by Becky Andrus | Jan 18, 2021 | Regional News
Coulter celebrates MLK Day
Oakland County, Michigan – Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter will engage in Martin Luther King Day activities in person and virtually on Monday, Jan. 18, including the Dr. MLK Task Force Drive for Justice in Southfield.
“Dr. King’s message is more important today than ever,” Coulter said. “We must not forget his legacy in the midst of the challenges we are facing as a country.”
Both the in-person and virtual appearances will be done in a safe, socially distanced manner. County Executive Coulter’s schedule is below.
In Person Events
- Dr. MLK Task Force Drive for Justice (Begins at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield).
- County Executive Coulter arrives at 9:15 a.m.
- Cars begin lining up at 9:30 a.m.
- County Executive Coulter speaks to participants via a virtual connection about current events and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent principles at 11:28 a.m.
- MLK Service Day Food Distribution (Brightmoor Christian Church, 40800 W. 13 Mile Rd., Novi)
- County Executive Coulter arrives at 3:00 p.m.
- County Executive Coulter will help pass groceries to cars while socially distanced and outside from 3:05-3:30 p.m.
Virtual Events
- Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)/AJC All People’s Breakfast honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Virtual program begins at 8:00 a.m.
- County Executive Coulter speaks via Zoom at 8:40 a.m.
- West Bloomfield Township Public Library
- County Executive Coulter to address virtual participants during a watch party that begins at 2:00 p.m.
- Farmington Community Library’s Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – Farmington IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Acceptance) panel discussion
- Troy-area Interfaith Group in partnership with the City of Troy and Troy Police Department
- Program begins at 7:00 p.m.
- County Executive Coulter submitted a pre-recorded video as part of a compilation of community members’ perspectives on the impact of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Video available on Troy-area Interfaith Group YouTube channel.
by Becky Andrus | Jan 18, 2021 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer reminds Michigan’s eligible businesses: Application opens tomorrow for Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program
- $55 million in funding available through Michigan Economic Development Corporation-led relief program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19 and recent public health orders
- Application will be open 9 am EST Jan. 19 – Noon EST Jan. 22. at www.michiganbusiness.org/survival
- All applications received will be collected by MEDC, then reviewed and considered by regional Economic Development Organization grant administrators
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s small businesses impacted by the recent COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask orders” can begin applying for $55 million in Michigan Small Business Survival grants through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. EST, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced today. The program was authorized by the Michigan Strategic Fund on Jan. 14.
“The Michigan Small Business Survival Grants Program will help small businesses throughout Michigan hardest hit by the impact of COVID-19, especially as they continue to experience additional strain in the winter months,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This program provides a significant opportunity to address the immediate needs of these businesses, and I strongly encourage all eligible businesses to apply for assistance.”
The Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program was signed into law by Governor Whitmer to meet the urgent need of Michigan small businesses that have experienced a significant financial hardship since the “gatherings and face mask orders” went into effect. Grants of up to $20,000 will 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.
To help businesses prepare, resources including the application questions, a tutorial video on how to apply, and instructions for registering in the application platform prior to Tuesday morning are available on www.michiganbusiness.org/survival. That same landing page is where the single, statewide application will go live on 9:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, January 19 through 12:00 p.m. (noon) ETS on Friday, January 22, 2021.
The Michigan Small Business Survival Grants will be administered by 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) covering all 83 counties across the state. All submitted applications will be reviewed by the EDOs based on eligibility requirements and local priorities and objectives. Grants will not be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Businesses must meet all of 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.
- Is in an industry that demonstrates it is affected by the “gatherings and face mask orders.”
- Needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses.
- Can demonstrate an income loss as a result of the orders as determined by the EDO in which an eligible business is located.
- Is not a live music and entertainment venue that is eligible for the Michigan Stage Survival grant program.
Individual EDOs may have additional eligibility requirements, which businesses will be able to access from the michiganbusiness.org/survival landing page. EDOs will also have discretion on grant awards up to the maximum of $20,000 for businesses that are fully closed and $15,000 to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact.
For the convenience of applicants, an electronic queue system will also be in effect once again with businesses entering the queue prior to entry into the application. Businesses will be able to sign up to receive an alert when they have reached the front of the queue with 15 minutes to start the application once they have been notified that they have reached the front of the queue.
Per statutory requirements, a monthly report will be provided to the legislature that includes a listing of grants awarded in the previous month and the name of the recipient of each grant provided under the program. A full list of grant awardees will be available on michiganbusiness.org/survival.
“We have seen the urgent need for these resources for small businesses across the state, and MEDC is proud to work with our local partners to ensure this funding gets into the hands of businesses efficiently, effectively and with the greatest impact possible,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton.
In total, the MEDC has now launched 23 COVID-19 relief and recovery programs that have supported more than 18,500 businesses in the state and helped to retain nearly 147,000 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.
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by Becky Andrus | Jan 18, 2021 | Transportation
MDOT is naming snowplows and everyone can help
January 17, 2021 — Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) snowplows now will have a special and personal touch on the department’s interactive Mi Drive map. Inspired in part by TrafficScotland.org, MDOT has started giving snowplows unique and creative names on the Mi Drive map. Current names include Plowasaurus Rex, Sir Salts-A-Lot, and Snowboni, and were chosen from hundreds of public offerings.
Yes, Plowy McPlowface is on the list.
Among the submissions were three special names: Tiger, Chill Bill, and Frosty, all from Roxane Gilbert’s 5th Grade students at Fair Plain East Elementary in Benton Harbor. Tiger, the school’s mascot, is now the name of one of the plows along M-63 near the school.
“We are excited that these snowplows will reflect our students’ creativity,” Fair Plain East Principal Brian Litten said. “Going forward, this partnership with MDOT will open the doors for our students to recognize career opportunities.”
Starting with several snowplows in MDOT’s Southwest Region, MDOT is hopeful to name each of the more than 250 MDOT plows statewide in the near future.
“This idea really was driven by people who reached out to us and wanted to know how they could name our plows like those in other places,” Nick Schirripa, MDOT spokesman, said. “There was so much positive energy and excitement generated so quickly for this idea, it was contagious. We couldn’t help but give the idea some legs and get some fantastic ideas for names.”
To see each snowplow’s name, visit Mi Drive at www.Michigan.gov/Drive and activate the MDOT snowplow tracker map layer. By hovering over an icon, the plow name will appear. Clicking on the icon will show the name and a description of what the truck is doing, as well a driver’s seat view of current road conditions through the snowplow cameras.
“We hoped this could be both fun and instructive and we’re thrilled with the participation from students and others in the community,” said MDOT Director Paul C. Ajegba. “I love many of the suggestions, and I can’t wait to see more.”
School and community groups are encouraged to submit ideas as an organization, in essence adopting a snowplow as their own and creating opportunities to learn more about snowplowing operations, winter driving, and other transportation-related safety topics.
More names are needed, and everyone is welcomed to participate. Go to www.Michigan.gov/NameMISnowplow and submit your ideas. There are a few guidelines. To be considered, suggestions must be G-rated and family friendly, and submissions that include famous, character, or brand names cannot be used. Staff from each of MDOT’s seven regions will be able to select their own plow names from the list.
by Becky Andrus | Jan 18, 2021 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer: President-elect Biden’s American Rescue Plan will Provide Crucial Support to Michiganders, Help Build our Economy Back Better
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after President-elect Biden unveiled a $1.9 trillion emergency relief plan to fund vaccinations, provide immediate relief to families, and support struggling communities. The president-elect’s plan also includes $350 billion in emergency funding for state, local, and territorial governments to continue providing crucial services like Medicaid, police and fire, education, and more.
“President-elect Biden understands that in order to build our economy back better, we must join forces to end the COVID-19 pandemic. His American Rescue Plan will help us do both. I have been calling on the federal government to pass crucial funding for state and local governments for months, and I am glad that the incoming Biden Administration has heard those calls. The president-elect’s plan will help us end the pandemic by mounting a national vaccine program to speed up vaccinations here in Michigan. The plan will also provide some much-needed relief for our families and small businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. Once again, President-elect Biden has proven that he will work around the clock to end the COVID-19 pandemic and build our economy back better. I’m proud to have a partner in the White House who will help us get things done for Michiganders.
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by Becky Andrus | Jan 18, 2021 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer, Gov. Evers, and Gov. Walz: Trump Administration Must Purchase More Vaccines, Allow States to Purchase Directly
Washington Post Reports Trump Administration Vowed to Release Vaccine; Reserve That Was Already Exhausted
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar expressing their frustrations with the Trump administration’s botched COVID-19 vaccine distribution and urged him to grant permission for states to directly purchase doses of the safe and effective vaccine. The governors also urged the Trump administration to purchase as many doses of the safe and effective vaccine as possible so states can get more shots in arms in the coming weeks.
“It has become abundantly clear that not only has the Trump administration botched the rollout of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, but also that the American people have been misled about these delays,” the governors said. “Pfizer just announced that as of yesterday, they have millions of doses of the vaccine on hand and are waiting on addresses from the Trump administration so they can deliver the vaccine to states. If you are unable or unwilling to give us that supply, we urge you to grant permission for us to directly purchase vaccines so we may distribute them to the people of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota as quickly as possible. Without additional supply or authorization to purchase directly, our states may be forced to cancel plans for public vaccination clinics in the coming weeks, which are expected to vaccinate tens of thousands. It’s time for the Trump administration to do the right thing and help us end this pandemic.”
After Governor Whitmer and eight other governors sent a letter to Secretary Azar last week requesting that the federal government distribute the millions of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses that are currently being held back by the Trump administration, the administration announced that they will release the available vaccine doses. But according to a Washington Post article published this morning, federal officials backtracked and are now claiming that the reserve has already been exhausted, despite the fact that we have not seen an increase in our allocations and despite Pfizer’s recent announcement that they currently have millions of doses of the vaccine on hand and are waiting on addresses from the Trump administration so they can deliver the vaccine to states.
To view the full letter to Secretary Azar, click the link below:
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