As with everything this year, I’m guessing that your Fourth of July was celebrated in somewhat of a different fashion this year. Whether you watched a community fireworks display while staying socially distanced or watched the kids light up sparklers on your lawn, I hope you were able to take the time to celebrate, and enjoy the significance of the holiday.

I’m on vacation this week myself—we have had a terrific time reconnecting with family, re-energizing and appreciating all that we have to offer here in Pure Michigan—all while wearing face masks and practicing social distancing.

I also wanted to make sure to share new support for the small businesses in Michigan impacted by COVID-19—including those in the travel industry. Last week, Governor Whitmer signed Public Act 123 into law, appropriating $100 million in federal CARES Act dollars to the Michigan Strategic Fund to implement the Michigan Small Business Restart Program. This grant program will work to reduce the economic impact of the ongoing pandemic on Michigan small businesses and workers and is modeled after the Michigan Small Business Relief Program. The $100 million will be allocated among 15 local economic development organizations to administer the grants to businesses in all 83 Michigan counties. A minimum of 30 percent of the funds must be awarded to eligible women-owned, minority-owned or veteran-owned businesses, for a maximum grant of $20,000. Applications for the Michigan Small Business Restart Program will be available beginning July 15, 2020, at michiganbusiness.org/restart. I encourage you to visit the web page to learn more about eligibility and the application process.

With this program—along with the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grants, also authorized yesterday by the MSF—the MEDC has launched 17 COVID-19 relief and recovery programs supporting more than 3,100 business in the state and helping to retain more than 12,400 jobs across all 83 counties to date. We continue to work closely with our MEDC colleagues to ensure every resource is available for businesses, communities and our workforce across the state.

As we continue down the path of returning to normalcy, I encourage you to take every precaution possible to keep the spread of COVID-19 contained and to look to the roads less traveled all throughout our state to continue to experience the best of Pure Michigan safely and with joy.

All best,
Dave Lorenz
Vice President
Travel Michigan
517-335-0007
lorenzd@michigan.org

Image: Turnip Rock: Courtesy of Blue Water Area CVB