Arguing that in Michigan’s Great Southwest “there is no such thing as a non-essential business,” Watervliet State Rep. Pauline Wendzel has drawn a key appointment aboard a new task force created by the Michigan House Republican Caucus.
The charge to that new task force is to help identify ways for the state to help small businesses through the coronavirus pandemic.
Responding to her new appointment, Rep. Wendzel was blunt, saying, “In Southwest Michigan, there’s no such thing as a non-essential business,” and adding, “Every small business has a special place in our community and are woven into the fabric of the small towns scattered throughout our county. As we look to fight the COVID pandemic, it’s important that small businesses don’t become more of a casualty in this fight than they already have been.”
An initial proposal from Rep. Wendzel to the task force will be to allow businesses to innovate and find ways to adhere to CDC social distancing guidelines. She says, “Our small businesses owners are some of the most resilient and innovative people in the world,” and points out, “If they can find ways to operate safely and maintain social distancing guidelines, they should be allowed to open up and get back on their feet. We can fight this virus safely and smartly without killing our economy.”
Earlier this month, Wendzel participated in a conference call hosted by the Cornerstone Alliance, Berrien County’s lead economic development agency, and provided an update on actions taken at the state level to combat the virus. She also had the Alliance as a special guest in her tele-town hall and has spoken directly with local chambers of commerce and small business owners throughout the community.
Rep. Wendzel says, “Since the start of this pandemic, my office has been flooded with calls and emails from our friends and neighbors who are terrified they won’t survive this pandemic,” and adds, “As we get to work looking for ways to support small businesses, my office is always available for suggestions and comments at 517-373-1403 or PaulineWendzel@house.mi.gov. Working together, we will flatten this curve, defeat this virus, and get our economy moving again.”
