Oakland County Now Accepting Applications For A Variety Of High School And College Student Summer Jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 17, 2021

Contact: Erica Quealy, 517-582-2961

State task force urges new state policies to tackle root causes  of poverty, bring opportunity to more Michiganders

LANSING – Lifting millions of Michiganders out of poverty will require bold new initiatives, expanded state policies and a significant financial investment, according to a new report released today by the Michigan Poverty Task Force.

The group presented its findings – a list of 35 policy recommendations – to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who created the task force in December 2019 to identify new ways state government can help low-income Michiganders transcend poverty and build a better life.

“The economic impact and hardships this pandemic has imposed on so many Michiganders only makes the work of this task force more critical,” Gov. Whitmer said. “These recommendations will help us ensure that Michigan families have access to the support they need. I look forward to working across the aisle and with our many stakeholders to implement the recommendations that have the biggest impact across our state.”

To further the Task Forces efforts and recommendations, Gov. Whitmer included a $1M appropriation to conduct research and planning that will help lead the way towards improving the effectiveness of state benefit programs and address the barriers limiting individuals’ ability to access these programs in her Fiscal Year 2022 budget recommendations.

The task force, led by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), consists of leaders from 14 state departments, with input from the Legislature and philanthropy and community organizations who worked together throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to develop a comprehensive anti-poverty agenda for Michigan.

“The task force’s approach to poverty eradication will not only lift the poorest Michiganders but will also help those who’ve seen their middle-class status slip away because of stagnant wages and an evolving job market,” said Susan Corbin, LEO acting director.

While many state government efforts are already in place to help Michigan’s poor, the Poverty Task Force offered 35 new policy recommendations organized in five main areas. Examples of the report’s recommendations include:

• Benefits: Commission a comprehensive study on outcomes for former state assistance recipients and adopt a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) shelter stipend
• Economics: Increase access to Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit; support and incubate children’s savings accounts; and expand the housing choice voucher pilot program between the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority and the Michigan Department of Corrections
• Criminal Justice: Expand apprenticeship opportunities for inmates while incarcerated; and divert people with behavioral health needs away from the justice system
• Health, Safety and Housing: Create child support pass-through to families who receive or have received cash assistance; and fund the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund
• Education: Expand the Great Start Readiness Program; expand Early Childhood Home Visiting and Maternal-Infant Health programs; increase income eligibility for child care; and expand school breakfast and breakfast-after-the-bell programs

“These recommendations are the first step toward restoring the state’s safety net and bringing opportunity to struggling families,” said Kim Trent, LEO deputy director for prosperity and key staffer to the Poverty Task Force. “Creating conditions that give every Michigander access to economic opportunity and prosperity is one of the most sacred duties of state government.”

Today, 43% of Michiganders earn less than the basic cost of living and 1 in 5 children live in poverty, according to the United Way’s ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report. To afford the basics, single adults need a salary of just over $21,000 and a family of four needs to earn over $61,000.

“The Michigan Association of United Ways commends the efforts of Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Poverty Task Force to undergo the critical work of better serving Michigan’s most vulnerable residents,” said Mike Larson, president and CEO, Michigan Association of United Ways. “We know that low wages, reduced work hours and depleted savings, combined with increased costs of living, have made for an uneven economic recovery in Michigan. In looking at real, measurable data identifying those who struggle to afford basic needs, we can better visualize ways to collaborate, shine a light and ultimately reduce the ALICE population—and the Poverty Task Force has set out to do just that.”

Lori Johnson, project director at the EightCAP Inc. Community Action Agency in Greenville and a member of the Michigan Poverty Task Force Advisory Council, said the task force has identified solutions to address poverty in all corners of the state.

“The comprehensive way the task force has approached issues will have a tremendous impact across Michigan, in communities large and small, urban and rural,” Johnson said.

Michigan League for Public Policy President and CEO Gilda Jacobs said the Michigan Poverty Task Force report is a starting point for further discussion and planning.

“We hope the recommendations will help the state better leverage existing resources, create pathways to new resources and build partnerships with external stakeholders to better serve struggling Michiganders,” Jacobs said.

Rev. Charles Williams II, Senior Pastor at Historic King Solomon Baptist Church and Michigan Chair for the National Action Network, added his support for the Task Force recommendations and their power to stem the tide of poverty.

“Pastoring in a city with one of the largest poverty margins in the country, means I’ve seen what it does to individuals and communities firsthand. Although poverty has had a presence in society for quite some time, it doesn’t mean we should ever stop working on it. The Governor’s plan takes quality steps towards stemming the tide of poverty and increasing mobility for those who are stuck at the bottom,” Williams said.

EDUCATION POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

“The policy recommendations from the Poverty Task Force are an important first step in assisting residents in the State of Michigan and I appreciate the fact that the ALICE population are considered in this work. From an early childhood perspective, these steps are necessary to continue to the work that has begun in this state and will continue to help our youngest residents and their families. Additionally, from a trauma perspective, these are the beginnings of a solid foundation to begin to address the trauma and build resilience in people across the state.”   – Gretchen Wagner, Bay-Arenac ISD early childhood education director

HEALTH, SAFETY AND HOUSING POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

“As I talked to community leaders and legislators across the state in 2020, I repeatedly heard about the need for more housing resources. The Housing and Community Development Fund is a proven solution that simply needs a dedicated funding source. When funded, it has leveraged each state dollar into $11 of additional investment, creating jobs and homes for those in need.” – Luke Forrest, Community Economic Development Association of Michigan executive director

More information on the Poverty Task Force is available at Michigan.gov/LEO.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 17, 2021

Contact: Kathleen Achtenberg, achtenbergk@michigan.org

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announces nearly 6,000 small businesses across Michigan awarded $52.5 million through Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program  

• Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant program supports small businesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
• Over 52,500 jobs retained for Michigan workers as a result of the program
• Grants were chosen and administered by 15 economic development organizations

LANSING, Mich. – Critical relief totaling approximately $52.5 million for nearly 6,000 small businesses across the state has been awarded to date through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Michigan Small Business Survival Grant program, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today.

“The Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program provides crucial support to Michigan’s small businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “These grants, combined with additional business relief efforts offered by the MEDC, will create a strong foundation for Michigan’s long-term economic recovery. As we distribute the safe and effective vaccine and work to end the pandemic once and for all, I will continue partnering with leaders across the state and urging passage of the MI COVID Recovery plan to provide relief for our small businesses, protect public health and jumpstart our economy.”

Approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund on Jan. 14, the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program allocated $55 million to provide support to Michigan small businesses to meet the urgent need of businesses that experienced a significant financial hardship due to COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask orders.” The program allowed for grants of up to $20,000 to be awarded to businesses that are fully closed, with grants of up to $15,000 awarded to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact.  A total of 5 percent of overall funding for the program was able to go toward administrative costs of the economic development organizations administering the grants.

The State of Michigan appropriated the funds through SB 748, signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, to support Michigan’s small businesses that have been especially impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Michigan Small Business Survival Grants program was administered by 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) covering all 83 counties across the state. The full list of EDOs administering the grants, the counties they served, and the number of businesses supported is below.

Yen Yoga & Fitness in Traverse City received a $20,000 Survival grant awarded by Networks Northwest and owner Sara Harding said she is grateful for the funds, which will allow her studio to deliver services to the community and help sustain her teachers.

“Yen Yoga & Fitness is honored to be a recipient of a survival grant from the MEDC,” Harding said. “This grant will directly assist our amazing team as our industry has been tremendously impacted due to the pandemic. We know that the pandemic impacts everyone, and we will continue to do what we can to support our community through health and wellness.”

Summary of grants allocated by local economic development organizations:

*NOTE: EDOs were not required to have jobs retained numbers included in the initial report

To see the full list of businesses that received Survival grants, visit https://www.michiganbusiness.org/survival/.

Northern Trails Bar & Grille in Newaygo was the recipient of a $10,856 Survival grant awarded by The Right Place and according to owner Stephanie Barret, the funds helped cover the restaurant’s high payroll costs.

“The Small Business Survival Grant allowed us to cover payroll in our high-volume establishment. Our payroll costs have been crippling during the dine in shut down and due to the specific nature of our establishment, we are only able to reduce payroll costs so far,” Barret said. “In addition, we have an obligation to our loyal staff to do as much as possible to keep them afloat, so the grant allowed for us to have a small bit of breathing room. These last 10 months have rocked our industry and the ability to obtain this grant has given us a small bit of relief that we are very grateful for.”

To be eligible for grants under the program, businesses were required to meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Had 1 to 100 employees (including full-time, part-time and owner/employees) on a world-wide basis on November 17, 2020.
• In an industry that demonstrated it was affected by the DHHS epidemic orders.
• Needed working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses.
• Demonstrated an income loss as a result of the Order as determined by the EDO in which an eligible business is located.
• Was not a live music and entertainment venue eligible for the Michigan Stage Survival grant program. Grant awards for the program to be announced in the coming weeks.

“The Michigan Small Business Survival Program is providing significant support to small businesses helping to get them through this critical time and on the path to economic recovery,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “We are thankful for the efforts of our economic development partners, who worked swiftly and diligently to deliver these vital financial resources within their regions and create a path toward economic recovery for small businesses throughout Michigan.”

Fit4Life, a full-service fitness studio located at 19522 W. McNichols on Detroit’s northwest side, is one of the businesses hard hit by the pandemic orders. Since the onset of the pandemic, Owner Felicia Maxwell has held outdoor bootcamps and virtual classes to generate revenue. With restrictions still in place for exercise facilities, Maxwell desperately needed the help she received from the Survival grant, awarded by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.

“Until a large percentage of the population is vaccinated against COVID19, I can’t get all of my clients back,” she said. “I’m dependent on grants and other assistance available to me. While I’m very thankful to be a Survival Grant recipient, I’d rather be fully back to business and helping my community get and stay healthy.”

In total, the MEDC has now launched 23 COVID-19 relief and recovery programs that have supported 24,460 businesses in the state and helped to retain nearly 200,000 jobs across all 83 counties. To learn more about MEDC’s COVID-19 response programs and the impact they are having on economic recovery efforts, visit michiganbusiness.org/covid19response. Other resources for economic reopening efforts as well as businesses across Michigan struggling with economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 virus can be found online at michiganbusiness.org/covid19.

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.