure there are no disruptions in the flow of critical equipment and health care personnel coming into our state to help treat patients and reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Governor Whitmer said. “This Executive Order will help ensure urgently needed resources are delivered as efficiently as possible during this crisis.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a steep and immediate demand for certain essential supplies, equipment and personnel, and has made it harder for state agencies and departments to conduct business as usual — including credentialing motor carriers.

Motor carriers delivering the following products will not face fines or penalties if their license or decals lapse:

  • Medical supplies or equipment related to the testing, diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19
  • Sanitary supplies including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants
  • Food
  • Equipment, supplies or people needed to establish or manage temporary housing, quarantine or isolation facilities
  • People designated by federal, state or local authorities for medical, isolation or quarantine purposes.
  • People necessary to provide other medical or emergency services

This Executive Order is effective immediately and continues through May 5, 2020.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

To view executive order 2020-40, click the link below:

MDOT has an Activity for Kids

by | Apr 8, 2020 | Uncategorized

MDOT has an activity for kids during the COVID-19 outbreak – build a spaghetti bridge

items.[0].image.alt
Posted at 9:52 AM, Apr 08, 2020
and last updated 9:52 AM, Apr 08, 2020

(WXYZ) — The Michigan Department of Transportation has an activity for kids to do while at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The department said kids can learn about engineering by designing, building and testing a bridge made from spaghetti.

All you’ll need is uncooked spaghetti, masking tape, empty soup cans or coffee cans and strips of cardboard.

Instructions from MDOT below.

Procedures: Bridges are a very important component of our transportation system. Without the use of bridges to traverse environmental elements such as rivers and gorges, it would take much longer and be more expensive to get products and people to their destinations.

Elementary bridge designing using materials such as spaghetti provides students with a method of investigating engineering techniques and allows for practicing scientific testing procedures.

Engineering Guidelines:

  • All completed bridge supports must be the same distance above the floor or tabletop. A distance of 30 centimeters or 1 foot works well.
  • Each group must use the same (or less) amount of uncooked spaghetti. The amount of spaghetti used is dependent upon the size of the can used. For soup cans, use 30-40 noodles; for coffee cans use 75-100 noodles.
  • The base of the support structure must be no wider than the can being used.
  • The can must be positioned with the opening facing up. This allows for the addition of weights to test the strength of the support.
  • The students can break or cut the spaghetti to any length they deem necessary.
  • The spaghetti should be taped only at the top or bottom. In other words, they must not use tape to wrap the entire length of the noodles or bundles of noodles.

Making the Support Structure:

  • Have the students become familiar with the engineering guidelines and the materials being used in the lesson.
  • Ask the students to brainstorm ideas for their design and to make drawings of possible support systems.
  • Suggest they consider geometric shapes (triangles, rectangles, etc.) that could be used.
  • Provide an adequate time limit for experimentation and construction. This consideration is dependent upon the ability level of the class.
  • Ask them to record the number of noodles that they use.
  • When each group has completed the task, have them investigate the maximum length of cardboard or poster board that can be balanced upon their support.
  • Have them record the metric length. Verify each group’s results and record their findings on the chalkboard.
  • Next, have each group use weights placed inside the can to test the strength of their support. Suggest that they begin with the lightest of weight then add weight incrementally.
  • Have them record the progression of weights that are added.
  • Have the students stop adding weight when the structure begins to wobble.
  • Verify each group’s results and record their findings on the chalkboard. If appropriate, give a prize to the members of the teams with the “best” results.
  • Ask the groups to re-place their cardboard roads upon the support structure. Does the structure still support the “road”? Can more weight be added when the road is placed on the bridge support?

Panera Offering Pantry Items

by | Apr 8, 2020 | Uncategorized

Panera offering pantry items through new Panera Grocery service

items.[0].image.alt
Posted at 10:27 AM, Apr 08, 2020
and last updated 10:54 AM, Apr 08, 2020

Panera wants to help make good eating—and clean food—accessible to all.

Panera announced Wednesday the launch of Panera Grocery, a new service enabling guests to buy high-demand pantry items such as milk, bread and fresh produce alongside their favorite Panera soup, salad or sandwich.

Panera Grocery is ordered on the Panera app or website and is available via contactless delivery, Rapid Pick-Up, Drive-Up and Drive-Thru, as well as through contact-free delivery via Grubhub.

“From limited choices on grocery shelves to the growing need to limit the number of trips outside of the home, it is an incredibly stressful time when it comes to putting wholesome food on the table, and we knew Panera could help,” said Niren Chaudhary, Panera CEO. “With this new service we can help deliver good food and fresh ingredients from our pantry to yours, helping provide better access to essential items that are increasingly harder to come by.”

Items currently available on Panera Grocery include:

  • Freshly Baked Breads & Bagels: Classic White Loaf; Whole Grain Pan Loaf; French Baguette; Bagel Packs
  • Milk & Dairy: Skim Milk & 2% Milk gallons (at participating cafes); Greek Yogurt, Yogurt Tubes; Plain Cream Cheese
  • Fresh Produce: Apples, Avocados, Blueberries, Red Grapes, Vine Ripe Tomatoes

For more information, visit www.PaneraBread.com.

National Filters Retooling to Manufacture Healthcare Masks and Respirators

by | Apr 8, 2020 | Uncategorized

National Filters Retooling to Manufacture Healthcare Masks, Respirators with Support from Michigan Strategic Fund

Contact: Kathleen Achtenberg [email protected]

Industrial filter manufacturer National Filters, Inc. is retooling and purchasing new machinery at its facility in Harbor Beach to produce healthcare equipment critical to COVID-19 relief efforts with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

 

Collateral support through MSF will allow National Filters to purchase equipment necessary to increase surgical mask production from 250 per day to 7,200 masks per hour, and begin producing N95 respirators at the rate of 2,000 per hour. The company will also rehire 16 employees who had been previously laid off due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

“The decision by National Filters’ to retool and manufacture vital healthcare personal protection equipment will provide critical supplies in the fight against COVID-19 and builds on the Arsenal of Innovation taking place across Michigan,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “We’re pleased to work with our local partners and support this project, and we commend the company for demonstrating resilience and ingenuity in helping to address this unprecedented public health crisis.”

 

Established in 1986 in Harbor Beach, National Filters manufactures hydraulic filter cartridges, compressor oil and air filters, fuel filters, dust collection filters and more. Earlier this year, National Filters completed a 20,000-square-foot expansion at its existing facility. The company employs 36 full-time people, but recently had to downsize during the COVID-19 virus.

 

The Michigan Strategic Fund is providing $196,625 in collateral support through MEDC’s Collateral Support program that will serve to secure the company’s bank loan. Tri-County Bank of Brown City will provide a line of credit to National Filters to secure the additional machines to allow for the production of the equipment. National Filters is in discussion with medical facilities in the Thumb and across Michigan for distribution of the equipment, once production is underway.

 

“National Filters is proud to announce the addition of surgical masks and N95 respirators to our manufacturing portfolio which will help stop the spread of COVID-19. We will begin to manufacture these materials at our facility in Harbor Beach next month,” said National Filters President Todd Raines. “These masks and respirators are desperately needed by medical professionals and first responders across the State of Michigan. National Filters is pleased to add more production of these vital products to the USA as a long-term manufacturer in Michigan. We are grateful for the support we have received from the Huron EDC, Tri-County Bank and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation which helped us in the acquisition of the equipment to escalate domestic production during this crisis.”

 

“Tri-County Bank, like everyone else, is eager to help whenever possible during the Covid-19 crisis. When we were approached by our customer, National Filters, Inc., about purchasing equipment to start manufacturing surgical and N95 masks, we felt it was our patriotic duty to do so,” said Tri-County Bank Vice President Fred Manuilow. “The MEDC stepped in offering assistance with their MSF Collateral Support Program, allowing this loan to be done without capital injection by the borrower. And in this time of crisis, our borrowers need all the capital they can get. The MEDC couldn’t have made the process any easier, or faster. It was absolutely amazing to be a part of this process and experience the MEDC’s commitment to Michigan businesses.”

 

The Huron County Economic Development Corporation worked with National Filters to assist in finding solutions in light of the COVID-19 crisis and connected the company to MEDC for support.

 

“We are happy that we were able to match available state resources with one of our local manufacturers during this challenging time. What National Filter is doing is a reflection of our national drive to meet the needs of our healthcare workers and the community,” said Huron County EDC Director Carl Osentoski. “The EDC is pleased to play a small part in this effort, led by National Filter, Tri-County Bank and MEDC. I would like to compliment everyone on their flexibility and the speed at which they reacted to the situation.”

 

The Access to Capital programs can provide greater availability of working capital during times of growth, change or economic uncertainty. As small and medium-sized businesses across the state are negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, existing programs with Capital Access provide opportunities to access financing that may not otherwise be available. Any business that has been affected by COVID-19 is eligible to receive support through the Collateral Support and Loan Participation programs. To learn more, visit here: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/services/access-capital/.

 

Today’s announcement is just one example of the type of support that is available through the MEDC and the state’s small business support organizations for small businesses, startups, entrepreneurs and communities throughout the state. Other resources for businesses across Michigan to assist them in recovering from economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 virus can be found online at michiganbusiness.org/covid19. This site includes resources offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration including emergency loans, the Pure Michigan Business Connect virtual procurement and donation platform, support services offered through the Small Business Development Center and more. The MEDC has also developed a FAQ for Michigan businesses and communities at michiganbusiness.org/covid19-faq.

 

For those who have questions about the state’s actions to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, please call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-535-6136 between 8AM – 5PM daily.

 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.