by Becky Andrus | Oct 12, 2020 | Uncategorized
Governor Whitmer to Sign Historic
Bipartisan “Clean Slate” Legislation
LANSING – Governor Gretchen Whitmer will sign House Bills 4980-4985 and 5120 reforming Michigan’s criminal justice system tomorrow. She will be joined by bipartisan leaders from across the state to mark this important moment in Michigan’s history.
WHO: Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II
Attorney General Dana Nessel
Representative Graham Filler
Representative David LaGrand
Representative Sherry Gay-Dagnogo
John Cooper, Executive Director of Safe & Just Michigan
WHAT: Clean Slate Bill Signing
WHEN: Monday, October 12th at 1:00 PM
WHERE: Please see RSVP Information below.
FEC ¾, DVB S2, 8PSK, 4:2:0 1080i
Satellite coordinates provided by WLNS
The satellite window will open at 12:50 PM.
RSVP DIRECTIONS FOR MEDIA
To RSVP and attend the press conference virtually, please email [email protected] with your first and last name and outlet.
RSVPs will be considered in the order they are received and space is limited.
To be considered, RSVPs must be received by 11:00 AM, TOMORROW
If your participation is confirmed you will receive a confirmation email from our office with further directions.
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by Becky Andrus | Oct 12, 2020 | Uncategorized
Top Five Games: By Sammy Taormina 
Stoney Creek at Southfield Arts and Tech: This is shaping up to be a very interesting game in Southfield. The Cougars are 4-0 for the third time in school history but they should be tested by the athleticism of the Warriors. Southfield Arts and Tech has had a ton of struggles lately and they earned their first win of the season by beating Oak Park 33-6. Stoney Creek won at Adams for the first time ever last week 23-10. The quarterback, running back, coaching, and coordinating matchup will be interesting. On one side you have Ryan Echout, Cameron Buford, Coach Nick Merlo, and defensive coordinator Gary Griffith. On the other side you have Isiah Marshall, RaeQuan Lee, Coach Tim Conley, and offensive coordinator Aaron Marshall. If it’s a pure power game advantage Cougars. If it’s a speed athletic game advantage Warriors. This is shaping up to be a very good game.
Ferndale at Rochester: The Falcons are in uncharted territory at 4-0 for the first time since 1993. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 1992 and both teams are 2-2 coming into the season series. Ferndale has done very well in the Blue but they have really struggled outside of the Blue. This has to change for Coach Eric Royal if his team wants to make that next step to noticeability. Even though this is a league game for the Eagles this should be their biggest test since getting blown out 49-8 by Allen Park two weeks ago. Rochester is rolling on all cylinders but the Eagles should provide them a challenge. The Falcons will have tougher challenges yet to come especially once the postseason rolls around.
Bloomfield Hills at Berkley: This will be the Bears biggest test taking on a very experienced quarterback in Tanner Slazinski and the Blackhawks. Slazinski might be Berkley’s best quarterback they have seen all season. Bloomfield Hills has scored 27 points in the last two weeks including falling 43-7 to Birmingham Brother Rice last week. The Bears have been rolling and had to survive Troy Athens 22-20 last week. It’s going to be a very interesting game to say the least.
North Farmington at Oxford: These are two 2-2 teams that have had up and down seasons. Both teams have good running backs in Trent Muir and Justin Whitehorn and good quarterbacks in Brady Carpenter and Jacob Bousamara. The Raiders beat Farmington 38-14 last week while the Wildcats were shutout 45-0 by West Bloomfield. This is shaping up to be an interesting matchup of coaching styles between Zach Line and Jon Herstein and the different styles of play each team has in Oxford.
Pontiac at Troy: These are two schools that have been struggling. The Colts have scored seven points in two weeks. Troy had been 2-0 but that changed when they were shutout 26-0 by Berkley two weeks ago but they can turn things around and quickly before their showdown with “That School Down the Road” (Troy Athens) next week. The Phoenix scored their first points of the season last week in a 66-2 blowout loss to Avondale. Pontiac is struggling bottom line but if they can get this game then maybe things could turn around.
by Becky Andrus | Oct 8, 2020 | Uncategorized
Gov. Whitmer announces initiatives to increase high-speed internet across Michigan
$12.7 million in Connecting Michigan Communities grants and launch of Connecting Michigan Taskforce will expand broadband infrastructure statewide
LANSING, Mich. — Creating fair and equal access for every Michigander to compete in the 21st century was at the core of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s announcement today at the North American International Cyber Summit awarding $12.7 million to projects across the state to increase broadband internet access.
“In today’s society, the fastest way to create an even playing field for all is access to high-speed internet,” said Gov. Whitmer. “These broadband internet projects, along with additional infrastructure initiatives we are undertaking, will provide underserved communities in Michigan with high-speed internet service. This critical service is no longer a luxury but is a necessity that allows every Michigander to get a quality education and compete in the global economy.”
Residents who lack access to broadband or cannot afford a home broadband connection are unable to participate in telehealth, virtual learning, telework, civic engagement, and many other activities those who are connected are able to use every day. Today, approximately 1,243,339 Michigan households do not have a permanent fixed broadband connection at home resulting in $1.8B to $2.7B in potential economic benefit left unrealized among disconnected households.
The broadband projects announced today were selected through the Connecting Michigan Communities (CMIC) grant program. The $12.7 million in awards are estimated to generate between $15.7 and $23.1 million in annual economic benefits to consumers. These projects will extend access to over 10,900 households, businesses, and community anchor institutions (CAI) in Michigan. All projects have committed to closing the internet access divide and provide digital literacy training materials to residents and businesses in their proposed service area, and work with local CAIs and foundations to host events to promote e-learning, job, and workforce training.
Recommendations for the second round of CMIC grant awards will be announced this month, providing another $5.3 million towards further infrastructure expansion across the state. Last week, Gov. Whitmer signed a budget that included an additional $14.3 million in grant funding for a third round of projects in 2021.
This announcement builds on the launch of the Connecting Michigan Taskforce (CMIT), with Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II helping to lead the efforts to strengthen and grow broadband infrastructure across Michigan. The Connecting Michigan Taskforce will advise and assist in improving coordination among stakeholders in addressing broadband and technology access and adoption issues in the state.
“The internet access divide is real and must be addressed to provide opportunity for all Michiganders to thrive,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “This taskforce will provide a coordinated state of Michigan approach to increasing broadband access and adoption in Michigan and finding the resources that are vital to providing affordable broadband access to households and businesses statewide.”
Access to broadband and high-speed internet is vital to people’s ability to work, learn and carry out business. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it more imperative than ever and building and strengthening broadband infrastructure throughout Michigan will be a driver of economic recovery efforts statewide. To support that effort, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has partnered with Connected Nation Michigan (CNMI) to facilitate the Connecting Michigan Taskforce and improve the access, adoption, and use of broadband and technology across Michigan, by:
- Coordinating with local, regional, and state agencies as well as the private sector to increase broadband access and adoption in Michigan;
- Recommending policy changes to improve broadband access and adoption in the state;
- Identifying funding sources and opportunities to encourage investors to provide affordable broadband access to households and businesses statewide; and
- Monitoring federal broadband-related activities for policies and funding opportunities that will impact broadband in Michigan.
The taskforce is comprised of members that represent state of Michigan agencies or units that relate closely to broadband, including MEDC, Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Michigan Public Service, Michigan Infrastructure Council and the Library of Michigan.
Combined, the CMIC Broadband grants and the Connecting Michigan Task Force will help more Michigan residents gain access to, and adoption of broadband and the economic benefits it will provide.
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by Becky Andrus | Oct 8, 2020 | Uncategorized
Governor Whitmer Signs Bills Into Law
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Whitmer signed the following bills into law, as well as vetoed House Bill 5443.
House Bill 5492 requires the Michigan Department of Technology Management and Budget (DTMB) to assume all responsibility for the procurement, development, and maintenance of information technology (IT) services for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) by October 1, 2022. The bill was sponsored by Representative Abdullah Hammoud, D-Dearborn.
House Bill 5493 requires the Enterprise Portfolio Management Office within DTMB to provide a quarterly report on projects involving information technology (IT) services. The bill was sponsored by Representative Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Township.
House Bill 5494 requires DTMB to develop a process for accounting for and monitoring project costs for each information technology (IT) projects over $250,000. The bill was sponsored by Representative Annette Glenn, R-Midland.
House Bill 5495 specifies that if the Auditor General selects any IT system development vendor contract or maintenance project for an audit, they must also review compliance with DTMB’s new accounting and monitoring process. The bill was sponsored by Representative Terry Sabo, D-Muskegon.
House Bill 5148 allows adoption attorneys to advertise their services in order to help consumers find reputable legal help related to adoption, via an amendment to the Probate Code. Attorney advertising must still comply with the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct. The bill was sponsored by Representative Brenda Carter, D-Pontiac.
House Bill 5149 clarifies that adoption attorneys may be compensated for their services related to a court supervised adoption proceeding and certain temporary placements. The bill was sponsored by Representative Doug Wozniak, R-Shelby Township.
House Bill 5248 requires the Children’s Ombudsman to conduct a preliminary investigation, prior to a determination of the need for a full investigation, for all child fatality cases caused by or alleged to have been caused by child abuse or neglect. The bill was sponsored by Representative Matt Hall, R-Marshall.
House Bill 5249 requires the Children’s Ombudsman to publicly release his or her findings, recommendations, and agency responses not more than 30 days after the case closure date of a case investigated by the Office of Children’s Ombudsman (OCO). Any confidential information must be redacted. The bill was sponsored by Representative Andrea Schroeder, R-Independence Township.
House Bill 5443 was vetoed by the governor due to technical deficiencies. Nevertheless, Governor Whitmer remains supportive of the goals of the bills and hopes to work with the representatives to create a Kinship Caregiver Advisory Council. HB 5443 was sponsored by Representative Kathy Crawford, R-Novi.
House Bill 5444 was signed by the governor and would create the kinship caregiver navigator program. HB 5444 was sponsored by Representative Frank Liberati, D-Allen Park, and is tie-barred to HB 5443.
To view the veto letter, click the link below:
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by Becky Andrus | Oct 7, 2020 | Uncategorized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2020
336 Farms and Food Processors Awarded $15 Million in Michigan Agricultural Safety Grants to Protect Employees, Food Industry
- More than 26,000 jobs retained statewide
- 124 small farms receive $567,000 in MEDC Small Farm Safety Grants
- Farms and food processors in 55 of 83 counties received grants
- Funds used to cover testing costs, personal protection equipment, facility needs and more to help mitigate risks of COVID-19
LANSING, Mich. – A total of 177 farms and 159 food processors have been awarded $15 million in Michigan Agricultural Safety Grants to mitigate risks of the COVID-19 virus across the state’s food production industry, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced today. Additionally, 124 small farms of less than 10 employees received $567,000 in grants for COVID-19 risk mitigation through the MEDC Small Farm Safety Grants.
“Michigan’s food and agriculture sector has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19, and through the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant program we were able to provide some relief to our farmers and food processors across the state while ensuring the safety of our agricultural workforce and food production,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This program puts federal funding to work for Michigan’s farms and builds on additional COVID-19 relief efforts led by MEDC and MDARD to create a strong foundation for Michigan’s long-term economic recovery.”
Approved in July, the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant program allocated $15 million of federal CARES Act funding to provide much-needed funding to Michigan’s agricultural processors and farms’ COVID-19 mitigation efforts in support of this critical industry in the state. Awarded on a first come, first serve basis the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grants helped to retain 26,003 jobs with 26 percent of grants being awarded in geographically disadvantaged areas. Total Agricultural Safety Grants were divided between agricultural processors and farms with 10 or more employees as follows:
- $10 million in grants to 159 processors statewide.
- $5 million in grants to 177 farms statewide.
“When Michigan was hit with one crisis after another, and when there were some troubling trends in food and agriculture nationally, we worked to ensure that Michigan’s food supply chain was safe and secure,” said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. “And we all understood this could not be done if our essential workers became ill or felt unsafe in the workplace. We’re incredibly thankful for the work of Governor Whitmer and our partners at MEDC and GreenStone not only for executing this program, but also for doing it quickly when Michigan businesses and residents needed it the most.”
As a result of high demand for the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant program, and a clear need to help small farms mitigate risks of the COVID-19 virus in their operation, MEDC launched the MEDC Small Farm Safety Grant program on July 21, 2020. MEDC Small Farm Safety Grants were available to farms with less than 10 employees to fund COVID-19 mitigation costs.
Applications for both programs were processed by East Lansing-based GreenStone Farm Credit Services, one of America’s largest rural lenders, including 31 branches in Michigan. GreenStone has a 100-year track record providing financial services to the agricultural industry – including short, intermediate and long-term loans, equipment and building leases, life insurance, crop insurance, accounting and tax services. GreenStone completed initial screenings of all applications and supporting documentation and recommended applications to MEDC for final approval and disbursements of the grants awarded.
King Orchards in Central Lake was awarded a Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant utilized for PPE, sanitation supplies, quarantine housing and the implementation of COVID-19 testing for all workers.
“We are very grateful for the timely actions by the MEDC to make the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant available to farmers,” said Juliette King McAvoy, Food Safety Manager at King Orchards. “The application process was simple and funds were disbursed within 72 hours. The grant provided us with the support we needed to protect our workers and customers while simultaneously reducing the risk of detrimental disruptions to our operations and distribution of produce.”
According to MDARD, food and agriculture contributes $104.7 billion annually to Michigan’s economy, and represents 805,000 jobs statewide. Additionally, Michigan exports approximately $1.8 billion of food and agriculture products each year.
“This grant has been a big blessing to help offset the other expenses and losses we have experienced this year because of COVID-19,” said Catherine Genovese, owner of Candy Cane Christmas Tree Farm who received an MEDC Small Farm Safety Grant. “It will ensure that we have necessary PPE going into our busiest season, including masks, wipes and plexiglass screens to ensure the safety of both our employees and our clients.”
The authorizing legislation for the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant program also requires reporting on the program’s results by October 15, 2020 to the Legislature and State Budget Office. That report will be available on michiganbusiness.org/agsafety.
“Working in partnership with MDARD and GreenStone, we were able get this critical support into the hands of our farms and agricultural processors quickly and effectively to keep our workers and our food supply safe,” said Mark A. Burton, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “The Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant program built on our efforts to ensure COVID-19 relief was felt by businesses and workers statewide and that we were setting a strong foundation for economic recovery looking forward.”
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.
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.
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