COVID-19 Articles

A new COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Detroit is giving people even more incentives to join the fight against COVID-19.

Report finds actions taken in 2020 and 2021 helped Michigan significantly reduce racial disparities in COVID-19 response, deaths

Most Americans live in places where healthy people, including students in schools, can safely take a break from wearing masks under new U.S. guidelines on COVID-19 released Friday.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has updated its mask guidance to drop public health advisories regarding mask usage in most indoor public settings and K-12 schools as the state enters a “post-surge recovery phase.”

The Michigan Department of Treasury is administering a $409 million business grant relief program designed to help certain Michigan businesses that have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Learn more about terms and eligibility.

The Detroit Regional Chamber released findings from a new statewide poll of registered voters in Michigan. The survey provides insight and data on Michiganders’ perceptions of the economy, how inflation has impacted their assessment, ongoing challenges with COVID-19, vaccination, voting rights, and the political landscape going into the 2022 midterms.

Gyms, movie theaters, and other businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic would receive state grants under a $185 million spending bill that won initial legislative approval Jan. 27. Applications for those grants are due by April 1 and must be disbursed by July 1.

The U.S. government website to order free at-home COVID-19 tests in this latest coronavirus surge fueled by the omicron variant appears to be up and running Tuesday, a day earlier than the White House announced on Friday.

Big Michigan businesses do not need to require workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular weekly testing after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Thursday that prevents the Biden administration’s sweeping regulation from taking effect. But state health care facilities that receive specific federal funding must comply with a vaccine mandate, the court determined in a second ruling.

Mayor Mike Duggan ramped up efforts Wednesday for residents to get tested for COVID-19 amid a surge of omicron variant cases, including reactivating the city’s largest drive-thru center.

With the omicron variant of the coronavirus rapidly spreading throughout Southeast Michigan, finding a test has become problematic.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed several bills Monday that state leaders say will finance millions of dollars in incentives that will attract businesses, create job and make Michigan more competitive.

Michigan’s larger businesses are heading into the holiday week with renewed uncertainty over the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for workers announced months ago by President Joseph Biden.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the director of the state health department urged vaccination and boosters for eligible residents amid still-high rates of COVID-19 in the state before many travel for the holidays.

Late Friday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an Order and Opinion lifting the stay that previously had been entered by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit which had prevented the OSHA COVID-19 emergency technical standard (the “ETS”) that applied to employers with 100 or more employees from going into effect.

Today, President Biden will announce new actions to protect Americans and help communities and hospitals battle Omicron, building on the robust plan he announced earlier this month to get people maximum protection ahead of the winter and prepare for rising cases driven by the new variant.

Oakland County Health Division is accepting appointments for residents 16 years old and up who would like to receive their Pfizer booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Jim Hermon, member of the labor and employment practice group at Dykema joined the Chamber’s Vice President of Government Relations, Brad Williams, to discuss the requirements of the ETS and provide specific recommendations for employers who need to prepare to act if the stay is lifted.

With a potential federal vaccination or testing requirement for businesses on the horizon for employers of 100 or more, legal experts at Dykema hosted a webinar to explain some of the terms of these new regulations to help employers prepare.

Hospitalizations from COVID-19 rose 20% in Michigan in the last week, to 2,621, alarming hospital leaders who say the state is now mired in its fourth coronavirus surge.

On Nov. 4, the U.S. Department of Labor released emergency rules from OSHA that will officially go into effect Jan. 4, 2022. As of that deadline, employees at companies of 100 or more must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or get tested for the virus weekly. Learn how this will impact Michigan businesses.

The city of Detroit and its neighboring suburban health departments have begun giving Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots.

The federal government is poised to sign off on vaccine boosters made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson as early as this week, paving the way for greater protection against COVID for hundreds of thousands more people in Michigan.

Oakland County Health Division reminds residents that COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given at the same time, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The Health Division is administering both vaccines at its indoor community clinics.

Vaccines may have helped prevent the COVID-19 deaths of 3,900 seniors in Michigan and hundreds of thousands across the United States between January and May this year, according to a federal report released Tuesday.

Since booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine were authorized on Friday (Sept. 24), more than 400,000 people have received their third dose. That’s just at pharmacies.

Calling it a “pandemic of the unvaccinated,” President Joe Biden announced a new, sweeping federal mandate Thursday that will require about 100 million American workers to get coronavirus vaccines with hopes of squelching a national surge driven by the delta variant that has choked the U.S. economy.

Vaccine mandates are set to get more common in the workplace. A majority of U.S. employers — 52 percent — are planning or considering requirements for a COVID-19 shot by the end of the year, according to a survey released Wednesday by consultant Willis Towers Watson. That’s more than double the 21 percent of companies polled that currently have some form of mandate.

Wayne County’s Public Health Department instituted a mask mandate Friday for all county school districts, schools and day care providers.

General Motors Co. has required all salaried employees in the U.S. to disclose their coronavirus vaccination status to help guide its safety protocols, the automaker confirmed Thursday.

Students and staff in schools across all of Oakland County will be required to wear masks as the school year begins.

MIOSHA is strongly encouraging Michigan employers to follow recently updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines due to the Delta variant of COVID-19. View the updated guidance.

Rocket Companies Inc. will require unvaccinated employees to wear masks in the office and get tested weekly, the mortgage giant said Wednesday, joining many other organizations increasing COVID-19 prevention protocols amid the spread of the Delta variant.

To mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the White House recently released a number of resources to support people managing Long COVID. Learn about new guidance for those experiencing Long COVID including potential workplace accomodations.

A second major health system based in Michigan will require its workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Trinity Health, based in Livonia, announced Thursday that its employees, contractors, and others conducting business in its hospitals must be vaccinated by Sept. 21.

A new study has found that some vaccines may offer COVID-19 immunity for years, especially for those who contracted and recovered from the virus before immunization.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to announce details Thursday of a COVID-19 vaccine sweepstakes that will give vaccinated Michiganders a chance to win a combined total of more than $5 million in cash and nine college scholarships worth $55,000 apiece.

On June 17, MICHauto executive director Glenn Stevens Jr., Global Strategic Supply Solutions Chief Executive Officer and MICHauto Board Chair Lisa Lunsford, and Shape General Counsel Aida Tanaka, testified before the Michigan House Workforce Committee on the continuing labor shortage issues facing the automotive and mobility industry and state.

Henry Ford Health System will mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for its 33,000 employees effective Sept. 10. The Detroit-based health system is the first major health system in Michigan to require employees receive the vaccine. It joins at least 18 other health systems across the U.S. doing so.

A Salesforce survey of 200 U.S. small business leaders illustrated how this sector is growing its customer base, using technology, and preparing for the future. Though small businesses have suffered revenue loss over the course of the pandemic – as more than half of survey respondents shared – these results show promise for businesses that prioritize safety, focus on customer experiences, and commit to technological investments.

The Michigan House voted Thursday night to approve a tentative $64.7 billion budget with a significant funding boost for schools just a week before a self-imposed deadline to OK the state’s next spending plan. The House-backed budget plan, which doesn’t yet include funding bills for community colleges and universities, would increase funding 8% for K-12 schools to $16.7 billion.

No more mask mandates, worrying if you’re six feet away from another table at a restaurant or waiting for someone to leave a store before entering to ensure the business is not over capacity. At 12:01 Tuesday morning, Michigan joined the majority of states in the nation and rolled back almost all of its remaining pandemic restrictions.

Today, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) filed COVID-19 emergency rules to align with Federal OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The updated rules are effective today and set to expire Dec. 22, 2021.

Starting at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Michigan bars and restaurants can go back to 100% indoor capacity and drop social distancing. Michigan’s capacity limits for indoor gatherings and public-facing businesses will be lifted June 22, nine days earlier than originally planned.

Employers and employees across Southeast Michigan are preparing to transition back to in-person work. The Detroit Regional Chamber knows a shift this large doesn’t come without challenges. During a recent employer forum, national health experts discussed useful strategies for maintaining well-being amid return to office and the importance of staying up to date on routine vaccinations.

The Michigan Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to allocate nearly $4.4 billion in federal COVID-19 aid to K-12 schools after Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration reached an agreement.

Worker shortages are leaving employers across Michigan and the nation in a lurch, particularly those looking to fill hourly jobs in such industries as retail, food service, and hospitality. Business leaders in Michigan say the shortages risk lessening the gains they hoped to recoup following the pandemic. And the shortages do not bode well for businesses looking to rebound as the state approaches an unfettered reopening next month.

As the economy continues to open back up and employers strive to keep their employees, customers, and communities safe from COVID-19, the State of Michigan has launched another round of funding for the Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grant Program.

As the economy continues to reopen, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) launched a new ‘Back to Work’ effort to highlight programs and services that help businesses and their current workforce needs.

View a conversation with Dykema’s John F. Hermon on what employers need to do to prepare for employees’ return to the office.

As the COVID-19 pandemic looks to be heading toward a close in much of the U.S., so too has a small business relief program set up in the early, chaotic days as a means of bolstering businesses faced with a sharp drop in revenue.

On Wednesday, June 2, the Michigan Senate passed their version of a package of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tax relief bills. The Detroit Regional Chamber helped introduce this bipartisan legislation in the Michigan House of Representatives and has advocated for its passage.

Employers can require their employees to get COVID-19 vaccines, according to new federal guidance issued Friday. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said federal equal employment opportunity laws don’t limit the incentives that employers can offer their employees to confirm their vaccination status.

Many Michigan restrictions on businesses and gatherings aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 will be lifted or relaxed starting June 1. View the updates on capacity limits, masking, workplace guidelines, and more.

Incentives for getting a COVID-19 vaccine are starting to feel like a dime a dozen: free beer or doughnuts, a free cruise or Super Bowl tickets, one year of free travel or the chance to win a million bucks through a lottery. Learn more about the tactics businesses are using.

Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan hosted a webinar to discuss the recently announced updates to Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) COVID-19 emergency rules and answer questions about the impact of these changes on the workplace. Watch the recording a view a recap.

Updates were announced today to MIOSHA COVID-19 emergency rules as many employers return to in-person work. Gov. Whitmer also announced an updated MDHHS COVID-19 Gatherings and Face Masks epidemic order, which is set to take effect on June 1. 

Michiganders can finally return to the office to work as of May 24. As companies start to make the transition of having employees come into the office, some businesses are making the transition slowly to make sure their workers feel safe.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued an updated Epidemic Order. The order left in most of the requirements addressing capacity and gathering restrictions, curfews for restaurants, and contact tracing requirements for certain businesses; however, it did update mask-wearing guidance to match the CDC updates.

Updated mask guidance further underscores that vaccines are the most effective and important way to ensure a sustainable and robust economic recovery for Michigan and the path for a full return to business operations. Learn more about these changes.

Matt Patton, director of government relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber, testified before the Michigan Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, May 12, to advocate for House Bill 4224 and 4225, which would allow a business to claim personal protective equipment (PPE) tax exemptions in response to the COVID-19. Patton had previously testified before the House in February.

Now that kids ages 12-15 can get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, here’s where you can go to get them immunized in Michigan. Keep in mind that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only type authorized so far for use in people younger than 18 in the United States, and a parent or guardian must be present when kids get their shots.

The Detroit Regional Chamber sent a letter to Michigan Sen. Jim Stamas (R-Midland) and Rep. Thomas Albert (R-Grattan Township) outlining a $400 million proposal for the 100K by Labor Day Back to Work Plan.

A COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech, is safe and effective enough to give to younger teens, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday in authorizing its use. The decision means adolescents ages 12 to 15 could qualify for shots as soon as Thursday, after the Wednesday meeting of an advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

At the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Employer Forum: Building Vaccine Confidence Within Your Workplace, regional health experts from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) discussed the COVID-19 vaccines, navigating employee conversations, and the new COVID-19 variants.

Michigan’s vaccination rates have shot up this weekend, getting the state closer to the benchmarks for reopening. As of Saturday, 54% of eligible Michiganders have gotten at least one dose of a COVID vaccine — higher than the 51.5% reported Friday.

Welcoming employees back into an in-person office environment in the pandemic era requires special considerations and on-site safety protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Review these protocols for health screenings, PPE use, workspace updates, and more.

Masks will generally not be required outdoors in Michigan and fully vaccinated people who are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms won’t have to wear masks at indoor residential gatherings under a new order from the state Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more.

Businesses in all sectors will be able to resume in-person work 14 days after reaching 55% of residents vaccinated. As that milestone quickly approaches, employers planning to bring employees back to the office should use this time to develop a return-to-office strategy including the COVID-19 vaccine.

Applications open May 3 for $28.6 billion in federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund direct relief being provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the American Rescue Plan. Learn more.

The State’s Return-to-Office Workgroup has provided Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with its recommendations for how employers can begin to plan for a safe, phased reopening of offices. The group has acted quickly to develop concise recommendations regarding policies, guidance, and best practices to help employers plan for a return to in-person office work.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased its guidelines Tuesday on the wearing of masks outdoors, saying fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to cover their faces anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers.

Michigan small business owners who received federal Paycheck Protection Program loans will in most cases be free of any state tax obligation on those loans, the Michigan Department of Treasury said in a memo this week.

Yesterday, President Biden announced a new paid leave tax credit that will offset the cost for small- and medium-sized businesses to provide full pay for any time their employees need to get a COVID-19 vaccination or recover from side effects.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has completed rigorous testing and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal will reopen on Saturday, April 24. Learn how to prepare your application.

Our partners at Detroit Means Business compiled key details about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) for businesses interested in applying. View three key items to consider to prepare to apply.

Michigan’s small business owners overwhelmingly feel their companies will survive, but general business conditions remain on shaky ground. That’s according to the results of a new survey done by New York City-based investment banking giant Goldman Sachs as part of its 10,000 Small Business Voices project, an advocacy initiative for small business-friendly policies.

More than 43,000 Michiganders living in underserved communities received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in a month-old pilot program coordinated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Protect Michigan Commission.

Experts are predicting the ongoing third surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths, and positive cases in Michigan could last another two weeks before leveling off as vaccinations take hold. This week, Michigan’s COVID-19 positivity rate dropped from a seven-day average of 17.9% on April 6 to 13.2% on April 18, lower than the December peak of 16%.

The Kresge Foundation today announced $1 million to bolster vaccine access and health equity through Detroit’s community health centers, community development organizations, and human service agencies. The foundation is also committing to an additional $1 million in vaccination support grants in Detroit in the coming weeks.

Michigan is extending for one month its current COVID-19 restrictions, which require mask-wearing, limited capacity at most businesses, 50% indoor dining, small private gatherings, and testing for youth athletics. The move comes after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state health officials repeatedly pleaded with Michiganders to get vaccines, wear masks and practice other safety measures in an effort to avoid further restrictions.

In addition to being one of the first manufacturers to pivot toward making personal protective equipment, Ford Motor Company has been a forerunner in implementing successful return-to-work safety protocols and on-site vaccination for employees. Dr. Francesca Litow, Ford’s medical director of global occupational health services, shared more about the company’s medical policies, programs, and procedures to #FinishStrong in the battle against COVID-19.

The Michigan Black Leadership Advisory Council is urging Black Michiganders to get the COVID-19 vaccine as cases and hospitalizations continue to surge across the state, especially in Black communities. Read the full statement.

State officials on Tuesday formally announced they had extended Michigan’s workplace restrictions for another six months, citing the virus surge in the state. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state officials say the extension does not mean businesses cannot have in-person work before October, adding that restrictions could be lifted when COVID-19 trends improve.

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s partners at the Lansing Regional Chamber created a comprehensive employer guide for communicating about and planning for the COVID-19 vaccination in the workplace. We’ve adapted that original guide for our Detroit Regional Chamber members and Southeast Michigan business community.

The state of Michigan plans to extend COVID-19 emergency business place rules that expire Wednesday, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday the extension does not mean six more months of prohibitions on in-office work.

Our state has become the crossroads of what we hope are the final throes of the coronavirus pandemic. But to get past it, we have to solve two problems: COVID-19 cases that are again raging out of control, and efficiently getting a substantial majority of our people vaccinated.

At a press conference in Lansing on Friday, April 9, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer outlined the ongoing challenges the state is facing with COVID-19, significant progress on the vaccine, and steps Michigan businesses and residents can take to try and reduce the spread.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday it’ll award Michigan $90,239,771 to build partnerships with community-based organizations to increase vaccine uptake, especially among underserved populations hard-hit by the virus. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer indicated Tuesday that Michigan may be able to lift most remaining COVID-19 business restrictions this summer if Michigan’s vaccination rate increases, but said the state may take additional action to stop the spread of the virus through school and club sports.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Monday eight new vaccination sites launching in city neighborhoods in an effort to ramp up vaccination efforts in Detroit amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in Michigan.

Anyone 16 years old or older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday in Michigan. Michigan residents interested and eligible can now choose where to receive their vaccines, whether through city or county vaccine sites, through their health provider, or at pharmacy chains.

Easter is the first major holiday people will be celebrating where some of their family and friends may be fully vaccinated. Under the current CDC guidelines, people who are fully vaccinated can gather indoors with other vaccinated people without masks and share a meal.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is rolling out its Shuttered Venues Operators Grant (SVOG) application on April 8. Learn more about the application process, rollout timeline, eligibility, and more.

The legislation will extend the deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program to May 31 from March 31, giving businesses two additional months to apply. The legislation also provides the Small Business Administration an additional 30 days to process loans, in a bid to address longer wait times after the government began more strictly screening applications to prevent fraud.

According to state law, some temporary expansions in unemployment eligibility and cost-sharing applicable to state unemployment claims are set to expire on March 31, 2021.

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer raised Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccination goal from 50,000 to 100,000 shots per day. The new goal is based on the state’s successful efforts to expand equitable and efficient vaccine administration by partnering with private and public organizations in communities across the state, and is made possible by continuous week-over-week increases in the number of vaccines allocated to the state of Michigan.

Pfizer is breaking ground this week on a new pharmaceutical production facility. The company will break ground on the new facility at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, according to a press release from Pfizer.

The COVID-19 vaccine from drug company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech vaccine is safe for and extremely effective in adolescents, according to a company-sponsored study released early Wednesday. In adolescents 12 to 15 years old, vaccination led to a higher protective antibody response than in adults and was seen to be 100% effective against symptomatic disease, the study of 2,260 adolescents found.

More COVID-19 vaccines are headed to Michigan as the state ranks No. 1 in the country with the highest number of COVID-19 cases per capita over the last seven days, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Monday that the city will open up vaccine eligibility to Detroiters age 16 and older — a week earlier than the state — as more younger people are contracting the coronavirus and being hospitalized. Also, the city is opening its Johnson & Johnson vaccination clinic at the Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, he said.

Michigan added 4,670 new COVID-19 cases and 22 deaths on Saturday and ended the week with 27,758 new cases. It’s the fifth weekly increase in a row and the highest weekly total since 28,072 were recorded Dec. 13-19.

Citing Detroit Regional Chamber’s COVID-19 Vaccine Business Perception Survey, learn how businesses plan to get back to work and how vaccinations will play a role.

The City of Detroit has significantly expanded vaccine eligibility once more to include anyone ages 18 or older living or working in Detroit whose job requires them to report to their regular work site, Mayor Mike Duggan announced Monday. The Mayor also said that any large employer able to line up at least 100 employees in advance can ask the Detroit Health Department to conduct on-site vaccinations, instead of having to travel to TCF.

Wayne State University has announced an initiative to help frontline workers get a break in the cost of education. The Frontliners Forward Scholarship will offer $4,000 dollars to essential frontline employees looking to secure a bachelor’s degree in any field. Learn more.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is launching a splash page for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal in anticipation of opening applications for the much-anticipated critical economic relief program on Thursday, April 8, 2021. Learn more in a webinar on March 30.

View a host of resources for getting your vaccine scheduled through local health departments, health care systems, retail pharmacies, and more.

New unemployment claims in Michigan continued their downward slide last week, a sign that the state’s economy is recovering as restrictions are loosened and warmer weather coaxes consumers out of their homes.

The Michigan Department of Treasury on Wednesday started mailing $793 checks to hospitality industry workers whose hours were cut or jobs were eliminated in late 2020 during a state-mandated shutdown of restaurants, casinos, and entertainment venues. Learn more.

March 8-12, 2021, was a pivotal week in the fight against COVID-19 with important news coming from Detroit, Lansing, and Washington. The Detroit Regional Chamber has been tracking the stories and providing analysis of what it means for Michigan businesses.

Michiganders can now begin registering for the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Ford Field in Detroit. The community vaccination site is set to officially open on March 24. Learn more about how to register.

President Joe Biden on Thursday night offered Americans a glimpse of hope that life would begin to return to normal this summer as he marked a year of U.S. shutdowns and death, ordering a further acceleration of the government’s efforts to end the coronavirus pandemic. In his first prime-time address to the country since his inauguration, the president directed states to make all U.S. adults eligible for vaccinations by May 1.

President Biden’s $1.9 trillion pandemic-aid package, the American Rescue Plan, will be signed into law Friday after being approved by Congress. The plan has many provisions that focus aid to state and local governments, small businesses, unemployed Americans, and sends stimulus checks to tens of millions of Americans. What does this bill mean for the broader economy and Michigan? The Chamber breaks down some highlights.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed two coronavirus relief supplemental bills into law but then line-item vetoed about $650 million from those two bills and put in question an additional $841 million for schools that are part of her veto of another bill that would have transferred the power to close schools to in-person learning from state to local authorities. Learn what that means for Michigan business.

The CDC’s guidance says those who have received a full course of COVID-19 vaccine may get together with other fully vaccinated individuals in small groups inside their homes without masks or physical distancing. They can visit with unvaccinated people from one other household who are at low risk for severe disease.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday said she hopes to begin bringing workers back into office spaces in the coming weeks, potentially ahead of the April 14 expiration of an emergency rule that banned in-office work where it was feasible to do the work from home. Read more.

The Senate passed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package on Saturday as Democrats rush to send out a fresh round of aid. The Democratic-held House aims to pass the bill on Tuesday and send it to President Joe Biden for his signature before a March 14 deadline to renew unemployment aid programs.

The Michigan House on Wednesday gave final legislative approvals to a $4.25 billion supplemental spending plan that ties nearly $1.2 billion in federal funding to measures that would limit the pandemic powers of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration.

MDHHS is moving forward with the vaccination of Michiganders age 50 and older with medical conditions or disabilities and caregiver family members and guardians who care for children with special health care needs. Beginning Monday, March 22, vaccine eligibility will again expand to include all Michiganders 50 and older. To date, more than 40% of Michiganders age 65 and older have been vaccinated.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced changes to the Michigan Health and Human Service Department orders on Tuesday, March 3, that relaxes restrictions on restaurants, bars, retail locations, and nursing home visitations. These changes come after a steady decline in COVID-19 cases, testing positivity rates, and hospitalizations over several months.

It is no secret that some industries, based on the sheer nature of their industries, have been impacted more than others. Our restaurant industry has fallen into this category and continues to face barriers to remaining in business. Our organizations support the concept of a graduated reopening of restaurants that is science based and data driven.

Dr. Stanley Samuel Jr., president of Michigan State University, and Dr. Randolph Rasch, dean and professor at the university’s College of Nursing, joined Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber, to share medical expertise and insights on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines currently being administered in Michigan.

A federal program that provides loans to businesses to help them stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic is undergoing some changes to allow more money to be directed at small businesses that need it most. Read more.

The 2020 elections delivered control of the key policy making functions to Democrats, putting President Biden and members of his party in a position to reshape the tax code.

Read a letter from the state’s top business leaders, including Detroit Regional Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah on proposed improvements to the vaccination eligibility process.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is decreasing the amount of COVID-19 vaccine distributed to hospital systems, a shift that will make local health departments the primary administrator of mass inoculations. Next week, state officials plan to decrease the percentage of COVID-19 vaccines allocated to hospitals from 40% to 30% of total doses, MDHHS spokeswoman Lynn Sutfin said.

AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine does more than prevent people from falling seriously ill — it appears to reduce transmission of the virus and offers strong protection for three months on just a single dose, researchers said Wednesday in an encouraging turn in the campaign to suppress the outbreak.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Grant joined the Detroit Regional Chamber to answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccines currently available – how they were developed, safety and efficacy, and more.

Mayor Mike Duggan announced Tuesday that restaurant employees, grocery store workers, security guards, and janitorial employees are among those now eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. The newly eligible workers also include employees in meatpacking and food and beverage service. There is no age requirement for the workers but they must live or work in the city.

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has completed system updates for the recently extended federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs. All remaining Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) claimants whose claims ended when CARES Act programs were interrupted in December can now either reopen, certify or apply for benefits available under the Continued Assistance Act (CAA). Claimants were notified by the UIA with information and instructions regarding the changes.

Michigan released the COVID-19 Safer Dining Plan, which includes a voluntary program that allows restaurants to work with a licensed HVAC contractor to improve air ventilation. Learn about the program as restaurants reopen Feb. 1.

Michigan’s weekly new jobless claims continue to fall as new infections of the deadly coronavirus continue to subside across the state. Last week, 16,679 in the state filed new unemployment claims, down from the revised up 21,830 for the week prior. However, last week’s figure remains at historic highs from before the COVID-19 outbreak last March.

Dr. Arnold Monto, professor of epidemiology and global public health at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health will share his expertise.

At least 611,045 Michigan residents have received the first dose of vaccine as of Sunday, Jan. 24, according to the state’s COVID-19 dashboard. The real number is likely larger because of reporting lags, especially for the program vaccinating long-term care residents and staff. By comparison, Michigan has 600,093 coronavirus cases diagnosed since the pandemic began in March. That includes 551,080 cases confirmed by a coronavirus test and another 49,013 probable cases based on symptoms and exposure.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed new members to the bipartisan Protect Michigan Commission. The appointees represent a diverse array of industries, professions, and backgrounds, including Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah. Housed within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the commission will help raise awareness of the safety and effectiveness of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, educate the people of this state, and help protect the health and safety of all Michigan residents.

The Michigan National Guard (MING) is expanding its COVID-19 response force for vaccination and testing efforts across the state. Almost 300 additional guard members are being deployed to support this mission. Beginning Sunday, Jan. 24, the MING began deploying three additional task forces in order to further assist the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Elizabeth Hertel as Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on Jan. 22. Hertel currently serves as the Senior Chief Deputy Director for Administration for MDHHS, where she oversees external relations and communications, finance and administration, legislative services, legal affairs, policy and planning, strategic integration, organizational services, workforce engagement, and community and faith engagement.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive announced bars and restaurants can reopen for indoor dining on Feb. 1. They will be subject to a 25% capacity limit and a 10 p.m. curfew. The updated order will remain in place until Feb. 21. View the complete update.

Now that a COVID-19 vaccine is a reality, and distribution and administration are underway, the Detroit Regional Chamber is calling on business leaders to provide input on their plans for educating and communicating with their workforce about the vaccine. Share your thoughts on vaccine rollout, timing, employee engagement, and more. Take the survey.

Michigan officials said Wednesday they received federal approval to redirect another 63,000 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses next week to health systems and health departments, a welcome development that vaccination providers have been clamoring for over the past week.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Tuesday announced the Michigan COVID Recovery Plan to grow Michigan’s economy and help end the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor’s plan includes a strong focus on vaccine distribution, economic recovery, schools, and more. View more details on this plan.

Businesses that require social gatherings for customers and have experienced disrupted operations due to COVID-19 epidemic orders now have even more time to make monthly or quarterly sales, use and withholding tax payments, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. Learn more.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that the state will lift the ban on indoor dining on Feb. 1. Restaurants and bars will be allowed to reopen dining rooms next month with limits on capacity, masking requirements, and a curfew, Gov. Whitmer said. The state’s new order allows noncontact indoor sports and fitness classes to resume starting Saturday.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted its State of American Business program this week, outlining where the economy stands and what needs to happen in the year ahead to ensure the nation’s business community’s recovery. Read more for a summary of the critical discussions.

A flood of new doses of coronavirus vaccines are headed to states, said Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. But just how many doses Michigan and other states will get will depend on two factors, Azar said: The size of the state’s senior citizen population and how efficiently each state is getting those doses into the arms of its people. Learn more.

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has started issuing $300 weekly Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) payments to an estimated 365,000 claimants on regular state unemployment insurance (UI) and Extended Benefit programs this weekend. After last month’s increase in unemployment claims, Michiganders could start seeing increased benefits this week. Learn more.

Detroit has 40,000 residents over 75 years old. The city expects to vaccinate 5,000 people per week over the next month. Duggan said he wants to ramp it up to 5,000 a day and aim to get vaccines to all adults who want them by April or May, but that all depends on availability.

LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced new guidance for schools today to keep students, staff and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic while providing the in-person instruction that is crucial to learning and development.

The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of Jan. 11 for new borrowers and certain existing borrowers. Learn more about the latest round of funding.

A group of governors including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Operation Warp Speed Chief Operating Officer General Gustave Perna requesting that the federal government distribute the millions of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses that are currently being held back by the Trump Administration. View the full letter.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) this week hosted a webinar sharing critical resources to support those in the restaurant business during the COVID-19 pandemic. View the session recording below to hear from the LEO Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety Sean Egan and Michigan Economic Development Corp. Chief Operating Officer Amanda Bright McClanahan. 

The city of Detroit plans Monday to start scheduling 20,000 COVID-19 vaccination appointments for senior citizens in a drive-up system at the downtown TCF Center. Mayor Mike Duggan and other officials laid out details Thursday on their strategy to disseminate thousands of vaccine doses to front-line workers, residents over 65 years old, and those in long-term care settings like nursing homes.

To help reach the state’s goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders over age 16 and bring a quicker end to the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) officials announced Jan. 6 that the state is moving to a new phase of vaccination on Monday, Jan. 11.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce outlined the latest updates on federal COVID-19 relief funding, especially for small businesses. Content Director Jeanette Mulvey spoke with U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley on what funding is available and what small businesses need to know now.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is distributing 3.5 million free masks as part of the state’s Mask Up, Mask Right campaign. Free KN95 masks provided by MDHHS will be distributed by community organizations, including local MDHSS offices, health departments, and Area Agency on Aging offices. Plus, view tips for proper mask usage.

President Trump has signed a $900 billion bill which contained the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (“Act”) that will provide some additional financing to businesses in need. Many small businesses that applied for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act have fully expended their PPP loans and need additional financial help to continue to survive the current economic conditions. Learn more about this next round of funding.

Watch Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah discuss priorities for 2021, including vaccinating the public and getting the coronavirus under control, in an interview on Flashpoint.

*DATASET UNDER REVISION* As of June 21, 2021, the number of all small businesses open decreased by 45.8% and total small business revenue decreased by 41.3% in the Region compared to January 2020.

Six days after Republicans and Democrats in both chambers in Congress and the Trump Administration reached a long-delayed compromise to provide extended COVID-19 relief to American families and businesses, President Trump last night finally signed this legislation into law. View the latest updates.

As part of an end-of-year pandemic relief package, Congress has passed several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and created a “Second Draw” PPP for small businesses who have exhausted their initial loan. Other changes impact eligibility for initial PPP loans, the loan forgiveness process, and the tax treatment of PPP loans.  

The Michigan House on Monday passed a $465 million supplemental spending bill that would push millions of COVID-focused dollars to small businesses, direct care workers, and testing and vaccination efforts. The bill, which includes $220 million to extend unemployment benefits to 26 weeks through March, will head next to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for her signature. Learn more.

The United States House of Representatives and Senate overwhelmingly passed a $900 billion-dollar COVID-19 relief bill late Monday, Dec. 21. The final legislation includes support for businesses, $600 direct payments to many Americans, support for schools, vaccines, and more.

View a statement from Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah regarding Congress passing a Coronavirus relief package Monday, Dec. 21.

View a statement fom Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah regarding updates to the Pause to Save Lives provided by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a press conference Friday, Dec. 28. Learn more about the latest changes.

Moderna Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine was cleared by U.S. regulators, the second vaccine to gain emergency authorization this month as a historic mass immunization effort ramps up across the country. The FDA’s decision to grant the authorization Friday for the shot’s use among adults means that two of the six vaccine candidates identified by Operation Warp Speed are now available to the public, a feat accomplished in less than one year. Shots from AstraZeneca Plc and Johnson & Johnson that have also received U.S. government support are expected to be submitted for review next year.

By pairing employment and direct supportive services, The Empowerment Plan truly embodies an ethos of purpose and hope. While the most visible impact is the EMPRW coat, for employees like DeAsia Taylor, the opportunity for meaningful work is transformational. DeAsia is a Seamstress at The Empowerment Plan, and she recently shared some of her experiences with the Detroit Regional Chamber. Learn more about her story.

The Detroit Regional Chamber released the findings from a new statewide poll of registered voters in Michigan that provides insight and data on how Michiganders have reacted to the ongoing dual public health and economic crises. The poll results show remarkable stability in how seriously Michiganders are taking the virus and how concerned they remain about the economic consequences of prolonged shutdowns. The Chamber commissioned Glengariff Group Inc. to complete a statewide general population poll of 600 registered Michigan voters that ran from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, 2020.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Dr. William Beecroft, medical director, behavioral health, and Julia Kyle, behavior health strategy and planning director, joined Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer for the Detroit Regional Chamber, for a discussion on coping with stress, change, and isolation through the holidays and into the winter months. 

Three semi-trucks loaded with the nation’s first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine rolled out of the parking lot of the Pfizer manufacturing plant early Sunday morning, met with cheering crowds of local residents who said they were proud of their hometown’s contribution to science, and helping to bring the end to the coronavirus pandemic.

Michigan’s small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus will be able to apply for grants of up to $15,000 through the Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative beginning at 9 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Learn more.

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans announced a new program to provide a one-time $500 cash bonus to food service workers and others impacted by COVID-19 public health orders that shut down or reduced services at many businesses.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-193 creating the bipartisan Protect Michigan Commission within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to help raise awareness of the safety and effectiveness of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, educate the people of this state, and help protect the health and safety of all Michigan residents.

Businesses that require social gatherings for customers and have experienced disrupted operations due to COVID-19 epidemic orders now have additional time to make their December sales, use, and withholding tax monthly payment, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. Learn more.

The Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccine Advisory Committee will hold a day-long open meeting to discuss whether or not to authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, the FDA will present its review of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine data to its independent panel of outside experts. Their official title is the “Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Monday announced an extension of the three-week Paused to Save Lives issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) by 12 days, with the regulations remaining in effect through Dec. 20. The Detroit Regional Chamber remains unequivocal in our position that federal, state, and local governments need to do more to support businesses during this time of unprecedented disruption.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has extended by 12 days the epidemic order that restricts indoor social gatherings and other group activities. The additional 12 days will allow the department to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on the spread of COVID-19 across Michigan. These measures are in effect through Dec. 20.

Michigan hospitals and health systems are urging the state to extend COVID-19 restrictions through the holiday season. In a joint statement released on Monday from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), on behalf of chief medical officers of Michigan hospitals and health systems, leaders say an extension is needed to see meaningful change.

The U.S. labor-market rebound markedly slowed in November, indicating the surge in COVID-19 cases is hitting workers and curbing the broader economic recovery. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 245,000 from the prior month, as the unemployment rate dipped 0.2 percentage point to 6.7%, according to a Labor Department report Friday. The data also showed a worrisome decline in Americans participating in the labor force, as more people left jobs and the workforce altogether.

Oakland County officials announced a $10 million program to support restaurants struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aid categories will include general operational assistance, help to adapt facilities for outside service, and assistance to reopen safely, Oakland County Executive David Coulter said.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network, Priority Health and Total Health Care are among a growing number of insurers waiving cost sharing for the next four months, including co-pays, deductibles or coinsurance, for inpatient, outpatient, laboratory testing, ER visits, ambulatory services and medications and vaccines associated with the virus.

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan COVID-19 Task Force on Racial Disparities, chaired by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, released an interim report detailing the significant progress Michigan has made in protecting communities of color from the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Robert Redfield provided business leaders with updates on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic during a virtual event with the President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Suzanne Clark. As Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Redfield shared new information on the importance of wearing a mask, distributing a vaccine, and what businesses can do to prepare for the next few months.

The state of Michigan has identified 48 hospitals and 12 local health departments that will receive the first shipment of coronavirus vaccines for distribution to frontline health care workers, possibly as early as Dec. 15. All major health systems will receive the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines once the FDA gives emergency use authorization and the CDC authorizes which frontline health care workers and nursing home residents will be inoculated in the first wave.

Michigan lawmakers are part of a bipartisan group taking a last-minute shot at compromise on a $908B COVID-19 relief package, as millions of Americans face the prospects of their temporary benefits expiring later this month.

As clinical trials continue for the COVID-19 vaccine, Operation Warp Speed (OWS) is working to develop methods of delivering the vaccine to more than 300 million Americans. Marion Whicker, who normally serves as an executive director with the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) – is on loan to Operation Warp Speed where she is applying her expertise in moving military machinery to delivering COVID-19 vaccines across the nation.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan appeared on CBS’s “Face the Nation” to discuss the roll-out of a COVID-19 vaccine in Detroit to a national audience. Duggan discussed hopes to vaccinate 5,000 Detroiters per day in 2021. Read more and watch the full interview.

Lame duck will be a critical time for COVID-19 relief. Read more on why measures like PPE tax exemptions for employers and legislation to support job creation are important to supporting businesses through the pandemic.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is calling for a $100 million state-level economic stimulus to provide “direct financial support” to struggling small businesses and families, a boost in unemployment benefits, and more state aid to hospitals and nursing homes for their COVID-19 pandemic costs.

Ford Motor Co. has ordered a dozen ultra-cold freezers to store vaccines globally when they become available in an effort to keep COVID-19 from disrupting its operations again. This is in an effort to make the vaccine, when ready, available to its employees on a voluntary basis.

Sean Egan, Michigan’s director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety, joined the Chamber to discuss why it is imperative that employers implement COVID-19 mitigation strategies and promote remote work to alleviate potential outbreaks in the workplace, especially amid the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) three-week pause to save lives.

The outlook continues to be clouded by COVID-19 but a team of University of Michigan economists sees encouraging signs that could bring economic life close to normal by the end of 2021. Much, though, will depend on how readily a vaccine becomes available by next summer. The annual U.S. Economic Outlook, released Thursday morning, indicated that the real gross domestic product is expected to rise by 4.2% in 2021.

With the election of 2020 seemingly in the rearview mirror, the focus has now shifted to President-elect Biden’s plans for an economic recovery. An area of interest for our region and state is Biden’s plan for immigration policy. Though immigration policy was traditionally determined by Congress, it has shifted in the past 10 years to be a prerogative of the President, with President Obama creating the DACA program and President Trump drastically overturning many of the executive actions taken. Learn more about what to expect from immigration experts at Miller Canfield.

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.5% during October, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. This was the lowest jobless rate in the state since March. View the latest data.

The city of Detroit started a new enforcement push Wednesday as the state health department’s second-wave pandemic restrictions on businesses took effect. Members of the city health department, led by Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair, will be making unannounced stops at businesses and able to write tickets for fines of up to $1,000 for offenses that violate the statewide orders that went into effect Wednesday.

View guidance from the CDC on how to safely celebrate Thanksgiving as COVID-19 surges across the state.

Businesses across the state can now schedule free COVID-19 safety consultations as a part of the new Ambassador program partnership with NSF International and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). Ambassadors are conducting outreach to statewide businesses to offer education and support to implement regulations on workplace safety.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was among a group of Midwest governors in a video message encouraged everyone across the region to remain safe heading into the holiday season.

Michelle L. Kolkmeyer of Bodman’s Workplace Law Group offered insight on whether mandating employees take a COVID-19 vaccine is possible and offered advice to employers. Kolkmeyer engaged in a one-on-one discussion with Brad Williams, vice president of government relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Returning back to unemployment? Read guidance from the UIA on how to reopen a previous claim and get signed up for benefits quickly and effectively.

Learn more about the new Henry Ford @ Work offering to help businesses manage team members who need COVID-19 assessment and follow-up.

Read a statement from the Chamber on the latest COVID-19 regulations.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a new emergency order today that enacts a three-week pause targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities in an effort to curb rapidly rising COVID-19 infection rates.

Statewide hospital executives, including Detroit Regional Chamber Board of Directors members John Fox, CEO of Beaumont Health, and Wright L. Lassiter III, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System, gathered to issue important warnings to residents as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to surge. View a summary of the conversation in Crain’s Detroit Business.

MIOSHA will conduct inspections at workplaces with traditional office settings to review how rules are being followed and enhance compliance. Learn more about the rules businesses should be following and resources to ensure the safest possible working conditions for employees and customers.

Key metrics like case numbers, deaths, hospitalizations, and increasing positivity rates are pointing to the escalating condition of COVID-19 across the state. See the latest numbers in these categories and what they all mean.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has been awarded a $3.33 million Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to support the continued reopening of Michigan’s economy and to mitigate workforce disruptions related to the ongoing pandemic.

As part of the state’s continued efforts to slow the increasing spread of COVID-19, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) today announced the statewide rollout of the COVID-19 exposure notification app MI COVID Alert.

As COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to rise across the state, all eyes are on businesses to crack down on COVID-19-related safety practices. Despite pervasive caution fatigue as the state is more than seven months into the pandemic, it is more important than ever to adhere to safety protocols in the workplace. Updates are expected this week regarding increased monitoring and enforcement of safety protocols in Michigan businesses.

Pfizer says an early peek at its vaccine data suggests the shots may be 90% effective at preventing COVID-19, indicating the company is on track later this month to file an emergency use application with U.S. regulators. Plus, learn more about requiring vaccines in the workplace during a Town Hall session on Nov. 17 at 11 a.m.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Thursday signed the following bills into law that are among the Legislature’s new coronavirus legislation. Learn more about the latest updates.

In an unprecedented election season, Michiganders’ commitment to the democratic process held strong despite the global COVID-19 pandemic. Options for absentee voting, early in-person voting, and the ability to register to vote in person on election day contributed to record-setting voter turnout across the state.

Watch a report from Click on Detroit to learn how to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to people you live with.

If you are voting in person for election day, follow these best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19.

In response to Michigan’s recent increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has extended the state’s emergency orders and implemented new safety guidelines related to indoor gatherings. Get the details on this latest update.

Several new grant programs on the state and local levels were recently announced to support organizations as they continue to endure challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about the latest programs to support workplace safety, teachers and support staff, and Wayne County-based nonprofit organizations.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday the COVID-19 spread the state is experiencing is “very concerning” and people should be “smart” in the coming days, which will bring Halloween and a football game between Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.

As the U.S. Small Business Administration continues working with lenders nationwide on the Paycheck Protection Program and processing PPP loan forgiveness, the SBA Michigan District shares five PPP loan forgiveness tips small business owners should know.

Wayne County nonprofits and organizations that have stepped up for their local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic will now have access to relief grants under a program proposed by Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. Local organizations can apply for a one-time grant of up to $25,000 through Nov. 9.

A host of health care and public health leaders gathered for a virtual roundtable to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and share lessons learned from the onset of the virus that are informing management of the latest surge.

In case you missed it, Sean Egan, Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director, hosted a live MIOSHA Emergency Rules Q & A to answer your most pressing questions about workplace safety amid the pandemic and changing guidelines and regulations.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks announced that eligible Michigan teachers and support staff who worked additional time and incurred additional costs during the 2019-2020 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic can receive a grant through two new grant programs.

A roundtable of health experts led by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ director Robert Gordon and chief medical executive and deputy director for health, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, addressed the current rise in COVID-19 across Michigan and the key trends and obstacles emerging in its wake.

Chamber member Comcast announced today plans to establish its first 12 Wi-Fi-connected “Lift Zones” in Detroit by year-end.  Lift Zones are robust Wi-Fi hotspots in safe spaces designed to help students get online, participate in distance learning, and do their homework.

Employers across Michigan are better prepared to protect employees this week as more than $8 million in grant funds are being awarded from the COVID-19 Safety Grant Program. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) launched the program earlier this year as employers worked to implement new safety protocols and procedures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we venture into fall and with COVID-19 cases on the rise, taking the necessary precautions to slow the spread of the virus is essential to continuing the region and state’s progress toward recovery. The evidence is convincing. The most effective tool we all have to create the conditions for businesses to remain open is to wear a mask every time we are in public – especially when indoors. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Thursday signed into law legal protections for Michigan businesses and other employers from pandemic-related lawsuits despite having followed all safety protocols and regulations. The Chamber has played a key role in advancing these business protections through the coronavirus crisis.

A coalition of 32 health care, labor, higher education, and business executives, including the Chamber’s President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah, called on Michigan political leaders to cease litigation over public health orders aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 as cases and hospitalizations are on the rise across the state.

The Detroit Regional Chamber joined 14 statewide business organizations in signing a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, and Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey encouraging bipartisan collaboration to ensure businesses can continue to operate safely through this public health and economic crisis.

In an effort to support safe operations for small businesses amid the COVID-19 crisis, Detroit Means Business will provide small businesses with two to 50 employees with PPE kits Oct. 26-29. Register today to secure a pick-up time.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Tuesday signed Senate Bills 886 and 991 codifying part of her executive orders expanding unemployment benefits to Michiganders from 20 to 26 weeks.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed emergency rules to clarify workers’ compensation coverage for health care employees and first responders who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The U.S. Small Business Administration released a simplified loan forgiveness application Thursday for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to the more than 100,000 small businesses here in Michigan that have received PPP loans to date.

The Comcast RISE program offers grants, marketing, and technology upgrades, including media campaigns and connectivity, computer and voice equipment, as well as free marketing insights to small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19. The program will support Black-owned businesses, which have been particularly impacted by the pandemic.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Wednesday approved a comprehensive set of Emergency Rules from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) to clarify for employers safety requirements to protect their employees from COVID-19.

Updated legislation on business liability, unemployment benefits, nursing homes, and virtual meetings are headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for signature following Tuesday’s House session. These bills are in response to the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling eliminating the Governor’s emergency powers in response to COVID-19.

As impacts of the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision regarding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency powers continue to unfold, the state legislature is holding session today to address a number of issues tied to now-nullified executive orders related to COVID-19. Today’s session is a pivotal moment in light of the court’s decisions and the upcoming election.

Amid uncertainty following the state’s Supreme Court ruling on Gov. Whitmer’s emergency powers, localities and other agencies have implemented regulations of their own to provide continuity of safety practices that may be jeopardized by the court’s decision. Last week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) expanded rules it had announced earlier in the week, and the City of Detroit issued new orders to keep citizens safe and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

Employers must continue to comply with current workforce safety guidance published by MIOSHA. Its enforcement related to COVID-19 is not impacted by the recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling that deemed the Governor exceeded her authority in extending states of emergency declarations after April 30. Learn more.

Amid confusion following the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision that Gov. Whitmer exceeded her authority in extending the state of emergency orders beyond April 30 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller Canfield experts Tom Appleman, Nhan Ho, and Kamil Robakiewicz addressed how employers need to proceed in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and how the ruling impacts safety requirements and liability.

New state data reveals that Michigan’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have tripled in the past three weeks. Further, emergency rooms have seen a 47% in COVID-19-related visits in the same period. This increase follows the seven-day rolling average of new cases reaching 879, its highest level since the end of April when it was 919. This upswing raises concerns, especially as flu season gets underway.

The Detroit Economic Growth Corp. is providing $7.25 million in grants to Detroit small businesses. Up to 900 businesses will receive this funding to support their operations in light of challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon issued an Emergency Order under MCL 333.2253 restricting gathering sizes, requiring face coverings in public spaces and places limitations on bars and other venues.

Get the latest updates on the Supreme Court rulings on Gov. Whitmer’s emergency powers and what they mean for the state’s businesses and reopening process.

Representatives from Lockton Companies provided an update on the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act of 2020 and offered recommendations for tracking and recording expenses that are unique to COVID-19. Learn more about business interruption coverage, how it works, the process of filing a claim, and if adding a new policy can offer any relief for your company.

At the beginning of 2020, approximately 16.9 million light vehicle units were anticipated to be sold in the United States for the year. In January 2022, the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) is 15.0 million light vehicle units according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the State of Emergency until Oct. 27, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Executive Order 2020-186 will allow the state to continue to mobilize resources and take the reasonable and necessary steps to protect Michiganders and their families. The governor also extended four executive orders to protect Michigan families and our most vulnerable populations.

The Detroit Regional Chamber has been tracking the economic impact of Michigan’s COVID-19-related shutdowns, and its phased reopenings. The graphics below show a snapshot of the overall health of the economy, half a year into the pandemic.

In April 2020, light vehicles sales in the United States amounted to the lowest total since early 2010, selling 717,578 units. Since the reopening of manufacturing and businesses, vehicle sales have seen a dramatic increase. In November 2021 with 1.0 million light weight vehicles sold.

In November 2021, total production increased to 1,174,491. Total production dramatically decreased to 4,840 in April 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions forcing manufacturing facilities and plants to cease nonessential production or shutdown.

1 p.m. | Participants will come away with an understanding of steps they can take now to better prepare themselves for when a cyber breach happens to them.

This session focussed on the top 10 cyber and privacy risks and topics that will shape the business landscape for 2021 and beyond.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist recently shared new data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) depicting progress in reducing the disparate impact COVID-19 has had on communities of color. Learn about the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, Rapid Response Grant program, and the work ahead to continue protecting these vulnerable communities.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-183 reopening movie theaters and performance venues beginning Oct. 9. This includes previously closed businesses like indoor theaters, cinemas, performance venues, arcades, bingo halls, bowling centers, indoor climbing facilities, trampoline parks, and more. Additionally, changes were made to mask requirements in schools.

The Michigan House this week passed a Chamber-backed package of bills designed to protect employers from COVID-19 related lawsuits. Learn more about the progress of this business-focused legislation.

Because the stakes can be high, it is important for PPP loan borrowers to prepare for and defend themselves such audits, investigations, and litigation. Miller Canfield’s PPP Loan Audit Team advised PPP Loan borrowers on what to expect and how to prepare for this process.

Michigan is among states like Massachusettes and New York pursuing legislation that would provide COVID-19-related tax relief to businesses. The Detroit Regional Chamber’s government relations team has been at the helm of this effort, advocating for a bill package that would provide sales and use tax exemptions on PPE purchases, among other support. See what the Chamber’s Matt Patton had to say in Bloomberg.

Recent measures on legal immigration including presidential proclamations are impacting many U.S. businesses. Rami Fakhoury, managing director of Fakhoury Global Immigration, provided insight on how these recent developments are affecting the ability of U.S. businesses to meet their talent mobility objectives.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed Sept. 20-26, 2020 as Michigan Small Business Week to recognize the thousands of small businesses across the state that keep Michigan’s economy strong and our communities united.  

Hear from a panel of experts about the federal government’s efforts to support small businesses on the verge of closing because of COVID-19. This program was hosted by The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution.

The Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund, a $2.5 million grant awarded to the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) by the Michigan Department of Treasury, will support the restaurant and lodging workers most affected by COVID-19. Employees can apply for support by Oct. 1.

Learn the latest on Michigan’s role and progress in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) announced that the state has secured agreements from nearly all of the state’s health insurers to waive all out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing and treatments through the end of 2020, including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.

The City of Detroit will be moving its COVID-19 testing site at the former Michigan State Fairgrounds to the Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center in Detroit’s Virginia Park neighborhood.

Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah recently joined the OECD COVID-19 and the Future of Regional Development webinar series to discuss opportunities for regions and cities in automotive value chains. View his presentation

President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum directing the U.S. Department of Treasury to defer the 6.2% tax employees pay toward Social Security from Sept. 1 until Dec. 31, 2020. Michelle L. Kolkmeyer of Bodman’s Workplace Law Group joined Matt Patton, director of Government Relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber, to offer insight on whether implementing this “deferral,” makes sense for your business.

New data indicates that completing and pending home sales are increasing as the market continues rebounding from lows experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the latest data and projections.

In a conversation with statewide stakeholders, Jeff Donofrio, director of Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), provided key updates on the state’s employment and COVID-19 response.

Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah was the featured speaker of Michigan Business Network’s Speaker Series hosted by Chris Holman. During the virtual conversation, Baruah discussed the extensive work the Chamber has done – and continues to do – to support the Detroit region through the COVID-19 crisis.

Join the Grand Rapids Chamber for a virtual conversation on the child care challenges COVID-19 has posed to employees, employers, businesses, Monday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. Detroit Regional Chamber Government Relations Director Matt Patton will join the program to share the Chamber’s exclusive survey data about the productivity impacts evolving child care demands have on the workplace.

Mark S. Lee president and CEO, The LEE Group MI LLC, will discussed the need for more businesses to become advocates for diversity and inclusion which can ultimately impact racial justice and achieving greater equity.

The federal government outlined a sweeping plan Wednesday to make vaccines for COVID-19 available for free to all Americans, even as polls show a strong undercurrent of skepticism rippling across the land.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s CO— Blueprint series recently hosted a session on how businesses can rebuild their brands to stay engaged with evolving audiences. Catch the full conversation in the video and recap below.

Detroit Regional Chamber Government Relations Director Matt Patton testified before the Michigan House Tax Committee to back a package of bills that would exempt purchases of PPE from the sales and use taxes and provide a refundable income tax credit to employers who submit their COVID-19 safety plans at the time of tax filing. 

Watch a Q&A with Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan on new gym and fitness safety practices.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is spending $5 million of federal CARES Act funds on a new statewide advertising campaign promoting the use of wearing masks to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Henry Ford Health System infectious disease specialist Dr. Allison Weinmann spoke with the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Sandy K. Baruah about progress on the clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine and the importance of getting vaccinated for the flu as fall approaches.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today launched the nation’s first program offering tuition-free college to an estimated 625,000 Michiganders who provided essential, frontline services during COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe orders from April to June of 2020. Read the statement from Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah.

A coalition of health care and business leaders recently launched the Rona 4 Real campaign to spread awareness of the seriousness of COVID-19, especially among Michigan’s young adults, ages 18-29. Learn more about the businesses supporting its mission.

Most Michigan high school sports are getting a late start this fall, and now a new executive order will make sure you see sports like you’ve never seen before.

The State of Michigan is now reporting on its site the number of COVID-19 outbreaks that local health departments report to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services every week. The state defines outbreaks as “two or more cases with a link by place and time indicating a shared exposure outside of a household.”

In an effort to protect health and safety, the Michigan Department of Treasury reminds taxpayers and tax professionals that the use of digital signatures is allowed on forms, even those forms that cannot be filed electronically.

A majority of Michigan voters said it is safer for children to go to school online instead of in-person amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, according to a new Detroit News-WDIV poll.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Thursday signed Executive Orders 2020-176 and 2020-175 reopening Michigan gyms and pools and allowing for organized sports practices and competitions to resume as well as outlining strict workplace safety measures for these venues respectively. Read the Chamber’s response.

Huntington Bank and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a $5 billion, five-year lending, investment, and philanthropic commitment to help improve financial opportunities for Michigan businesses, consumers, and communities. 

Tom Kelly, president and CEO of Automation Alley, spoke with MICHauto’s Glenn Stevens Jr. and the Chamber’s Devon O’Reilly about what Michigan companies will need to do to utilize technologies like artificial intelligence to survive, compete, and thrive into the future.

Northeast Integrated Health opened a Psychiatric Urgent Care Clinic and shifted to telehealth services with the intent to offer accessible alternatives for patients.

Businesses that take reasonable steps to follow public health guidelines should be protected against COVID-19 liabilities.

The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division published new frequently asked questions for workers and employers about qualifying for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) related to the reopening of schools for the new semester.

The City of Detroit will host a Memorial Drive around Belle Isle to honor many of the Detroiters we have lost to COVID-19 this year. On Sunday, the City of Detroit also hosted intimate events in the City’s seven districts on the eve of the memorial, to salute front-line workers from across Detroit. 

Yesterday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 172 to clarify requirements for when a worker has the principal symptoms of COVID-19.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency-use authorization to Abbott Laboratories ABT 0.70% for a $5 rapid-response COVID-19 antigen test that is roughly the size of a credit card.

Bill Emerson, the interim CEO of Bedrock Detroit spoke with Sandy K. Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber to discuss the ongoing support Bedrock is providing small businesses in downtown Detroit throughout the ongoing pandemic.

Moody’s Analytics and CNN compiled a study tracking America’s recovery. The study shows that Michigan’s economy, ahead of many of our peer states, is operating at 87% of where it was in early March. This outpaces the nation, which is operating at 78% of where it was in early March.

Gov. Whitmer welcomed a $1.2 million donation from IKEA Retail U.S. that will go to Michigan’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative. The donation is the largest donation to the fund to date and will help support Michigan’s ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts and other critical services.  

Monday’s rare August Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) in Lansing left Michigan facing a much smaller, yet significant budget gap than originally predicted in May.

Mark S. Lee, president and CEO of The LEE Group, MI LLC, discussed with the Detroit Regional Chamber the state of the city’s small businesses amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, including how businesses are managing throughout the crisis and the resources they need to survive.

A recent survey by Comerica Inc. revealed that Michigan is seeing greater economic impact than other states across the country. Though recovery is on the horizon starting through Q3, it will take several years to get back to pre-pandemic GDP levels.

JS Clark Agency’s Compliance Director, Jennifer Young, provided context and clarification on the latest COVID-19 legislative and regulatory updates that impact employee benefits.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) approved the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency’s application for federal funding assistance that would provide an additional $300 per week payment to Michiganders receiving unemployment benefits.

Chad Newton, CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority, spoke with Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MICHauto and vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber to provide an update on what travelers can expect when moving through Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) this summer and fall amid the global pandemic.

The Detroit Regional Chamber, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Chamber, Michigan Chamber, and Small Business Association of Michigan, are working together to help find a safe pathway for businesses that remain closed, to safely reopen.

With no in-person state mandate, online learning is the most common offering for higher education and K-12 school districts across the state as they create plans that offer some form of virtual learning, if not online-only. Read a summary of higher education and K-12 plans from the Southeast Michigan region.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced that $65 million in CARES Act funding will be allocated to school districts, higher education institutions, and other education entities that have been impacted most by COVID-19. The funding, coming from the Governor’s Education Emergency Relief Fund (GEER), will be directed to the states economically disadvantaged districts to address issues like the technological barriers to remote learning faced by students and educators in the community. 

Plunkett Cooney attorneys discussed what businesses need to know about how commercial real estate and business operations will continue to change. The rapid-fire discussion covered topics from financial considerations to landlord or tenant issues to workforce management concerns related to COVID-19.

Educators, administrators, students, and parents are embarking on a school year more complex than any before. COVID-19’s impact on the education sector is undeniable and will transform education into the future. To discuss plans and considerations for the upcoming year in K-12 education, Bridge hosted a conversation with Delsa Chapman, deputy superintended of the Lansing School District, and Steve Matthews, superintendent of schools for the Novi Community School district.

Yesterday, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) submitted an application to the United States Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for funding that would provide an additional $300 per week payment to Michiganders receiving unemployment benefits

Skidmore Studio launched a fresh food distribution business called MichiganFields.com during the coronavirus shutdowns this spring.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today signed a bipartisan Return to Learn bill package, which she and legislative leaders agreed on last week. This package allows for flexibility on instructional requirements for the upcoming school year. Further, the deal offers districts financial stability by using last school year’s pupil count to determine funding levels for the 2020-21 year. 

Gov. Whitmer today announced the MI Mask Aid program, a partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Ford Motor Company, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to provide 4 million free masks to Michigan residents most vulnerable to COVID-19. 

Last week, Michigan’s new unemployment filings were the lowest reported since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, national weekly unemployment claims dropped below 1 million for the first time since the pandemic’s onset.

The future of work is unfolding more quickly and in more complex ways than ever before. Steelcase Inc. President and CEO Jim Keane shares his insight on what work will look like, whether from home or the office.

Software solutions for workplace thermal scanning, contact tracing and touchless printing available to the public to help boost workplace safety in the COVID-19 era

This week, U.S. Census workers will begin door-to-door follow up to homes that have not completed the census by mail, phone, or online. All three options will still be available once door-to-door census taking begins.

Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-166 that reinstates protections for employees in the State of Michigan.  Under the Order, the governor prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or retaliating against employees who make the responsible choice to stay home when they or their close contacts are sick. 

With talks on additional COVID-19 federal stimulus funds stalling last week in Congress, President Trump issued several executive orders on Saturday designed to give some relief to Americans struggling during the pandemic.

U.S. Chamber to Lead Digital Days of Action Monday, Aug. 10 and Tuesday, Aug. 11

MICHauto recently partnered with Dykema and The Right Place to survey automotive industry businesses and professionals to better understand the challenges they are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey results linked below analyze these responses and discuss the impact of COVID-19 on automotive operations and revenues framed by the outlook for the U.S. economy and automotive industry moving forward.

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new executive order that extends the governor’s emergency and disaster declaration until September 4, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. 

Minority-owned small businesses have been hit harder by the pandemic and corresponding economic crisis, according to a new special report released today by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife.

Maureen Francis, president of Michigan Realtors and associate broker for Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel, spoke with the Chamber’s Brad Williams about how the real estate industry and processes are evolving amid COVID-19, and what these changes mean for buyers and sellers.

The Detroit Regional Chamber, in partnership with CO— by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, highlighted how small businesses are successfully transforming the challenges presented by COVID-19 into opportunities.

Under Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Orders from last week, Detroit casinos will be allowed to open on Wednesday, Aug. 5, but their occupancy will be limited to 15% capacity.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and governors from five other states today announced a bipartisan interstate compact to expand the use of antigen testing and secure three million tests to be distributed among the participating states.

Life Remodeled has been working with partners to address the business community needs and have shifted resources within their company to react to the apparent needs during the pandemic. Below we highlight the innovative and strategic approaches they have taken throughout this time.

The U.S. Chamber released the results of their “July 2020 Small Business Coronavirus Impact Poll” that shows small businesses see grounds for cautious optimism but many are preparing for a coronavirus resurgence. This poll was conducted in partnership with MetLife. 

Wacker Chemical Corporation is committed not only to implementing safe practices in the workplace but also encouraging such practices with employees off-site and pivoting operations to better serve the community. See how the team’s commitment to the #MaskUpMichigan pledge supports those efforts. 

With our country in the midst of a recession like nothing we have seen before because of COVID-19, advocates for meaningful immigration reform are a raising key question that strikes at the heart of the effectiveness of our federal government at this point in time.

After a temporary 16-week closure, The Henry Ford is now welcoming back its members, friends, and fans to Greenfield Village this summer. Patricia Mooradian, president and CEO of The Henry Ford, spoke with Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah to outline what is being done to welcome back visitors safely, the timeline for reopening its attractions, and how it is preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

A new digital hub offers online learning opportunities and other training resources for Michigan residents looking to return to work or learn new skills.

Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health for the State of Michigan provided an update on the public health response to stop the spread of COVID-19 including the effectiveness of contact tracing.

Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has awarded $51,816 in its eighth round of COVID-19 Response Grants to seven organizations in Michigan. These grants help Michigan high schools, Local College Access Networks, community-based nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions support emergent postsecondary projects and programs in their communities. Learn more about the grants and their recipients.

The Ghafari team is going all-in to ensure its employees are informed and equipped to participate in health and safety practices, including masking up, as part of its reopening plan. Learn more about why they’ve committed to the #MaskUpMichigan pledge and how the team is making compliance as accessible as possible for its employees. 

 Henry Ford Health System is the only hospital system in Michigan chosen as a Phase 3 trial site for the Moderna mRNA-1273 Coronavirus Efficacy (COVE) vaccine study, the National Institutes of Health announced Monday.

Doerken’s commitment to the #MaskUpMichigan pledge is a cornerstone of its reopening process to keep employees and clients safe. Beyond masking up in their facilities, the Doerken team is also encouraging face-covering practices outside of the workplace to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep its team members safe and facilities open. Learn more.

Today, during the State of Michigan’s COVID-19 briefing, Gov. Whitmer invited Chamber president and CEO Sandy K. Baruah to join her to stress the need for state and local government aid out of the next federal stimulus package.

The Henry Ford is embarking on the reopening of its attractions with the health and safety of its staff and guests top of mind. As part of these efforts, they’ve signed the #MaskUpMichigan pledge to commit to the use of face coverings by all employees and visitors to keep their doors open. The team shared why this cause is so important to them.

Tune in on Tuesday, July 28 at 2 p.m.

The COVID-19 crisis and the rise in awareness of racial justice are reshaping our communities. Dr. Ken L. Harris, national president and CEO of the National Business League Inc. joined the Chamber to discuss efforts to address racial injustice and achieve economic equity.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase mental health issues nationally, addressing the needs of employees dealing with these challenges is critical to business restart and recovery. Hear strategies and best practices from health care and wellness experts to support employees.

Pilot program launches for certain patients near Ann Arbor; many others are eligible for a new remote monitoring program funded by COVID-19 grant

Learn the latest happenings in Lansing including agreement around patching the state’s budget hole for the current fiscal year and introduction of a Chamber-backed PPE tax relief bill package.

As businesses feel the costs of COVID-19 mitigation, the Detroit Regional Chamber is advocating for much-needed relief to ease the overall burden on employers, whose safety plans are one of our best defenses to slow the spread of the pandemic. To that end, a tax relief package has been introduced to the state Legislature.

The State of Michigan today announced the Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grant Program. The $8.55 million in grants will provide small businesses with financial support for health and safety equipment purchases or training to keep employees, customers, and communities safe from the spread of COVID-19. Applications close Aug. 7.

Chamber member, Fifth Third Bank, signed on and is requiring all staff and customers to wear masks or face coverings. David Girodat, regional president of Fifth Third Bank in Eastern Michigan, shared with the Chamber what precautions and measures his team has taken to ensure all employee and customer safety.

Reopening after COVID-19 comes with new challenges and costs to navigate for small businesses in every state.

Today, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing with some of the innovative biopharmaceutical companies leading the coronavirus vaccine race. The companies will discuss their research and development efforts, as well as their ongoing preparations to manufacture and distribute resulting solutions.

Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber and 14 other statewide business organizations called on Michigan’s Congressional Delegation to unify behind smart compromise Federal legislation to provide financial relief to Michigan, and other states, to address tax revenue loss due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Businesses may not assume that a customer without a mask cannot medically tolerate a face covering. The business can, however, accept the customer’s explanation if offered, according to a new executive order from the Governor today.

Michael McGee, the president and CEO of Miller Canfield shared how their workforce is staying safe amid COVID-19. 

How is Mackinac Island ensuring a safe travel experience for visitors during the COVID-19 global pandemic? Doug Dean, executive vice president of operations at Grand Hotel, and Tim Hygh, executive director of the Mackinac Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, shared what Island businesses have done to reopen and the precautions they have implemented to ensure safety.

Funding from the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will supports 250 workers in Detroit and Pittsburgh.

As Congress and the White House negotiate the next phase of the CARES Act, the Chamber is working with the Michigan Congressional delegation, U.S. Chamber, and other partners to highlight our priorities for the new package.

New Research from New American Economy shows that immigrants in Detroit play an outsize role in critical industries like Healthcare, Pharmacies, Groceries, and Restaurants.

Chamber member and partner, Grand Hotel, signed on. The Executive Vice President of Operations, Doug Dean, shared with the Chamber what precautions and measures the hotel has taken to ensure all employee and customer safety.

In response to the continued spread of COVID-19 across the state and nation, Michigan’s emergency and disaster declaration has been extended through Aug. 11 and the closure of the U.S.-Canada border to nonessential travel has been extended through Aug. 21. Learn more about these recent changes.

HELLA’s Head of Sales Excellence and Marketing, Ben Cohen, teamed up with the Chamber to share in a Q&A on why HELLA took the pledge and how they are supporting their employees and customers.

Today, the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. (DEGC) will open a new grant application that has $15.5 million available for Wayne County business owners, with $7.25 million to be granted within the City of Detroit borders.

Earlier this week, Oakland County launched the $32 million Oakland Together Small Business Recovery Grant fund.

With new requirements for masks to be worn in indoor public spaces, stock up and explore these Detroit area mask makers.

Researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor conducted a study of 154 patients — 74 who received the Tocilizumab treatment and 76 that did not. 

One of your employees was diagnosed as a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case. What should you do?

Coalition of Wayne State University, ACCESS, Ford Motor Co. and the Wayne State University Physician Group expands testing effort

The State Board of Canvassers approved a petition to repeal the law under which the Governor declared a state of emergency amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The petition approved this week is designed to allow citizens to initiate the repeal of the 1945 law in a fashion that makes it veto-proof by the Governor, forcing her to operate under the 1976 law with legislative oversight. So, what comes next?

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-147 to require the wearing of a face covering in all indoor public spaces as well as crowded public outdoor spaces. Further, this order requires businesses open to the public to refuse entry or service to patrons refusing to wear appropriate face coverings. The order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 13.

The Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $100 million grant program to support small businesses working on reopening having experienced loss of income due to COVID-19. These funds were allocated by the State of Michigan from federal CARES Act funding.

Yesterday, the SBA and Treasury Department released a list of businesses that received funds from the PPP. In total, 121,135 loans totaling nearly $16 billion were approved in Michigan as of the end of June, according to the SBA. This number underscores the immediate economic crisis due to the spread of COVID-19.

As COVID-19 cases increase in every region of the state, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stressed the importance of “masking up” to mitigate the spread and keep the state on track to reopen preK-12 schools to students in the fall.

As other states have experienced spikes in COVID-19 in recent days, they’ve nudged Michigan out of the top 10 states for cases of the virus, according to tracking by Johns Hopkins University.

Mary Culler, chief of staff, Office of the Executive Chairman; president, Ford Motor Company Fund; and director, Michigan Central Station Development, spoke with Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah in today’s Tele-Town Hall to update the business community on how Ford has pivoted its strategy in Corktown due to COVID-19.

What will it cost to keep students safe? What funding cuts are coming? Are snow days dead? The Governor’s “Return to Learn” Advisory Council is expected to drop its plan for reopening schools on June 30, which also marks the final day of the fiscal year for schools. Here’s what to consider.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has exposed serious faults in existing supply chains and has accelerated the notion of economic nationalism. The four truths that most supply chains are built upon are no longer true, thus setting the stage for supply chain’s new world order.

This session will give practical advice to help with recovery planning. Talent analytics, return-to-office surveys, scenario planning, and re-entry tactics are the keys to understanding who could remain at home long-term, what space will be needed, and how much re-entry may cost.

As a key leader in the region and a valued partner of the Chamber, BCBSM’s efforts toward promoting employee health and well-being was collected to serve as an educational resource for other regional businesses.

The Q2 2020 USG Corporation + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index, released today, reveals a drop in contractors’ confidence and outlook for their industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economic prediction is a dangerous profession, but when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says he’s “not even thinking about thinking about” raising interest rates you know he’s signaling something about the dire state of the economy.

As the state’s economy continues to reopen, businesses are faced with the challenge of safely welcoming employees back, establishing work-from-home protocols, or doing both.

Today, the Michigan House and Senate released a high-level overview of what their “Return to Learn” plan would look like, a week before Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Return to Learning Advisory Council is expected to release its own version.

Gov. Whitmer today signed an executive order closing indoor service at bars in lower Michigan in response to a statewide uptick in COVID-19 cases. The Governor also signed a bill package allowing for the sale of cocktails-to-go and expanded social districts.

Many states across the U.S. have been given the green light to fully reopen, with exceptions in Michigan, Illinois, and California, which have limited reopening. Small businesses are faced with the challenges of when, how, and if they will reopen.

The University of Michigan will launch its fall semester Aug. 31 with a blend of in-person and remote classes, an adjusted academic calendar, and an emphasis on the use of face coverings, social distancing and other public health measures.

The  Wayne County Back to Work: Small Business Readiness Grant will be funded through the county’s allotment from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. At least 5,000 county small businesses could receive grants of up to $10,000. Applications will be available on June 29-July 10.

The Michigan House of Representatives and Senate unanimously passed an $880.1 million supplemental spending bill of federal dollars for various COVID-19-related items.

As employers slowly transition employees back to the office and back to work onsite, the State of Michigan is working to provide businesses with workplace safety recommendations.

According to the SBA’s PPP report released on Friday, June 12, Michigan businesses received more than $15.7 billion through more than 115,000 PPP loans. In total banks distributed more than 4.5 million PPP loans totaling over $510 billion dollars across the United States.

Since mid-March over 2.9 million people in Michigan have filed unemployment insurance claims. Michigan’s monthly unemployment rate peaked in April at 22.7%, and has decreased 4.2 % in November 2021.

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addressed the State of Michigan to provide an update on the state’s COVID-19 cases and strategy for reopening.

The United States and Canada have agreed to extend their agreement to keep the border closed to non-essential travel through July 21.

Verizon and LISChave opened up a new round of funding to support small businesses that are faced with having to close their doors to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus. LISC will use the funds to provide grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure, especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses, and other enterprises that don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital in historically under-served communities. 

Last week, Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) announced it has launched rapid COVID-19 testing, together with CVS Health, at its downtown campus site.  Licensed health care providers from MinuteClinic, the retail medical clinic of CVS Health, and CVS Pharmacy colleagues will staff the testing operation.    

WW is offering Detroit Regional Chamber members access to “WW AT WORK” virtual workshops. Learn more.

Michigan has started to reopen the state in the past couple of weeks since COVID-19 cases have decreased and the curve has flattened. As businesses start to reopen there are key guidelines to keep employees and customers safe that will also help avoid a second wave. Start with the below resources as your business continues to return to a regular in-person schedule. 

Detroit Metropolitan Airport experienced a 1.1 million increase in total passengers in the month of October 2021 compared to the same month last year. While U.S. airports saw a 134% increase year-over-year in airport travelers in September 2021

Gov. Whitmer signed House Bill 5766 into law. This important update to Michigan’s Property Tax Appeal deadline for commercial industrial taxpayers is now extended one more month to Aug. 31. Previously, EO 2020-87 extended this deadline to July 31.

The session will focus on three strategic areas upon which companies must focus in order to move forward and thrive during these uncertain times including embracing digital transformation, developing an innovative learning culture, and planning for the unexpected.

The OI Economic Tracker is an interactive tool helping identify pandemic-related impacts among industries and communities by visualizing consumer spending, status on small businesses, and job postings across the nation at granular levels.

The restructuring and transformation experts at Plante Moran help leaders take a proactive approach to balancing priorities under uncertain outcomes that influence business strategy and the ability to recover while positioning for growth.

In order to support you in the race to embrace this “new normal,” UHY Consulting has developed a short webinar intended to provide you with meaningful information about what your company can do to reduce risk and protect your endpoints no matter where they are.

Like several other states, Michigan is considering easing liquor laws to allow patrons to take cocktails and alcoholic beverages throughout special social districts outside restaurants and bars. It’s all part of an effort to help restaurants and bars do business while adhering to reduced capacities and social distancing measures in place under the MI Safe Start Plan.

Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve Board expanded its Main Street Lending Program to allow more small and medium-sized businesses to be able to receive support.

The State of Michigan, in partnership with the Connected Nation Michigan, released a statewide Wi-Fi hotspot map today to assist residents who currently lack internet access at home.

Nearly 60% of Michigan parents say their ability to go to work would take a hit if schools don’t reopen in the fall, according to survey results released Monday.

Now that Michigan has transitioned into phase four of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan, what does this mean for businesses attempting to resume operations in a safe and secure way?

The Small Business Pulse Survey, a weekly experimental data product from the U.S. Census Bureau, has released the fifth week of results showing the effects of COVID-19 on national, state, and regional small businesses.

Michigan continues to reopen as hospitalizations reached an all-time low this week dropping 82% compared to the mid-April peak. Today, Gov. Whitmer announced that on Monday, June 15, personal services including hair, massages, and nails will reopen statewide.

Chamber Vice President of Government Relations Brad Williams spoke with Natalie Chmiko, vice president of Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and International Trade for MEDC in a Tele-Town Hall on the free PMBC COVID-19 Procurement Platform.

As Michigan moves into the next phase of the “MI Safe Start Plan” and more sectors of the economy begin to reopen, guidance on safely bringing employees back to the workplace is critical.

The Brookings Institution recently hosted a conversation about how to safely reopen the country – economically and in terms of public health. Experts emphasized the need for increased testing and tracing as well as health equity for a safe, successful reopen.

As the economy restart’s UHY’s team will help businesses with financial and operational strategies to ensure their business succeeds going forward. This discussion will include advice on liquidity planning, which is critical for moving through the reopening phase.

At the Detroit Regional Chamber, we believe that nothing would be more economically damaging than a second economic shutdown due to COVID-19.

With the Governor lifting the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order this week, Michigan is moving to Phase Four of the Michigan Safe Start Plan.  What does it all mean?

Today, the Governor announced that she will rescind the “Safer at Home” Executive Order, moving the state into phase four of the MI Safe Start Plan — the “Improving” phase. 

To help reopening businesses safely reengage in the economy, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity launched the MI Symptoms Web Application as a cost-free way for employers to comply with Executive Order 2020-97 and implement a COVID-19 symptoms screening questionnaire for employees.

As employers begin to evaluate if working from home is the best way to accomplish social distancing, they should consider risks associated with an all-remote workforce.

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a number of Executive Orders that seek to help the state move forward post COVID-19.

Businesses are working to reopen as Gov. Whitmer’s “Stay at Home” and other Executive Orders put in place amid COVID-19, begin to relax. It is important, and required, for businesses reopening to protect both their staff and customers. 

The Detroit Regional Chamber is having the essential conversations with government officials and entities behind the scenes to help mitigate the COVID-19 crisis and ensure the health of businesses in the Detroit region coming out of the crisis.

As businesses across Michigan prepare to reopen or welcome employees back, having the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect their employees and customers will help ensure a successful restart. Our goal is to help connect those who have supplies with those who need supplies.

The coronavirus pandemic is unlike anything the automotive and mobility industry has ever seen or could have ever foreseen when developing marketing and communications strategies for 2020.

Forbes has recognized multiple Detroit Regional Chamber members for successful responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies’ outstanding achievements included increasing pay and benefits.

Bring back your customers and employees safely with these ideas for reopening after the COVID-19 lockdowns.

As employers prepare to resume operations, employee wellness must remain top of mind whether employees are going back on-site or if they will remain working at home for the time being. Explore resources below for keeping employees engaged and healthy amid COVID-19.

The State of Michigan recognizes that while the public health crisis unfolds, an economic crisis is happening simultaneously. That’s why Michigan is preparing resources to help businesses retain employees amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a number of Executive Orders that relaxed some of the “Stay at Home” orders. She updated Executive Order 2020-100 to extend Michigan’s “Safer at Home” order until June 12, 2020.

Employers are entering unchartered territory. They are reopening after a global pandemic brought the economy to a screeching halt for more than 8 weeks.

Many suppliers struggle with the plant floor operating system, which is now also being fundamentally altered. The turnaround begins with a foundational “blocking and tackling” approach to COGS reduction to offset underperformance, including realigning the behaviors on the floor to the new operating system.

As America’s businesses look to reopen safely and keep employees and customers healthy and informed, employers are facing countless new questions and unprecedented new challenges.

This week, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President for Policy, Neil Bradley, shared an update with the Detroit Regional Chamber leadership on key national legislative updates. 

While there has been much debate on Michigan’s reopening strategy, including protests at the Capitol in Lansing, the majority of respondents to the Detroit Regional Chamber’s May statewide poll support the pace adopted by the Whitmer administration.

Today, Gov.Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-96 to reopen retail businesses and auto dealerships by appointment statewide on Tuesday, May 26, as part of her MI Safe Start plan.

On May 20, 2020, the Chamber released the findings from a new statewide poll of registered voters in Michigan that provides insight and data on how Michiganders have reacted to the state’s dual public health and economic crises.

Join Accenture’s Health Practice leaders as they paint a compelling picture reimagining the future of health care which seamlessly connects care, society, and work.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an order allowing for the reopening, in two regions, of retail businesses, office work that cannot be done remotely, and restaurants and bars with limited seating.

New research from New American Economy (NAE) released in partnership with the City of Detroit, Detroit Regional Chamber, Global Detroit, Oakland County and Wayne County highlights how immigrants are both essential to the region’s COVID response efforts and especially vulnerable.

The Detroit Regional Chamber is having the essential conversations with government officials and entities behind the scenes to help mitigate the COVID-19 crisis and ensure the health of businesses in the Detroit region coming out of the crisis. The Chamber’s Government Relations team is dedicated to advising the state on how to best accommodate the needs of businesses and communities through this difficult time.

As businesses restart and begin operating in the “new normal,” understanding the unique challenges and strategies of crisis management and business continuity planning is paramount. This includes monitoring and managing cash flow and liquidity.

Friday’s Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference in Lansing will provide one of the first substantive glimpses into the state’s fiscal outlook as the economy re-opens in phases, and will set the backdrop for budget negotiations amid historic unemployment.

Over the last few months, the AIREA has been studying “Back to the Workplace” trends and ideas from many of the top thought leaders from around the globe. There are many diverse concepts and solutions that are being considered and there is no “one size fits all” answer.  

The governor announced that the State of Michigan will save $80 million by participating in the federal Unemployment Insurance Agency Work Share program

With the generous support of MEDC, NEI, Michigan-based foundations, corporate partners, individual donors, and in collaboration with the SBA, the Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund has secured funds to provide recovery grants and loans to diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses from underrepresented groups in Michigan. 

With Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to allow manufacturing to resume, General Motors Co. is currently transitioning its workforce back to work. Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing Gerald Johnson joined Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah in today’s Tele-Town Hall to share firsthand how the company pivoted to produce ventilators and its strategy in resuming operations.

Friday’s Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference in Lansing will provide one of the first substantive glimpses into the state’s fiscal outlook as the economy re-opens in phases, and will set the backdrop for budget negotiations amid historic unemployment.

PlanetM Landing Zone hosted its first virtual Mobility Meetup with guest speaker Mark de la Vergne, Chief of Mobility Innovation for the City of Detroit. Director of the Landing Zone Devon O’Reilly spoke with a Vergne on Detroit’s current projects to increase mobility access for its residents.

In this webinar, Butzel Long attorneys Brett Miller and Sarah Nirenberg discuss how to balance employee concerns with business requirements when re-opening, common issues that will arise and how to deal with them, how to navigate the new laws, and how to limit legal exposure.

Building on Deloitte’s prior studies of recession playbooks, this session shares six imperatives for how Chief Financial Officers can help their companies navigate disruption.

Organizations are faced with a new duality of safely transitioning people back to physical locations while reimagining the future of work and business. With the right approach, organizations can position themselves to manage the safe transition and transform for the future. This session will focus on ways to achieve both a trusted transition and future transformation.

As government and health officials begin to set parameters around reopening businesses, bringing your people back onsite successfully won’t be as simple as flipping a switch.

Miller Canfield’s Richard Walawender, Corporate and Transactions Group co-leader and Brad Arbuckle, principal attorney will discuss issues such as problems with logistics, bankruptcies, pricing disputes, force majeure, production delays, and liquidity squeeze.

Many suppliers struggle with the plant floor operating system, which is now also being fundamentally altered. The turnaround begins with a foundational “blocking and tackling” approach to COGS reduction to offset underperformance, including realigning the behaviors on the floor to the new operating system.

Did your business receive a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan? This webinar will provide the guidance and steps to take now to ensure loan forgiveness. The UHY team helps you understand the loan forgiveness compliance process and points your business needs to consider.

As businesses restart and begin operating in the “new normal,” understanding the unique challenges and strategies of crisis management and business continuity planning is paramount. This includes monitoring and managing cash flow and liquidity.

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive Order extending her “Stay Home Stay Safe” order until May 28. The order also allows Michigan’s manufacturing sector, including the automotive industry and Michigan’s Big 3, to open in phases starting on Monday, May 11.

The Detroit Regional Chamber and our national peers are having essential conversations with government officials and entities behind the scenes to help mitigate the COVID-19 crisis and ensure the health of businesses in the Detroit region coming out of the crisis.

Barton Malow President and CEO Ryan Maibach, the 2020 Mackinac Policy Chair shared some insight as construction opened back up last week.

On behalf of the undersigned chambers of commerce, civic groups, trade associations, and other non-profits, we urge you to extend eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program to all nonprofit organizations when Congress considers the next COVID-19 emergency assistance legislation. 

As we move towards a post-COVID-19 recovery, companies that halted operations will soon face a new challenge – maintaining social distancing guidelines in manufacturing and distribution center environments.

Foley & Lardner LLP Partners John Birmingham Jr. and Jeff Kopp joined Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah in a Tele-Town Hall to discuss employment best practices for restarting and continuing business amid the COVID-19 crisis. The pair took part in answering businesses’ urgent questions on what issues to anticipate moving forward and best practices for navigating the transition.

The goal of this checklist is to highlight key operational areas for consideration of risks and planning of actions essential to restarting manufacturing operations at the Tier 1-n supplier level while ensuring customer product quality and delivery requirements are fulfilled.

Quicken Loans, along with Rocket Mortgage and the Rock Family of Companies, has shifted focus to help get Detroiters back to work by increasing safety measures and by helping the city get people tested.

The executive order will allow the May 7 resumption of some types of work that present a very low risk of infection, including construction, real-estate activities, and work that is traditionally and primarily performed outdoors. 

U.S. Rep. Andy Levin joined Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah in today’s Tele-Town Hall to discuss what’s next for the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As automotive manufacturers prepare to return to work, there are many financial and operational considerations. New safety, sanitation and hygiene procedures are all part of the “new normal” for manufacturers as plants begin to reopen after shutting down due to COVID-19.

Given the human dimension of urgent workforce challenges and the uncertainties facing business leaders, the economic and business recovery from COVID-19 will require workforce strategies that focus on both short-term priority actions and long-term reaching for the future normal.

Detroit Regional Chamber’s Brad Williams breaks down what is happening in Lansing this week.

Detroit Region’s daily traffic volume increased by 7.3% to 1.4 million in September 2021 compared to the previous year.

The Michigan Chamber, in Cooperation with the Michigan Chamber Federation, released results from a survey sent to Chamber members across the state on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Explore some highlights of key questions the Detroit Regional Chamber has asked to top business and government leaders during the Tele-Town Hall Series.

Consumer sentiment increased by 3.2 percentage points in December 2021. In April 2020 consumer sentiment decreased by 18.1 Index-points, the largest monthly decline ever recorded.

Furloughed employees agree to take an unpaid leave of absence in an effort to help their organizations cut costs temporarily.

Clark Hill’s Maria Fracassa Dwyer spoke with the Detroit Regional Chamber on how employers should transition their employees back to work once the governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives” order is lifted. 

Continuing a strategic and phased approach to opening the economy, senior officials from the Whitmer administration have shared that the next sector to open will be construction on May 7. 

Daniel Howes, columnist and associate business editor at The Detroit News, spoke with the Detroit Regional Chamber on the region’s ability to endure an economic downturn and the potential impact on its automotive industry.

In today’s Tele-Town Hall, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan revealed to the Detroit Regional Chamber that the city is preparing to send hundreds back to work.

Facilitating and utilizing strategic partnerships within the region’s automotive and mobility ecosystem have proven significant to acting swiftly amid COVID-19.

Gov. Whitmer is approaching the reopening of the state economy, with the support of statewide business organizations. A group of health care and business leaders from across the state formed the Michigan Economic Recovery Council (MERC) earlier this month.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently implemented Executive Order 2020-60 which offers temporary safety measures for food-selling establishments and pharmacies.

The Detroit Regional Chamber convened the Environment and Energy Committee to discuss the current environment and energy issues facing organizations as the COVID-19 crisis unfolds.

The White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council provided an update on efforts underway to support the minority communities most impacted by COVID-19 – both in terms of health and economics.  

U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence spoke with the Detroit Regional Chamber in today’s Tele-Town Hall on how the federal response to COVID-19 is currently evolving to adapt to the unfolding crisis.

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s Government Relations team is dedicated to advising the state on how to best accommodate the needs of businesses and communities through this difficult time.

Businesses are stepping up to the fight COVID-19 and help their communities during these trying times.

When COVID-19 first hit Michigan, MICHauto’s primary focus was to support the growing personal protection equipment (PPE) needs of healthcare workers on the front lines.

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-59, extending her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through May 15. The revisions Gov. Whitmer put forth today propose an early step to begin the thoughtful process to safely re-open our economy.

Michigan State University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel, and Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson discuss in today’s Tele-Town Hall on how Michigan’s universities are hard at work to address the fallout of COVID-19.

Cindy Bjorkquist, director of well-being for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, shared in today’s Tele-Town Hall how to focus on maintaining your well-being and continuing your journey during elevated anxiety and change. 

As businesses continue to navigate the economic and health crises brought on by COVID-19, the Chamber’s unrivaled access to public officials and their staff regionally, in Lansing, and Washington D.C.

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s Chief Operating Officer Tammy Carnrike assisted in hosting U.S. Army leadership at Detroit’s TCF Center field hospital to exhibit the state’s response to COVID-19.

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s most recent statewide COVID-19 impact poll gives the State of Michigan insight into Michigan households across the state, and how the crisis is affecting different demographics. 

Successfully combatting COVID-19 will require aggressive, collaborative action among governments, health care professionals, businesses, and citizens. Learn how the Detroit Regional Chamber is coordinating with Midwest peers to make this possible.

Employees are anxious about getting back to work, but many are simultaneously afraid of the consequences of returning too soon. Dennis W. Archer Jr. addresses why all need to work together to ensure a smooth transition out of the crisis. 

Discover the issues that are top-of-mind for Michigan workers as the COVID-19 crisis continues, according to the Detroit Regional Chamber’s latest poll results.

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s Government Relations team has been in regular contact with state government leaders over the course of the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more about their work with the state’s Congressional Delegation to secure additional funding for economic relief programs.