Businesses Impacted by Lack of Snow can Apply for Funding 

Businesses Impacted by Lack of Snow can Apply for Funding 

by | Mar 5, 2024 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 4, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Urges Small Businesses Impacted by Lack of Snow to Apply for Available Federal Funding

Amid the warmest winter on record, businesses in federally designated areas can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans

LANSING, Mich. — As Michigan continues to face record high winter temperatures, Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged Michigan small businesses impacted by lack of snow to apply for federal funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Amid the warmest winter on record, with days in February and March topping 60 degrees, federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available because of ongoing federal drought declarations affecting 42 Michigan counties.

 

“Michiganders are used to tough winters, but this year’s record-setting warm winter has been tough in a different way, causing economic hardships for small businesses and regional economies that rely on snow,” said Governor Whitmer. “I know how hard this winter has been on families and communities who rely on winter tourism revenue and all the associated business that comes with it—hotels, restaurants, and shops. Fortunately, businesses in these 42 counties in the UP and the Northern Lower Peninsula can apply for support right now. A drought is a drought—whether we’re talking about rain or snow. Businesses impacted by low snow in these 42 counties can apply for support right now, and I’ll continue to push our federal government for more solutions. We’ll get through this warm winter together.”

 

Record-Breaking Winter

 

“It’s all hands on deck to ensure our small businesses affected by the unseasonable lack of snow across the First District are able to make it through this tough winter,” said U.S. Representative Jack Bergman. “Working together with the Governor, business owners, and local leaders, we will continue to take every step possible to extend necessary resources and assistance to help our communities thrive through this unprecedented winter.”

 

“The many great businesses that depend on a winter wonderland need this chance to access relief funds,” said state Senator Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan). “Winter will be back next year, and we want these shops to be open and ready to serve the visitors who come to the UP.”

 

“This winter has been especially hard on our businesses that rely on snow. From ski hills to hotels and restaurants, many businesses I’ve spoken to are concerned whether they can even make it to the summer,” said state Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs). “Thank you to all who took the time to meet with us and to the Governor for working with the Small Business Administration to help make special low-interest EIDL loans available. I encourage all of our businesses to move quickly to secure this critical support.”

 

“The lack of snow this winter has had a profound impact on our local seasonal economies and the people who depend on them, especially in the U.P.,” said state Representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette). “I appreciate the governor encouraging Michigan’s small businesses to take advantage of the aid that’s available. We all want to ensure our communities remain resilient in the face of these unexpected challenges.”

 

“Michiganders up north know that getting through the winter means pulling together. That’s true during unusually warm winters, too,” said state Representative Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City). “This unseasonably warm winter has created unique challenges, especially for those businesses that rely on snow for a strong tourist season. So, I certainly echo Governor Whitmer’s call for small businesses to apply for SBA funds in the face of these unpredictable and difficult times.”

 

Drought Designation

42 Michigan counties are covered by a disaster designation for drought from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Through SBA declarations related to those designations, businesses in these counties may be eligible for emergency loans that offset their business losses if the loss is related to the drought.

 

There are the 42 counties covered by four different SBA drought declarations. Where two declarations cover one county, businesses can apply under either declaration. Applicable SBA declarations and relevant deadlines are as follows:

 

  1. Alcona – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  2. Alger – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  3. Alpena – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  4. Antrim – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  5. Arenac – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  6. Bay – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  7. Benzie – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  8. Charlevoix – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  9. Cheboygan – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  10. Clare – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  11. Crawford – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  12. Delta – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  13. Dickinson – Drought Declaration #20209, Deadline 11/27/24
  14. Emmet – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  15. Gladwin – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  16. Gogebic – Drought Declaration #18175, Deadline 5/13/2024
  17. Grand Traverse – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  18. Gratiot – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  19. Iosco – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  20. Iron – Drought Declaration #18175, Deadline 5/13/2024
  21. Isabella – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  22. Kalkaska – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  23. Leelanau – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  24. Luce – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  25. Mackinac – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  26. Manistee – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  27. Marquette – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  28. Mecosta – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  29. Menominee – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  30. Midland – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  31. Missaukee – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  32. Montmorency – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  33. Ogemaw – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  34. Ontonagon – Drought Declaration #18175, Deadline 5/13/2024
  35. Osceola – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  36. Oscoda – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  37. Otsego – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  38. Presque Isle – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024 OR Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  39. Schoolcraft – Drought Declaration #20175, Deadline 9/26/2024
  40. Roscommon – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  41. Saginaw – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024
  42. Wexford – Drought Declaration #20133, Deadline 8/12/2024

 

“The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) is very appreciative of the work by the Governor’s office, the Small Business Administration and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to provide disaster relief funding, which will help many Michigan ski areas that are vital job providers and assets to our communities but suffered critical visitation and revenue losses due to weather, with reduced staffing and limited operations during key visitation times,” said Mickey MacWilliams, president and executive director of MSIA.  “This has been a challenging winter all across the state but we will persevere, and even with the mild temperatures, many Michigan ski areas are still open to welcome guests.”

 

“This year’s El Nino weather pattern and unusually mild winter have severely affected our snow-dependent industries,” said Warren Call, President & CEO of Traverse Connect and member of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance. “The loans available through this initiative are a much-needed support effort for northern Michigan’s small business employees and owners that rely heavily on winter recreation for their livelihood.”

 

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans are designed to help businesses through disaster situations that have impacted their economic well-being. Loans are up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Businesses pay no interest on the loan for the first year and a maximum rate of 4% for the rest of the loan period. Businesses must apply by the application deadline for their county.

 

Submit applications and find additional disaster assistance information at https://lending.sba.gov. Call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech-related disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Applicants may also contact the Michigan Small Business Development Center at 1-833-522-0025 or email [email protected].

NECC Owner Pleads to 11 Counts of Manslaughter

NECC Owner Pleads to 11 Counts of Manslaughter

by | Mar 5, 2024 | Regional News

Nessel Email Header
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 5, 2024

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

NECC Owner Barry Cadden, Responsible for Deadly 2012 Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak, Pleads to 11 Counts of Manslaughter

LANSING – Yesterday, in the 44th Circuit Court in Livingston County, Barry Cadden, former owner of New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham, Massachusetts, pled no contest to 11 counts of involuntary manslaughter for his actions leading to the 2012 deaths of 11 Michigan residents, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The plea accompanies a sentencing agreement of 10-15 years’ incarceration.

In 2012, a nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak resulted in 64 deaths, 11 the result of injection treatments at the Michigan Pain Specialists Clinic (MPS) in Livingston County. Patients at the clinic were given epidural injections of the steroid methylprednisolone, which was compounded and produced at Cadden’s NECC in Massachusetts and shipped to MPS. Donna Kruzich, Paula Brent, Lyn Laperriere, Mary Plettl, Gayle Gipson, Patricia Malafouris, Emma Todd, Jennie Barth, Ruth Madouse, Salley Roe, and Karina Baxter died as a result of being injected with the contaminated drug.

“Cadden ran his pharmaceutical lab with a shocking and abhorrent disregard for basic safety rules and practices, and in doing so he tragically killed eleven Michigan patients,” said Nessel. “Wherever you are in this country, if your greed harms and kills Michigan residents, my office will make every effort to enforce the fullest extent of the law. Patients must be able to trust their medications are safe, and doctors must be assured they aren’t administering deadly poison. My office has worked closely with the families of these victims, and we’ve ensured that this plea fits their desire for closure and justice.”

Cadden disregarded sterility procedures in the compounding of sterile medications and ran his business in an egregiously unsafe manner, endorsing laboratory directives wherein cleaning records and scientific testing results were regularly forged and fabricated. The Department of Attorney General began investigative action against Cadden in 2013 and charged him with 11 counts of Second-Degree Murder in 2018. In 2017, he was found guilty in a federal court of 57 criminal charges, and would eventually be sentenced to 14.5 years’ incarceration. The sentencing to follow yesterday’s pleas of no contest will be served concurrently to the federal sentence.

Though investigative efforts of the Department of Attorney General began in 2013 and a Michigan grand jury was seated in June of that year, then-Attorney General Bill Schuette acquiesced to a request from federal prosecutors to freeze the state case until the eventual federal trial was resolved. U.S. Attorneys for the District of Massachusetts indicted Cadden in December of 2014 following their own grand jury proceedings, and the 9-week trial did not begin until 2017.

In 2015, a $200 million dollar settlement agreement was reached between NECC and several affiliated companies, and the victims and their families nationwide. $10.5 million was designated for Michigan victims or their families.

The Michigan grand jury process was allowed to resume in 2018 after the conclusion of the federal trial. The grand jury was not reconvened, however, and in December of that year 11 charges of Second-Degree Murder were filed against Barry Cadden. Preliminary examination in the matter began in late 2019 and concluded in December 2020, with Cadden bound over to stand trial. This result was appealed by Cadden all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court, which remanded the case back to the 44th Circuit Court in Livingston County, upholding the original ruling to bind the matter over for trial, in April of 2022. Since then, for 22 months, the parties have appeared before the Court to file and argue motions shaping a future jury trial.

A majority of families representing the 11 victims expressed support to the Department of Attorney General for resolving these criminal charges with a plea deal. Surviving parents, spouses, and adult children of the deceased victims told victim advocates with the department they hoped to find solace in resolution, anticipation for the matter to finally be concluded, and that the sentencing agreement was acceptable to their want for justice.

Sentencing for Barry Cadden is scheduled for April 18th, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. in the 44th Circuit Court before Judge Michael P. Hatty.
March 4-8 is School Breakfast Week

March 4-8 is School Breakfast Week

by | Mar 4, 2024 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2024

Contact: [email protected]   

 

Governor Whitmer Proclaims March 4-8 as School Breakfast Week

Last year’s balanced, bipartisan budget delivered free breakfast and lunch for all 1.4 million public school students, saving parents $850 a year per kid on groceries and time every morning

 

LANSING, Mich.  – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed March 4-8 as School Breakfast Week and highlighted her administration’s bipartisan collaboration with the Michigan Legislature to deliver free breakfast and lunch for all 1.4 million public school students.

 

“There’s a reason we tell our kids that breakfast is the most important meal of the day—it helps them focus in class so they can learn and grow,” said Governor Whitmer. “This School Breakfast Week, let’s celebrate our bipartisan work to deliver free breakfast and lunch for all 1.4 million public school students in Michigan. I am so proud we got it done in last year’s balanced budget, and I am proud to have included funding to feed two free meals at school again in my budget proposal this year. By feeding our students, we can help them concentrate on learning and growing in class instead of worrying about an empty stomach. Let’s also save parents $850 a year on groceries per kid and valuable time every morning.”

 

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Michigan Students

The balanced, bipartisan budget Governor Whitmer signed into law last year delivered free breakfast and lunch for all 1.4 million public school students in Michigan. Getting this done saves parents an average of $850 a year per kid on groceries and valuable time every morning.

 

To view the full proclamation, click here.

 

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More Than $87 Million to 269 Municipalities and Counties

More Than $87 Million to 269 Municipalities and Counties

by | Feb 29, 2024 | Regional News

Treasury Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 29, 2024

Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167

Treasury: Adult-Use Marijuana Payments Being Distributed to Michigan Municipalities and Counties 

More Than $87 Million Going to 269 Municipalities and Counties

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Treasury today announced that more than $87 million is being distributed among 269 municipalities and counties as a part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act.

Over the next few days, 99 cities, 30 villages, 69 townships and 71 counties will receive payments from the Marihuana Regulation Fund. For the state of Michigan’s 2023 fiscal year, this means each eligible municipality and county will receive more than $59,000 for every licensed retail store and microbusiness located within its jurisdiction.

“This week, many Michigan municipalities and counties will begin seeing their share of adult-use marijuana payments appear in their banking accounts,” State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. “Through a partnership, the dollars received from the adult-use marijuana taxes and fees are distributed to our participating communities. These dollars may be spent how our local units deem fit to their needs.”

Revenue was collected from 737 licensees among the state’s cities, villages and townships during the 2023 fiscal year. Some of these municipalities host more than one licensed retail store and microbusiness.

For the 2023 state fiscal year, there was more than $290.3 million available for distribution from the Marihuana Regulation Fund.

State law outlines how much is distributed from the Marihuana Regulation Fund.

Aside from the more than $87 million in disbursements to municipalities and counties, $101.6 million was sent to the School Aid Fund for K-12 education and another $101.6 million to the Michigan Transportation Fund.

“The tax funding for municipalities and counties that comes from the marijuana excise tax is a very important benefit of the legal cannabis industry in Michigan,” said Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) Executive Director Brian Hanna. “The CRA is committed to doing our part in supporting our licensees so that they can continue to grow the local economy throughout the state with good-paying jobs and increased revenues for local government budgets.”

For more information about adult-use marijuana tax distributions – including a breakdown of how much municipalities and counties received – go to Michigan.gov/RevenueSharing. To learn more about Michigan’s adult-use marijuana industry, go to Michigan.gov/cra.

Oakland County Conducts First Siren Test of Severe Weather

Oakland County Conducts First Siren Test of Severe Weather

by | Feb 27, 2024 | Regional News

Oakland County Conducts First Siren Test of Severe Weather Season

Post Date:02/27/2024 2:49 PM
  • Oakland County will activate its outdoor warning siren system at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 2. It has 275 outdoor warning sirens, each capable of covering about a one-mile radius from its location.
  • Individuals, families, and businesses throughout Oakland County are encouraged to use the siren test as an opportunity to discuss their preparedness plan to ensure that they are ready for severe weather.
  • For more resources on how you can prepare your home, school, or business for severe weather emergencies and other disasters, visit oakgov.com/emergency-management. To sign up for OakAlert, click oakgov.com/OakAlert.

Feb. 27, 2024, Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County will conduct its first outdoor warning siren test of 2024 on Saturday, March 2. It will produce a steady three-minute tone beginning at 1 p.m.

In a real emergency, the siren indicates a tornado has been sighted or strongly indicated on radar or a severe thunderstorm with sustained winds of 70 mph or greater is in the area. Residents would be given instructions to seek shelter immediately and listen to radio or television for more information.

“The first siren test of the season is a great opportunity to learn about why we have sirens and why it’s vital to have an emergency plan,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said. “Knowing what you will do ahead of time and how you will communicate with family and friends is invaluable.”

Individuals, families, and businesses throughout Oakland County are encouraged to use the siren test to discuss their preparedness plan to ensure that they are ready for severe weather. Oakland County Emergency Management has an array of preparedness resources and information about severe weather threats, tornados, downed power lines, floods, and fires on its webpage and social media accounts.

For more resources on how you can prepare your home, school, or business for severe weather emergencies and other disasters, visit oakgov.com/emergency-management. Follow Oakland County Emergency Management @OakGov.EM on X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook for preparedness tips and emergency information.

Oakland County has 275 outdoor warning sirens, each capable of covering about a one-mile radius from its location. The sirens are designed to alert individuals who are outside. People who are inside buildings may hear the siren if they are near the siren location. For indoor warnings, residents are

advised to obtain the FEMA mobile app or purchase a weather radio, which provides notifications of incoming severe weather. Or they can be warned through the “OakAlert” message sent to subscribers.

OakAlert is a self-registering alert system that emails participants about emergencies and disasters in Oakland County, such as chemical spills, significant road closures, missing persons, interruption of county services, health and safety messages, and active assailant situations. Subscribers are notified each time a siren goes off. To sign up for OakAlert, click oakgov.com/OakAlert.

OC Recognizes Employees for Actions That Saved the life of Coworker

OC Recognizes Employees for Actions That Saved the life of Coworker

by | Feb 27, 2024 | Regional News

Oakland County Recognizes Employees for Actions That Save the Life of a Coworker

Post Date:02/14/2024 1:55 PM
  • Oakland County IT employees found their co-worker, James Fortune, unconscious at work. They called 911, performed CPR, and used an automated external defibrillator to resuscitate him, saving his life.
  • On Valentine’s Day, County Executive Dave Coulter and others joined Fortune, who is back on the job, in expressing gratitude for their swift, life-saving actions.
  • Oakland County offers AED/CPR training to its employees and has AED machines distributed throughout county buildings. Learning CPR and AED saves lives.

LEFT: Waterford Area Fire Department Lt. Steve Meier, Chief Matt Covey, County Executive Dave Coulter and James Fortune.

Pontiac, Mich. ­– While some were focused on matters of the heart this Valentine’s Day, Oakland County was celebrating matters of James Fortune’s heart after his county coworkers saved him from what could have been a fatal heart attack. County Executive Dave Coulter joined Fortune in sharing the gratitude for saving his life during a ceremony with his Information Technology colleagues today.

 

“The Oakland County Information Technology Department has a tight-knit bunch of workers who sprang into action that morning to help their co-worker,” Coulter said. “Their selfless and instinctive actions are a true reflection of our values in Oakland County – respecting and caring for one another.”

On Sept. 13, 2023, Fortune’s coworkers found him collapsed, not breathing, and without a heartbeat in the county’s Information Technology Building in Waterford. They rallied together to save his life by calling 911 for help, performing CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to resuscitate him.

IT employee Todd Simpson called out to identify coworkers who have AED/CPR training. Steve Jennings, Jeff Long, and Steve Erkins responded, performing CPR and utilizing the AED, while another dialed 911. A Waterford Township dispatcher aided in guiding Fortune’s resuscitation.

Other IT employees honored today for their life-saving actions along with Simpson, Jennings, Long, and Erkins were Dawn Clark-Pitts, Addie Hankins, Scott Kaiser, Stacy Metcalf, Melba Collins, Casey Hanson, Jill Nagi, Tammi Shepherd, and Janet Brinker.

“They deserve any honor I can give them. They did a fantastic job,” said Fortune, a 67-year-old Pontiac resident. He added that his doctors told him there was no permanent damage to his heart because of the prompt actions of his coworkers.

Coulter gave each employee a challenge coin for their quick reaction which saved Fortune’s life. The challenge coins remind recipients of the county’s values of community, respect, inclusion, and gratitude.

Fortune has embraced the value of gratitude now that he has recovered from his heart attack. The former college athlete who ran cross country and wrestled said he has been biking five to 10 miles a day and walking. Next, he said he will train to run a marathon.

“My plan is to stay in shape the rest of my life. There are no shortcuts anymore,” said Fortune, who returned to work Oct. 25.

Waterford Regional Fire Department Chief Matt Covey, who attended today’s private recognition ceremony, sent a note to Coulter and others at the county on the day of Fortune’s episode, emphasizing that CPR and AED training saves lives.

“This morning over at the IT building our crews responded to a cardiac arrest. I have been informed that a team of county employees did an absolutely amazing job using an AED and performing CPR,” Covey said.

Oakland County offers CPR/AED training to its employees on an ongoing basis. In 2023, 306 county employees completed CPR/AED training across 32 classes. The county also maintains 174 AED machines in county buildings ensuring the ability to respond to a cardiac emergency. There have been at least three saves of county employees by AED since 2016.

“I was working for the right place. Had this happened anywhere else, I would have died,” Fortune said.