FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2020
Media Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Strengthens Executive Order on Masks

Governor’s order offers clarification for businesses, polling places, public safety officers

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-153, which strengthens her previous order requiring all Michiganders to wear a mask in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces. This new order clarifies that businesses may not assume that an unmasked customer cannot medically tolerate a face covering, though they can accept a customer’s verbal representation to that effect. It also requires public safety officers to wear a face covering unless doing so would seriously interfere in the performance of their responsibilities, and clarifies that wearing a mask at a polling place for purposes of voting in an election is not required, but strongly encouraged.

“Wearing a mask is the right thing to do to protect our families, our businesses, and our economy,” said Governor Whitmer. “If everyone in Michigan masks up, we can save thousands of lives and put ourselves in a better position to send our kids back to school in the fall. For the safety of our loved ones and our dedicated first responders on the front lines: mask up, Michigan.”

“COVID-19 is far from over – people are still getting sick and dying,” said Katie Scott, RN, vice president of the Michigan Nurses Association. “As a nurse, I’m worried that many people are not taking the pandemic seriously enough. Don’t wait until COVID happens to you or a loved one to take action. Wearing a mask is a simple step that protects everyone.”

EXCEPTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S ORDER

Although a face covering is strongly encouraged even for people who are not required to wear one, the requirement to wear a face covering does not apply to individuals who, among other things:

• Are younger than five years old;
• Cannot medically tolerate a face covering;
• Are eating or drinking while seated at a food service establishment;
• Are exercising when wearing a face covering would interfere in the activity; or
• Are at a polling place for purposes of voting in an election.

Over the past two weeks, every region in Michigan has seen an uptick in new cases, and daily case counts now exceed 20 cases per million in all but one region in the state. Research confirms that a big part of the reason is spotty compliance with the governor’s requirement that individuals wear face coverings in public spaces.

Studies have shown that wearing a mask can save lives and significantly lover an individual’s chance of spreading COVID-19. A study on different regions in Germany, for example, suggests that the adoption of mandatory mask ordinances decreased the daily growth rate of COVID-19 infections by 40%. Modeling from the University of Washington similarly indicates that more than 40,000 lives would be spared nationwide if 95% of the population wore a mask while in public. Furthermore, a study conducted by Goldman Sachs concluded that a federal mask mandate could save the U.S. economy from taking a 5% hit to our GDP.

To view Executive Order 2020-153, click the link below:

• EO 2020-153 Emerg order – Masks – re-issue.pdf

The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) announced today that it will receive $2,222,811 over three years from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to support volunteerism in Michigan. The funding will support organizations in their response to COVID-19 by identifying resources and collaborating regionally to meet compelling needs.

CNCS, the federal agency responsible for AmeriCorps and other national service programs, will provide the funds through the Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) to expand volunteerism across the country. This is the largest VGF award Michigan has ever received.

“This important funding is critical for Michigan’s recovery,” said Robert Kolt, chair of the MCSC. “In a crisis, people want to help. Safely coordinating volunteers takes time and money, and this federal funding will help support efforts in our communities. Effective volunteer efforts don’t begin and end overnight, this multi-year federal funding commitment is essential in combating the virus.”

MCSC, the state’s lead agency for volunteerism, will use the funding to strengthen the infrastructure and capacity of nonprofits, corporations and state government to utilize best practices that lead to increasing the number of Michigan volunteers across the state.

The project will use innovative technology systems to support skills-based volunteerism, virtual volunteering and employee and youth engagement to make meaningful impact. The technology systems will capture data to make informed decisions and serve as a catalyst for inspiration and recognition.

“Virtual and skills-based volunteering are not new concepts, but the pandemic is forcing change at a greater speed,” said Ginna Holmes, MCSC executive director. “Communities and regions of the state are looking for integrated approaches to enhance resiliency in the nonprofit sector.”

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

Background
The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) utilizes service as a strategy to address the state’s most pressing issues and empowers volunteers to strengthen communities. In 2019-2020, the MCSC is leveraging more than $21 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. Michigan’s AmeriCorps, Volunteer Michigan and Mentor Michigan are also premier programs of the MCSC. Visit www.michigan.gov/volunteer for more information.

Michigan’s small businesses and nonprofits working to recover from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 virus can now apply for grants of up to $20,000 through the Michigan Small Business Restart Program, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. The program will provide $100 million in economic assistance to Michigan’s small businesses and nonprofits and in turn, help support workers and their families facing economic uncertainty during the outbreak. Information on how to apply, as well as eligibility criteria and program guidelines are available at michiganbusiness.org/restart.

“The Michigan Small Business Restart Program puts federal funding to work for small businesses in Michigan hardest hit by the impact of COVID-19, helping to ensure they can keep their doors open and put critical protections in place for their workers and their customers,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Families across the state depend on small businesses for their livelihood, and this program will build on additional COVID-19 business relief efforts offered by the MEDC to create a strong foundation for Michigan’s long-term economic recovery.”

Approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund on July 7, the Michigan Small Business Restart Program allocates $100 million of federal CARES Act funding to provide support to Michigan’s small businesses and nonprofits that are reopening and have experienced a loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The funding will be distributed across 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) covering all 83 counties in the state for grants up to $20,000 to support certain small businesses and nonprofits that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Participating EDOs are as follows:

The Michigan Small Business Restart Program application period will be live through Wednesday, August 5 at michiganbusiness.org/restart and all applications received during that three week period will receive consideration; grants will be awarded after the close of the application period based on criteria that are defined by the EDOs. Funds can be used as working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other similar expenses.

The MEDC anticipates that more than 5,000 businesses across the state will benefit from this program.

To qualify for grant support, businesses must meet the following criteria, based on statutory requirements for the program:

• Is a business or nonprofit with fewer than 50 employees that can demonstrate it is affected by the COVID-19 emergency
• Needs working capital to support eligible expenses
• Demonstrates an income loss as a result of the COVID-19 emergency

Additionally, at least 30 percent of the funds awarded under the program must be provided to women-owned, minority-owned or veteran-owned eligible businesses.

“We have taken this program from words on a page to full deployment in two weeks to ensure we can start getting these funds into the hands of small businesses and nonprofits across Michigan and continue to set a path to economic recovery here in our state,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “The Michigan Small Business Restart program will provide a significant opportunity to address immediate needs of small businesses and nonprofits negatively impacted by COVID-19. Combined with other MSF programs and services, as well as local and federal economic development support, we can help ensure small businesses throughout the state to recover from the short and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.”

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. All reporting forms will also be available on michiganbusiness.org/restart.

Paola Mendivil, co-owner of El Granjero Mexican Grill in Grand Rapids and advocate for Latina women, said she was pleased to learn that at least 30 percent of the Michigan Small Business Restart funds will be awarded to women-owned, minority-owned or veteran-owned eligible businesses.

“Small businesses all around Michigan have been hit hard by the COVID-19 virus, but women- and minority-owned businesses are often even more vulnerable in difficult times,” said Mendivil, who is also an active member of Local First, the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, and the Latina Network of West Michigan. “This funding could prove to be a lifeline for so many of these small businesses in the state. It’s important we continue to raise awareness and encourage these businesses to apply for these Restart Grants.”

The Michigan Small Business Restart Program is modeled after the Michigan Small Business Relief Program, approved on March 19 by the Michigan Strategic Fund to support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program consisted of a total of $20 million aimed at supporting businesses in need of immediate relief. The program included $10 million that was distributed to 15 local EDOs to provide grants up to $10,000 to certain small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Additionally, the program authorized $10 million for small business loans of not less than $50,000 and not more than $100,000 to eligible borrowers impacted by COVID-19 that were not able to seek alternative, suitable financing.

Under the Michigan Small Business Relief grant program, local EDOs selected more than 2,700 businesses across the state covering all 83 counties that received grant support expected to retain approximately 11,000 jobs. To date, more than 130 small business loans totaling more than $8 million have been approved through MSF delegated approval.

The $15 million Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant Program application process is also now live and can be found at michiganbusiness.org/agsafety. The program will support the implementation of COVID-19 monitoring and mitigation strategies to protect agricultural employees and the state’s overall food production industry, including PPE, testing, employee training and housing needs to ensure appropriate social distancing.

With the approval of these two programs by the MSF Board, the MEDC has launched 17 COVID-19 relief and recovery programs supporting more than 3,400 businesses in the state and helping to retain more than 14,700 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.

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.

Local quotes:

The Right Place:

“Many West Michigan small businesses continue to be negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Birgit Klohs, President & CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “This grant funding from the Michigan Small Business Restart Program will provide additional support to these businesses and assist with the region’s economic recovery.”

Southwest Michigan First:

“I am humbled by the commitment of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to small businesses, this $100 million along with the $20 million previously allocated will change the future of the families who operate our main street, community centric businesses across Michigan,” said Southwest Michigan First Senior Partner and CEO Ron Kitchens. “Thank you to Speaker Chatfield, Majority Leader Shirkey and Governor Whitmer for your bipartisan leadership and for understating that the greatest force for change is a job.”

Lakeshore Advantage:

“As an economic development organization, we have been on the front lines of small business and primary employer support since March. Lakeshore Advantage is honored to be stewards of these Restart grant funds locally in Allegan and Ottawa counties,” said Jennifer Owens, president, Lakeshore Advantage. “We are grateful to the MEDC and Michigan Strategic Fund for recognizing this valuable opportunity to directly assist as partners in small business retention and growth.”

Northeast Michigan Council of Governments:

“Northeast Michigan’s economic development organizations are extremely grateful for the Cares Act SBR funding that will provide $7 million in competitive grant funds to eligible small businesses and nonprofits in the 11-county region they serve. Target Alpena and Otsego County Economic Alliance will be providing the administration on the grant program, and Northern Lakes Economic Alliance will be assisting target in the Cheboygan county region,” said Northeast Michigan Council of Governments Executive Director Diane Rekowski. “We anticipate receiving many grant applications from businesses to address the financial loss they incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. Each EDO has set up separate teams that are comprised of representatives from each of the 11 counties to provide review and grant approvals from applications in their respective counties. As small businesses continue to feel the financial impact of COVID-19 in Northeast Michigan, the availability of up to $20,000 in grant funds will come as a welcome relief to those awarded.”

Cornerstone Alliance:

“These funds will provide much needed liquidity to Berrien County businesses who have suffered during the shutdown,” said Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland. “Businesses of every size and industry have been negatively impacted and I encourage every eligible business in Berrien County to apply for funding.”

Middle Michigan Development Corporation:

“This is absolutely great news,” said Middle Michigan Development Corporation President and CEO James McBryde. “The Michigan Legislature and MEDC have really come through with another relief program that will really help the small businesses in our region.”

The application process is now open for $15 million in grants for Michigan farms and agricultural processors 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. The application, along with more information and eligibility criteria, can be found at michiganbusiness.org/agsafety.

“The COVID-19 virus has especially impacted Michigan’s food and agriculture sector,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “This investment will provide critical resources to ensure the safety of Michigan’s food production industry and its workforce. “We can further our economic recovery in Michigan by putting federal dollars through the CARES Act to work for the people and business across our state through efforts like these to help with costs incurred by farms and food processors in the fight against COVID-19.”

Approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund on July 7, the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant Program will allocate $15 million of federal CARES Act funding to provide much-needed funding to Michigan’s agricultural processors and farms for their COVID-19 mitigation efforts in support of this critical industry in the state.

The Michigan Agricultural Safety Grants are divided between agricultural processors and farms:

• $10 million in grants will be provided to processors statewide, with a minimum grant of $10,000 and a maximum grant of $200,000.
• $5 million in grants will be available to farms statewide, with a minimum grant of $10,000 and a maximum grant of $50,000.

Applicants must apply as either a processor or a farm – but not both – and funds will provide grants of up to $1,000 per employee to fund COVID-19 mitigation costs, including but not limited to testing costs, personal protection equipment, facility needs, increased sanitation costs, employee training, and upgraded safety procedures for farm-provided housing.

“The next few months are absolutely critical for Michigan’s farming and food processing industries, so these resources couldn’t come at a better time,” said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. “To help ensure the health and safety of essential workers in our food supply chain, they will need testing, PPE, and housing or facility updates. We are very thankful for the work of our partners at MEDC and GreenStone for getting this process up and running so quickly.”

The program will cover costs incurred from June 1, 2020 through September 15, 2020 and eligible applicants will be able to apply for funding starting today, July 15. Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis until all funding has been awarded.

To qualify for grant support, applicants must be a farm or agricultural processor located in Michigan and meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of 10 employees in Michigan, with supporting documentation.
• Provide proof of good standing with the state of Michigan, as applicable (Certificate of Good Standing).
• Attest that the business is current on all state, local and real estate taxes, or is otherwise contesting them in good faith.
• Have completed registration in the State of Michigan Integrated Governmental Management Applications (SIGMA) Vendor Self-Service website prior to applying for grant funding.

Applications will be 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 will host the application portal; complete an initial screening of all applications and supporting documentation; and recommend applications to the MEDC for final approval and disbursements of the grants awarded. GreenStone will also provide a report to the MEDC of all applications that were denied in the review process. The authorizing legislation for the program also requires reporting on October 15, 2020, on the Agricultural Safety Grant Program’s results to the Legislature and State Budget Office. That report will also be available on michiganbusiness.org/agsafety.

“As a cooperative, we’ve appreciated the collaboration with MEDC and MDARD to help facilitate a program to support those who feed and fuel us all,” said Dave Armstrong, president and CEO of GreenStone Farm Credit Services. “Thanks to the technology we use to serve our members every day, GreenStone is uniquely positioned to accept the applications and supporting documentation in a simple and secure online platform to make the process as streamlined as possible for farmers and processors. We know the challenges they are overcoming; this grant program is an important step to support them.”

“Working in partnership with MDARD and GreenStone, we will 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. “We are continuing to leverage every resource available – whether federal, state or local – to ensure our small businesses across Michigan are able to receive the support they need to address critical safety concerns around COVID-19 and be in a position to help drive economic recovery moving forward.”

Other, related resources available to support Michigan employers in obtaining needed Personal Protection Equipment includes MEDC’s Pure Michigan Business Connect COVID-19 Procurement Platform – a procurement program to assist businesses in accessing non-medical grade PPE to keep their employees and customers safe as they begin resuming in-person operations.

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.

“With new grants now available to support ongoing safety efforts in Michigan agriculture, we encourage businesses to apply for funding as soon as possible,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “This $15 million grant program is good news for Michigan farmers and food processors, bolstering their efforts to safeguard employee health and well-being, and we appreciate leaders in Lansing for working together to provide agriculture-specific safety grant funds.”

The $100 million Michigan Small Business Restart Program application process is also live as of today and can be found at michiganbusiness.org/restart. The program will provide grants to small businesses around the state that are reopening and have experienced a loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The funding will be distributed across 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) covering all 83 counties in the state, providing a base amount of $3.5 million per EDO for grants up to $20,000 each to support certain small businesses that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Farms and food processors with fewer than 10 employees and that meet all other eligibility requirements would be able to apply for a grant through the Michigan Small Business Restart Program.

With the approval of these two programs by the MSF Board, the MEDC has launched 17 COVID-19 relief and recovery programs supporting more than 3,400 businesses in the state and helping to retain more than 14,700 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.

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.

About GreenStone Farm Credit Services

Headquartered in East Lansing, GreenStone Farm Credit Services is Michigan and northeast Wisconsin’s largest agricultural lender and one of the country’s largest associations in the Farm Credit System. A member-owned cooperative, GreenStone owns and manages $10 billion in assets and serves over 25,000 members with 36 branch locations. More information on GreenStone is available at www.greenstonefcs.com.

GreenStone provides 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 also specializes in residential and country home loans, and provides lending products for the purchase, improvement, construction or refinance of residences along with financing future home sites and recreational land.