Executive Order Lifting Restrictions on Overnight Summer Camps 

by | Jun 12, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 12, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Orders Lifting Restrictions on Overnight Summer Camps

 

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-120, which lifts restrictions on overnight residential, travel, and troop camps beginning June 15.

 

“As we’ve worked together to bend the curve and protect our families from COVID-19, our kids have lost time in the classroom and missed out on playdates, birthday parties and graduations. That’s why I’m glad they’ll have an opportunity to spend a week or weekend away at camp,” Governor Whitmer said. “This is another significant milestone for Michigan as we continue to slowly and safely reopen our economy, and I want to thank Michiganders for doing their part to flatten the curve. While this is good news, there’s still more work to do to protect Michigan families from the spread of this virus, avoid a second wave, and protect the heroes on the front lines. We will get through this together.”

 

Executive Order 2020-120 requires camps to follow guidance issued by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). These guidelines will be published in the coming days and were developed in close collaboration with public health experts and the camp industry.

 

The Executive Order also allows certain K-12 school sports activities and other in-person extracurricular school activities to resume. Such activities, however, are permitted only to the extent that they are consistent with rules requiring social distancing and, across most of the state, the closure of indoor exercise facilities.

 

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

 

To view Executive Order 2020-120 click the link below:

Health Division And Oakland Schools To Create Nurse Program For Safe Return

Health Division And Oakland Schools To Create Nurse Program For Safe Return

by | Jun 12, 2020 | Uncategorized

Health Division And Oakland Schools Partner To Create Nurse Program For Safe Return To Classroom In The Fall

$2 Million Initiative is First of Kind in State

​Pontiac, Michigan – The Oakland County Health Division and Oakland Schools are collaborating on a $2 million COVID-19 school nurse initiative which aims to give students, parents, school faculty and staff confidence that they will be safe when school resumes in the fall.

The Oakland Together School Nurse Initiative will assist schools with public health strategies and direction to prevent the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. School nurses will provide communication, training, consultation and recommendations to school districts when students return for classes in the fall. The Health Division plans to hire 68 nurses to work with schools through December, Oakland County Executive David Coulter said today.

“We know the concern the virus has caused among students, parents, school faculty and staff,” Coulter said. “We are working closely with our partners at Oakland Schools to provide prevention strategies that will allow our schools to resume the important work of educating our young people. We want everyone to have confidence we are doing everything we can to provide a safe and healthy learning environment.”

Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson, superintendent of Oakland Schools, said the partnership comes at an important time for education and families.

“After the child’s home, school represents the second most influential environment in a child’s life,“ Cook-Robinson said. “We are excited to be partnering with the Oakland County Health Division to bring the Oakland Together School Nurse Initiative to our students, parents, teachers and staff. Nurses working in the schools will have a crucial role in supporting health services to children and youth during this pandemic as they will be instrumental in implementing practices that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

The county Board of Commissioners is expected to consider the request when it meets in two weeks. Funding would come from the federal CARES Act. The program is believed to be the first of its kind in the state.

The program has three components, which include communication, training, consultation and
recommendations. Nurses would meet with individual districts to update them on COVID-19 activity in the community, provide prevention strategies for high-risk children and connect parents to additional resourced as

Students would be instructed on social distancing strategies, hand washing, health screening and
planning for what may come next in the pandemic. Other focus areas include:

  • Assist school districts in creating and implementing health screening protocols
  • Assist schools to identify and create sick/isolation rooms
  • Create educational messages on the importance of prevention and staying home when sick
  • Provide access to COVID-19 resources for students, parents, teachers and staff

The school nurse initiative is the latest in a series of moves Coulter, with support from the board, has undertaken to support business, non-profits and local communities during the pandemic.

Coulter moved aggressively to help struggling small businesses through the allocation of nearly $14 million to 3,500 small businesses seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants averaged nearly $4,000 from the small business stabilization fund. The “Saving Businesses,
Saving Lives” grant is included in the nearly $14 million fund.

The county recently began distributing 10,000 “Oakland Together” COVID-19 safety kits which include facemasks, no-touch thermometers, gloves and sanitizer to give small businesses essential materials for reopening and customers confidence they will have a safe experience. The toolkits were available to small businesses, faith-based and nonprofit organizations. The popularity of the kits has prompted the county to prepare another 5,000 kits for distribution.

Oakland County set aside $30 million from their allocation of CARES Act funds for cities, townships, and villages impacted by COVID-19.

Governor Signs Executive Orders Temporarily Suspending Evictions

by | Jun 12, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Orders Temporarily Suspending Evictions and Protecting Jail, Juvenile Detention Center Populations

 

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Orders 2020-118 , which further extends the duration of protections for tenants and mobile home owners from being evicted from their home until June 30, and Executive Order and 2020-119, which extends protections for vulnerable populations in Michigan’s county jails, local lockups and juvenile detention centers until July 9.

 

“By extending the protection against eviction for non-payment we can ensure that COVID-19-infected individuals and vulnerable populations can isolate in the safety of their homes while continuing to protect incarcerated persons in our prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers,” Governor Whitmer said. “These orders will ensure that we can continue to flatten the curve, avoid a second wave of infection, and protect the heroes serving on the front lines of this crisis.”

 

Executive Order 2020-118 also relieves courts from certain statutory restrictions so they can stay eviction-related proceedings until after the COVID-19 emergency has passed.

 

Executive Order 2020-119 temporarily suspends transfers into and from Michigan Department of Corrections facilities unless jails adopt certain risk-reduction protocols. Many counties—including Wayne, Oakland, Ingham, and Macomb have already resumed transfers, subject to ongoing review. The order also allows local officials more flexibility in releasing vulnerable populations who do not pose a threat to public safety.

 

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

 

To view Executive Order 2020-118 and Executive Order 2020- 119, click the links below:

 

Governor Lowers Flags for Fallen Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy   

by | Jun 11, 2020 | Uncategorized

1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 11, 2020

Contact: [email protected]   

 

Governor Whitmer Lowers Flags for Fallen Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy  

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff on Friday, June 12, 2020 to honor the life and service of Monroe County Sheriff’s animal control officer Darrian Young, who was killed on June 6 when her patrol car was struck by another vehicle.

 

“Our state grieves the loss of Darrian Young, who was just beginning a very promising career in public service,” Whitmer said. “Michigan is honored to have had Deputy Young in its service. She represents the best in us as Michiganders and she will be dearly missed and remembered fondly. My thoughts are with her family as we honor her life and legacy by lowering the flags to half-staff.”

 

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of Darrian Young by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.

 

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

 

Flags should be returned to full-staff on Saturday, June 13, 2020.
$4.35 million awarded to 74 businesses

$4.35 million awarded to 74 businesses

by | Jun 11, 2020 | Uncategorized

$4.35 million awarded to 74 businesses in first round of Michigan Small Business Relief Program loans

Contact: Kathleen Achtenberg [email protected]

Working in partnership with nine local economic development organizations, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has awarded $4.35 million to 74 small businesses in 40 counties across Michigan in the first round of low-interest loans awarded through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program, MEDC announced today. Today’s support builds on $10 million in grants awarded to more than 2,700 businesses through the program last month.

 

“This is good news for small business owners everywhere as we continue to safely re-engage sectors of our economy,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The COVID-19 pandemic hit our small business owners hard, and we’re working around the clock to ensure they have the support they need moving forward. That means ensuring they can pay their employees and provide them with the PPE they need to keep themselves, their families, and the heroes on the front lines safe. I will continue to work with partners at the state and federal level to ensure our small business owners can get back on their feet.”

 

The Michigan Small Business Relief program was authorized by the Michigan Strategic Fund to provide relief for small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Loans through the program are intended to support small businesses facing drastic reductions in cash flow and the continued support of their workforce and may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business. The full list of businesses receiving loans so far through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program is available at michiganbusiness.org/msbrp.

 

“During the past six-plus years, my partners and I have invested significant time and capital in starting and growing our small business in the rural Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where resources are always limited. MEDC has been a tremendous partner to us along the way, helping ProNav Marine access many essential business services otherwise not available to us and making it possible to sell and market our products on a global scale. As a young and rapidly growing company, cash flow is always difficult, especially during times such as these. The economic slowdown in our industry due to COVID-19 had a major impact on our sales during our peak sales season,” said Travis White, co-founder and CEO of ProNav Marine in Hancock. “The Michigan Small Business Relief Program provided a lifeline at a time of great need. Without this assistance, we were facing imminent workforce reductions and potentially even the possibility of closing our business. This would have been a great loss for our small community, as our company is driving innovation and technology and creating manufacturing jobs that are vital to Michigan’s economy. Our entire team is grateful for this program and the access to capital it has provided during this challenging time.”

 

Local EDO partners have referred eligible loan applicants to MEDC, where they are reviewed by a loan review committee including the Chief Business Development Officer, Senior Vice President of Growth and Development, and Senior Vice President of Business Development Projects. All loans made through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program are also approved through Michigan Strategic Fund delegated authority. Additional loans covering remaining regions in the state are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

 

“Thank you so much, we cannot tell you how much this is going to help our employees. our business our customers and our community. Without these lifelines, there is no question this business would have failed,” said Danny and Kim Brown, owners of Skatemore, Inc. (dba) Rollhaven Skating Centers in Flint. “We have been serving the Flint, Grand Blanc and Burton community for over 65 years. Now we can serve it for many years to come.”

 

Summary of loans allocated by local economic development organizations:

 

Applicant Number of businesses assisted Number of jobs retained Amount Counties Covered
 

Invest UP

  

8

  

127

  

$500,000

 Keweenaw, Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Baraga, Iron, Marquette, Dickinson, Menominee, Alger, Delta, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac, Chippewa
 

Networks Northwest

  

10

  

87

  

$500,000

 Emmet, Grand Traverse, Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Wexford, Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau
Otsego County Economic Alliance     4     71 $200,000 Otsego, Crawford, Roscommon, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda
Target Alpena     4     34 $200,000 Iosco, Alcona, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan
 

The Right Place

  

  14

  

118

  

$1,000,000

 Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola
Lakeshore Advantage     5    106 $300,000 Allegan, Ottawa
Middle Michigan Development Corporation     4    246 $200,000 Isabella, Gratiot, Clare, Gladwin
Flint & Genesee Chamber   13    180 $850,000 Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Tuscola, Sanilac, Huron
Lansing Economic Area Partnership   12      * $600,000 Clinton, Eaton, Ingham
TOTALS  74   969    

 

*NOTE: Not all EDOs requested jobs retention numbers from applicants.

 

“The Michigan Small Business Relief Program loans are intended to provide critical capital to support the health and sustainability of the state’s small businesses, communities and workforce,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “By collaborating with our local economic development partners, we are able to deliver vital financial resources to small businesses all across Michigan as they work to recover from the loss of revenue as a result of the COVID-19 virus.”

 

In addition to the $10 million in loan funds, the Michigan Strategic Fund also approved $10 million in

Michigan Small Business Relief Program grants which were administered by 15 local and nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) around Michigan. The EDOs were selected through a competitive process based on capacity to administer the program and ensure coverage to small businesses in all 83 counties in Michigan. To see the full list of businesses that received MSBRP grants, visit https://www.michiganbusiness.org/msbrp/.

 

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. The MEDC has also developed a FAQ for Michigan businesses and communities at michiganbusiness.org/covid19-faq.

 

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.

 

Quotes from local partners

 

Lansing Economic Area Partnership

“LEAP has been working tirelessly to locate and distribute desperately needed relief to local small-business owners across our three-county region—so many who are on the brink of losing their livelihoods and who are responsible for the livelihoods of others,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “The MSBRP loan program has brought good news to many. These loan funds will help small-business owners continue to operate during and rise back up after this crisis diminishes. The Lansing region is most thankful to Governor Whitmer and the MEDC for these desperately needed funds.”

 

Middle Michigan Development Corporation

“We at Middle Michigan Development Corporation greatly appreciate MEDC’s strong support for our area businesses through the MSBRP. In addition to the 165 grants we previously awarded with funds from the MEDC to small businesses in our area, MEDC has followed up with $50,000 low-interest loans to four additional small businesses that we had recommended to help them get through the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are extremely grateful for this incredible support for our small businesses.”

 

The Right Place

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges to our region’s businesses,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “These loans will assist in easing the dramatic financial hardship felt by local businesses, and we are grateful to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Strategic Fund for making these funds available.”