Arthur Havlicek’s colleagues across the state are following closely in his footsteps with a renewed effort to get Michigan’s restaurants increased capacity limits in light of improving coronavirus data.
Havlicek, who is President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, sparked a successful bid to get the Berrien County Board of Commissioners last week to not only appeal to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer for a regional approach to capacity limitations for restaurants and bars in Michigan, but also garnered a resolution creating March as Restaurant Month in Berrien County.
Now, an alliance of 14 other Michigan chambers of commerce and economic development agencies have penned a letter to the governor urging her to increase capacity limits at Michigan restaurants based on the data.
The letter was sent Monday by the 14 organizations, saying, “Our organizations are encouraged by the data that continues to be shared across Michigan. Positivity rates are trending in the right direction and vaccines are reaching more Michiganders every day.”
The letter goes on to say, “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.”
The 14 agencies include:
- Grand Rapids Chamber
- Detroit Regional Chamber
- Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
- Traverse Connect Regional Economic Development
- Midland Business Alliance
- Michigan Chamber of Commerce
- Lansing Regional Chamber
- Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce
- Flint Genesee Chamber of Commerce
- Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
- Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Muskegon Economic Development
- Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber
- Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
The letter suggests, “Our organizations’ memberships are made up of all industry types, including restaurants and health systems, and we continue to address the pandemic with these guiding principles as we work together in our response and recovery efforts:
- Businesses need clarity, consistency, and transparency on decisions made
- All industries should be allowed to open with proper safety protocols
- We must be precise on how we control outbreaks
- Continue to utilize best practices- informed by data- on ways to protect our citizens
We continue to pledge partnership with you, your Administration, and the Legislature, to find solutions that protect lives and livelihoods. Thank you for your leadership in addressing the impact of COVID-19 on our businesses, on our citizens, and on Michigan as a whole. We appreciate your consideration, and we look forward to continuing to partner with you as we recover.”
You can see the actual letter by clicking this link:
