$73 Million in Support for Entrepreneurial Hubs Across the State

by orionontv | Nov 9, 2023 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 9, 2023

Governor Whitmer Announces Over $73 Million in Support for Entrepreneurial Hubs Across the State

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce that 27 organizations have been selected to serve as entrepreneurial hubs across the state of Michigan, providing comprehensive resources and support to the state’s small businesses.

The Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program received approval by the Michigan Strategic Fund in June, following the passage of the $75 million Small Business Smart Zones and Business Accelerators initiative by the Michigan legislature in February. The program is funded by a one-time appropriation using American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) dollars to create and operate programs to support small businesses disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Michigan’s economy, and this investment to support their growth from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will build on Michigan’s economic momentum,” said Governor Whitmer. “These 27 entrepreneurial hubs across the state will shore up our small business ecosystem, providing economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and small businesses with the support they need to keep growing and expanding right here in Michigan.”

The program generated a high level of interest and demand, with a Joint Evaluation Committee reviewing over 80 applications representing a total of $275 million in funding requested. The 27 organizations selected will receive an average grant size of $2.7 million. While state law requires 20-percent of the businesses served by SBSH program to be minority-owned, an average of over 50-percent minority-owned businesses will be served among the applications selected.

“Michigan is committed to bolstering our entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting the small businesses that drive our economy, as well as the trusted and expert partner network that serve them, across the state,” said Amy Rencher, MEDC Senior Vice President of Small Business Services. “By leveraging federal dollars, the Small Business Support Hubs will help us expand and improve resources across the state, as well as raise the national profile of the strength of our entrepreneurial community.”

Programming across the 27 hubs is designed to meet regional needs as well as economic competitiveness measures, such as resources for strategic sectors including ClimateTech and Advanced Manufacturing. The hubs will also offer targeted support to family-owned and rural businesses to drive resiliency in a rapidly evolving economic climate.

Resources available from the hubs will include one-on-one coaching, cohort-based learning and accelerators, mentor matchmaking, pitch competitions, networking events, access to capital, partner referrals, and statewide resource navigation.

Grantees by Region

In Region 1, the grantees are Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation ($3,426,316), Lake Superior Community Partnership, Inc ($3,426,315), and Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation ($1,426,315).
In Region 2, the grantee is Traverse City Center for Entrepreneurship ($3,300,000).
In Region 3, the grantees are Target Alpena Development Corporation ($2,149,239) and Otsego County Economic Alliance, Inc ($1,136,859).
In Region 4, the grantees are Muskegon Innovation Hub at Grand Valley State University ($1,796,721), Start Garden Inc ($3,426,316), and Grand Rapids Nehemiah Project ($2,426,316).
In Region 5, the grantee is Central Michigan University Research Corporation ($3,426,316).

In Region 6, the grantees are Flint & Genesee Chamber Foundation ($2,366,356) and Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County ($2,500,792).
In Region 7, the grantee is Lansing Economic Area Partnership ($3,426,316).
In Region 8, the grantees are Battle Creek Unlimited, Inc ($3,300,000) and Can-Do Kalamazoo dba Can-Do Kitchen ($1,926,315).
In Region 9, the grantees are Ann Arbor SPARK ($3,426,316) and Lean Rocket Lab ($1,400,000).
In Region 10, the grantees are Operations School ($2,815,115), Tejara ($3,426,316), Detroit Economic Growth Association ($3,426,316), Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit ($3,426,316) and Velocity SmartZone ($1,800,000).

Multi-Region grantees are West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ($2,500,000) and ProsperUs Detroit Micro Lending ($2,000,000), while state-wide grantees are Lawrence Technology University Centrepolis Accelerator ($3,426,316), Small Business Association of Michigan Foundation ($3,426,316), and Michigan Founders Fund ($2,926,315).

Among the awardees for Region 1, Lake Superior Community Partnership has provided support to its business community in Marquette County for 25 years. With 95 percent of businesses in Marquette County classified as small businesses, the $3 million in funding from the SBSH program will ensure they can continue to support the small business ecosystem in the U.P.

“We’re honored to be awarded funds to expand those efforts by adding boots-on-the-ground support to reach small businesses in the entire central upper peninsula region, elevating our impact through more customized support and small business grants,” said Lake Superior Community Partnership CEO Christopher Germain. “With a wide range of partners, including Innovate Marquette, Accelerate UP, Northern Michigan University, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Sault Tribe Inc., and SDBC Upper Peninsula, the next three years will further cement the region as a great place to start and grow a small business.”

“The Upper Peninsula is a great place to live, raise a family, and work,” said state Senator Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Township). “These funds will help to make sure opportunities to work remain available. Our small businesses remain the foundation of our economy, and the MEDC support shows a commitment to fostering those opportunities. Ensuring future generations have the chance to remain here is great for the U.P. and the state of Michigan.”

In Region 10 and also providing state-wide support, the Lawrence Technology University Centrepolis Accelerator also received a maximum award of $3 million from the SBSH program. The Centrepolis Accelerator aims to fuel the growth of Southeast Michigan’s small manufacturers and hardware entrepreneurs by providing access to key resources including mentors, workshops, cutting-edge technologies, corporate connections, student and faculty engagement, events, workspace, and a collaborative community of peers.

“The MEDC Small Business Hub award allows Centrepolis, Michigan’s only dedicated hardtech physical product technology accelerator, to scale up our capabilities to help support entrepreneurs throughout the Upper and Lower Peninsula,” said Dan Radomski, CEO of Centrepolis Accelerator. “With this funding, we will commercialize more physical products, advanced materials and manufacturing technologies, maintaining our state’s leadership in this area and ensuring these products are designed, engineered, prototyped, and manufactured in Michigan.”

The SBSH funding will also enable Centrepolis to launch a Defense Hardtech Accelerator to develop technologies critical to national security and address domestic supply chain gaps.

“It’s an exciting time in Michigan, we’re investing in businesses big and small,” said state Representative Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield). “This is crucial infrastructure to truly compete for the best jobs and to strengthen small business and entrepreneurship in our communities. Not just in Southfield— but across the entire State, we’re delivering.”

AG Warns Gen Z May Be More Likely Scam Victims

by orionontv | Nov 8, 2023 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 8, 2023

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

Attorney General Warns Gen Z May Be More Likely Scam Victims

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel wants to make Michigan residents aware that members of Generation Z – those born between the late 1990s and early 2010s – are three times more likely to be victims of online scams. Those under 20 lost an estimated $8.2 million in 2017 and $210 million in 2022, a more than two-thousand percent increase, per the FBI’s Internet Crime Reports.

Though they have been raised in the internet age and have a deep familiarity with their devices, members of Gen Z tend to be more frequent victims of identity theft, account hacking, and romance scams than their grandparents, finds a 2022 report from the National Cybersecurity Alliance..

Members of Generation Z spend large amounts of time shopping online or engaging with social media. Both are spaces where they will find plenty of fraudsters waiting. Members of Gen Z perform these tasks on their cellphones and are frequently targeted with phishing emails and ads from fake e-commerce platforms catered specifically to their interests.

Gen Z-ers, young and in the early stages of their professional life, are often targeted with bogus job offers promising to accelerate their careers. These offers will often require a payment for training or supplies. However, no legitimate employer will require payment for a position.

Young adults are also likely to leave apps always available and always “on” without having to log in between uses. Two-factor authentication is rarely used among this age group, and it is not unusual for members of Gen Z to reuse passwords on multiple platforms. These present more vulnerabilities, and enabling two-factor authentication could better protect young consumers.

“Many members of Generation Z are handling their finances for the first time and may be susceptible to bad actors looking to scam them,” Nessel said. “Protecting your information and your devices is an important step in staying safe online. If you have been scammed, the Consumer Protection Team in my office can help.”

The Attorney General recommends using the following tips to avoid online scams:

Enable two-step authentication.
Turn off location-based services on your cellphone.
Deactivate cookie tracking.
Delete accounts you are not using.
Change your passwords often and use unique passwords not based on known words or phrases.
Watch out for the unexpected. Out-of-the-blue communications should be looked upon with suspicion.

Following the above safety tips and applying common sense privacy practices will help online users of all generations stay safe and keep their information secure.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:

Consumer Protection Team:
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

Anti-Robocall Task Force Issues Warning Letters

by orionontv | Nov 7, 2023 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 6, 2023

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force Issues Warning Letters to Eight VoIP Providers

LANSING – Last week, the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force issued warning letters to eight Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers that transmit calls across the nation, and appear to continue transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic on behalf of one or more clients, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Per the warning letters, the targeted VoIP providers do not “appear to have taken sufficient steps … to identify, investigate, and mitigate suspected illegal call traffic that is accepted onto, and transmitted across,” the provider’s network.

The warning letters are “intended to serve as additional notification” to the VoIP providers “about the Task Force’s continuing concerns regarding its call traffic, and to caution” the providers they “should cease transmitting any illegal traffic immediately.” They were issued to the following providers:

All Access Telecom, Inc.,
Lingo Telecom, LLC,
NGL Communications, LLC,
Range, Inc.,
RSCom Business, LLC,
Telcast Network, LLC,
ThinQ Technologies, Inc., and
Telcentris , Inc. dba Voxox.

Attorney General Nessel announced the formation of the Task Force in August 2022. The nationwide Task Force is comprised of 50 attorneys general and was formed to investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies responsible for bringing a majority of foreign robocalls into the United States. This bipartisan nationwide Task Force has one goal: to cut down on illegal robocalls.

For any Michigan residents who suspect they may have been the victim of identity theft perpetrated by robocalls or other means, or would like to learn more about how to protect themselves, the Department has guidance for Identity Theft Prevention and Recovery available on its website. The Department has also issued guidance on Michigan’s telemarking laws and the Do Not Call Registry.

Attorney General Nessel has established her own in-state initiative to crackdown on Robocalls. According to the National Consumer Law Center and Electronic Privacy Information Center, over 33 million scam robocalls are made to Americans every day. These scam calls include Social Security Administration fraud against seniors, Amazon scams against consumers, and many other scams targeting all consumers, including some of our most vulnerable citizens. An estimated $29.8 billion dollars was stolen through scam calls in 2021. Most of this scam robocall traffic originates overseas. Since 2019, a substantial reduction in Do Not Call Registry complaints from Michigan residents has been recorded and reported by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Alongside the FTC, Attorney General Nessel announced the nationwide Operation Stop Scam Calls in July of this year, a 50-state law enforcement sweep to crackdown on illegal telemarketing targeting operations responsible for billions of calls to U.S. consumers.

Attorney General Nessel offers the following tips to avoid scams and unwanted calls:

Be wary of callers who ask you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. For example, the Internal Revenue Service does not accept iTunes gift cards.
Look out for prerecorded calls from imposters posing as government agencies. Typically, the Social Security Administration does not make phone calls to individuals.
If you suspect fraudulent activity, immediately hang-up and do not provide any personal information.
Contact our Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388.
File a Do Not Call or Text complaint here.

In March of 2023, Nessel won judgments shutting down a massive robocall operation based in Texas. The company’s owners had directed billions of illegal robocalls to people across the country and had bombarded Michigan consumers with more than 42 million robocalls in 2019 alone, including more than 19 million calls to people whose numbers were on the Do Not Call list. A judgement was secured against other parties involved in this scheme in August 2023. Nessel most recently joined a coalition of state attorneys general calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to clarify the rules requiring telemarketers to obtain consent from a consumer before making robocalls.

Nessel also has joined a multistate lawsuit against Avid Telecom for allegedly initiating and facilitating billions of illegal robocalls to millions of people and violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and other federal and state telemarketing and consumer laws. Avid Telecom is alleged to have sent or transmitted more than 7.5 billion calls to telephone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry.

In 2022, Nessel hosted the Second Annual Robocall Summit along with Ohio AG Dave Yost. The summit highlighted the problem of robocalls, what Michigan has accomplished in its efforts, and discussed tools to help reduce robocall numbers. Also in 2022, Nessel partnered with YouMail, a platform that uses traceback technology to determine the source of robocalls.

In addition, AG Nessel has joined efforts to cut down on unwanted text messages by supporting the FCC’s proposal to require wireless providers to block texts from invalid, unassigned, or unused numbers and from numbers on a Do Not Originate list. This is consistent with the Attorney General’s belief that the FCC’s illegal text message enforcement should be in line with its enforcement of illegal robocalls.

AG Nessel is committed to further reducing the number of illegal robocalls and texts coming to Michigan residents so that they become part of our state’s distant past.

The Michigan Department of Attorney General accepts complaints about robocalls via its online complaint form.

Whitmer Proclaims November as ‘Michigan Craft Beverage Month’

by orionontv | Nov 7, 2023 | Regional News

This message is being sent as a public service on behalf of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council.

For immediate release: November 6, 2023
Program contact: Jenelle Jagmin, 517-930-0696
Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724

Governor Whitmer Proclaims November as ‘Michigan Craft Beverage Month’ as the Holiday Season Begins

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed November as Michigan Craft Beverage Month, recognizing Michigan’s robust craft beverage industry’s role in thriving economies and community vitality.

“Our craft beverage industry brings communities across America together and supports tens of thousands of good-paying jobs,” said Governor Whitmer. “As governor and a lifelong fan of high-quality, Michigan-made products, I will continue taking action to grow our economy, invest in workforce development, and power our agriculture industry so these leading businesses can continue expanding right here in Michigan. Throughout Michigan Craft Beverage Month, I encourage Michiganders to join me in supporting Michigan’s craft beverage makers.”

Throughout Michigan Craft Beverage Month, Michiganders are encouraged to support local businesses by including Michigan-made craft beverages into their holiday meal plans, gift giving, and other memory-making activities with family and friends.

“The diversity and versatility of Michigan’s agriculture is on full display when it comes to our thriving craft beverage industry,” said Tim Boring, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and chair of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council. “The specialty crops our state is known for, like apples, hops, and grain, allow the craft beverage sector to create innovative and flavorful products, exclusive to Michigan.”

Michigan ranks sixth in the nation for the number of craft breweries, seventh for craft distilleries, and is a consistent national top producer of hard ciders. The state ranks ninth in the country for wine production, bottling more than 4 million gallons annually. With more than 300 breweries, 195 wineries, 85 distillers and 90 hard cideries across Michigan, the industry thrives at the intersection of agricultural business development, tourism, and community investment, both rural and urban.

Craft beverage businesses directly contribute to the economic vitality of communities. It’s common to see them revitalizing main street buildings and lesser developed industrial areas, often acting as an anchor for more development. Wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries also impact rural communities, creating jobs and bolstering tourism.

“Thank you to the Michiganders who are already steadfast ambassadors of our one-of-a-kind industry,” said Jenelle Jagmin, director of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council. “We ask you to share your support this holiday season, using your spending decisions to support local business and Michigan-made products. Happy Michigan Craft Beverage Month!”

To learn more about the Michigan Craft Beverage Council and find Michigan craft beverage businesses near you, visit michigancraftbeverage.com.

assistance to help keep your house warm in the winter

by orionontv | Nov 2, 2023 | Regional News

Friend ––

Winter in Michigan means many things for many people. For some folks it means ice fishing, outdoor hockey, and shoveling your driveway at five in the morning. But for far too many of our neighbors winter brings one constant burden — a heating bill that they can’t afford.

No one should have to choose between keeping their family warm or fed, especially when it’s dangerously cold outside. That’s why I’m excited to announce that Michigan is receiving more than $161 million in federal funding to help low-income families and individuals keep the heat on in the winter through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Click HERE or on the picture below to see if you’re eligible for LIHEAP assistance, and please pass along the link to anyone you may know who could benefit.

I worked to secure an additional $100 million for LIHEAP when we passed the bipartisan infrastructure law, and I’ll keep fighting to help ensure folks have the support they need to keep themselves, their families, and their homes safe when we experience dangerous temperatures.

Thanks for reading,

Gary Peters
United States Senator for Michigan

OC Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center Expands Hours

by orionontv | Nov 2, 2023 | Regional News

Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center Expands Hours for Public to Adopt Pets

Post Date:11/02/2023 10:04 AM

Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center is now open Saturdays and later Tuesdays and Thursdays.
County Executive Dave Coulter’s administration worked with the Board of Commissioners to hire four additional employees to support the additional hours that the pet adoption center is open.
For more information about adopting a pet, go to www.oakgov.com/petadoption.

Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center is now open on Saturdays and expanding its hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays to make it more accessible and convenient for people to adopt a pet or purchase a dog license.

The shelter has an unprecedented number of dogs and cats that need loving homes. In response, County Executive Dave Coulter’s administration worked with the Board of Commissioners to hire four additional employees to support the additional hours that the pet adoption center is open.

“There’s no better time to get a friend for life than right now,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “We want to make it as convenient and accessible as possible for residents to head to the Pet Adoption Center and check out all the great dogs and cats, who are patiently awaiting their forever home.”

Beginning Nov. 4, Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. In addition, the pet adoption center will be open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Nov. 7.

“We believe that by being open to the public on Saturdays and later two days during the week, we will enable the public to have additional opportunities to come to the shelter to interact with our adoptable pets and hopefully pick out a furever loving addition to their family,” said Bob Gatt, shelter manager.

Currently, there are at least 125 dogs and more than 80 cats available at the pet adoption center.

Dog licenses for 2024 are available beginning Dec. 1. Proof of a current rabies vaccine is required to purchase a license. The shelter is offering free rabies vaccines every Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. until noon when the pet owner purchases a license at the same time.

The Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center is located at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Bldg. 42E, in Pontiac on the county government campus. To contact the pet adoption center, call 248-858-1070 or email [email protected]. For more information about adopting a pet, go to www.oakgov.com/petadoption.

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