June 2, 2020
Oakland County Executive Biweekly Newsletter
Dear Friends,
These are challenging times. As we recover from the devastating health and economic consequences of a global pandemic, we are reminded of the terrible racial injustices that still exist in our country.
We must acknowledge that within the Oakland Together community we are seeking to build too many of our residents feel targeted, marginalized and at-risk during routine encounters on our streets. It is the responsibility of all of us to tear down structural inequities and collaborate with diverse groups to build and sustain the strong partnerships that stand together in the face of injustice.
As we continue to reopen our economy and come back together in the next days and weeks let’s do it safely and with a determination that we can beat COVID-19, recover economically, and be united against all challenges.
Sincerely,
David Coulter
Oakland County Executive
County Distributes 10,000 Toolkits to Give Small Businesses Head Start on Safe Re-Boot to Build Consumer Confidence
Oakland County is distributing 10,000 COVID-19 re-opening kits to small businesses throughout Oakland County.
County Executive David Coulter said, “We want to give our small businesses essential materials that have been difficult to acquire and are necessary when the OK comes for businesses to reopen safely. At the same time, we want customers to feel confident that our businesses are doing all they can to keep their customers and their employees safe.”
The kits contain more than $400 worth of supplies and are for small businesses with 50 employees or less that operate in Main Street Oakland County communities, other businesses not in a downtown, or faith-based organizations, and non-profit organizations. Besides masks and gloves, they include sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, floor stickers for interior spacing of customers or employees, posters and ideas for social distancing.
Toolkits and Safety protocols may be found at https://www.oakgov.com/covid/resources/Pages/default.aspx.
Oakland County Dedicates $1 Million in Emergency Aid To Assist Veterans Affected by COVID-19 Pandemic
County Executive David Coulter and the Board of Commissioners announced $1 million in emergency grant assistance has been allocated for veterans, service members and eligible family members affected by the coronavirus.
The grants can be used for health, economic, and financial hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is comprised of $250,000 in COVID-19 emergency assistance awarded by the state and $750,000 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“The economic and personal hardships caused by Covid-19 have impacted veterans across Oakland County,” Coulter said. “These grants are a welcome help to assist our veterans. I applaud the board for recognizing the great needs of our veterans during this unprecedented time and approving this resolution unanimously.”
The County’s Veterans Services Division is here to help our veterans and their dependents and we have benefits counselors available to provide individual assistance.
Coulter: More than 3,500 County Small Businesses Helped as $14 Million in Stabilization Grants Awarded
More than 3,500 small businesses seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will receive grants averaging nearly $4,000 from Oakland County’s $14 million small business stabilization fund.
The grants provide the small businesses with an immediate infusion of capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business.
“Small businesses are vital to Oakland County’s economy and so many of our residents,” Coulter said. “They bring life and value to our communities. These grants provide a substantial boost to many small businesses who have suffered greatly through no fault of their own during the pandemic.”
Another 13 companies received “Saving Businesses, Saving Lives” grants to transition into making personal protective equipment for health care, hospitals, and first responders.
“Oakland County is blessed to have such a wealth of nimble and talented manufacturing companies who are able to shift their focus to help in the fight against the coronavirus,” Coulter said. “Personal protective equipment remains critical for our health care workers, first responders and now for segments of the public who are returning to the workforce as the economy begins to open.
Oakland County Announces First COVID-19 Place-Based Health Clinic at Carriage Circle Apartments
Oakland County, McLaren Oakland hospital, and the Pontiac Housing Commission will go on the road to offer free COVID-19 tests and other health services to residents of Carriage Circle Apartments beginning June 2.
The county, McLaren Oakland and the housing commission are offering a host of services to Carriage Circle residents at the Pontiac apartment complex near Auburn Avenue and South Opdyke. Services include free COVID-19 tests, health screenings, food security assessments, and evaluations to determine if there are other needs. County staff will be onsite to help residents fill out the U.S. Census 2020 questionnaire.
“This COVID initiative builds on our Oakland Health360 initiative that will transform health services provided in our public health clinics,” County Executive David Coulter said. “COVID-19 highlights the racial disparities in our health care that were already unacceptable before the pandemic. It is important to take these critical health services where they are needed and I’m grateful to our partners for their willingness to help.”
Key Resources
Testing is now available to all adults.
Re-opening Toolkits and Safe Start Resources
Updated COVID-19 Information
For the latest information, please refer to our website at oakgov.com and click on the COVID-19 button on the home page.
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