Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is using the occasion of her proclamation of Small Business Week in Michigan to call on the current administration in Washington to pass a pandemic recovery package to help Michigan’s small business enterprises once again.
Today, the governor proclaimed September 20th to September 26th, 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.
Whitmer contends, “The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt small business owners everywhere who have spent their lives building their businesses. While we have been able to secure small business loans for people across Michigan, there is still more work to do to ensure they have the support they need to get through this pandemic.” As a result, she says, “We need the president and Mitch McConnell to work across the aisle on a bipartisan recovery package that includes support for families and small business owners.” She adds, “When our local businesses thrive, so do our communities, families, schools, and economy. I hope this week will serve as a reminder of the positive impact small businesses have on our state. I encourage us all to do our part by shopping local now and throughout the year.”
Whitmer reports that in Michigan, small businesses comprise more than 98-percent of all Michigan business enterprises and employ half of all Michigan workers. Additionally, for every $100 spent at a local business, roughly $68 stays in the local economy, allowing both business and job growth.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) have worked together to leverage federal CARES Act funding to provide economic support to entrepreneurs, workers and communities in all 83 counties through the Michigan Small Business Restart Grant program ($100 million) and Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant program ($15 million). As part of the Michigan Small Business Restart Grant Whitmer says the state has ensured that at least 30-percent of these funds will support women-, minority- or veteran-owned businesses around the state.
Mark A. Burton, CEO of the MEDC, says, “By collaborating with local partners and our partner agencies across state government, we have been able to deliver vital financial resources to small businesses across Michigan to create a path for economic recovery here in our state,” and adds, “We will continue to work closely with our small business community to ensure they have the opportunity to not only survive, but thrive, in Michigan long term.”
Since March, MEDC has launched 19 COVID-19 response programs, that are anticipated to support more than 10,000 businesses throughout the state by the end of the year, while retaining 21,000 jobs. Additionally, 42-percent of that support has gone to businesses in historically disadvantaged communities. You can learn more online at: http://michiganbusiness.org/covid19response
To view the governor’s proclamation, click here:
https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90639-540192–,00.html
