ADVOCACY FOR PURE MICHIGAN FUNDING
The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance continued our COVID-19 recovery advocacy with a formal request to the House and Senate Appropriations Chairs to fund Pure Michigan, Going Pro, and to remain committed to investing in roads and bridges in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget.
The Alliance worked with fellow organizations, including our partner, the
Manistee County Visitors Bureau
to pen a letter to the Governor and House and Senate Appropriations Chairs further underscoring the importance of Pure Michigan.
View letter here
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FY 2020 BUDGET AGREEMENT REACHED
This week, the Governor and Legislature reached a budget agreement to fill the $2.2 billion hole in the current Fiscal Year 2020 budget, which ends September 30. The revised budget agreement does not involve any new tax increases on businesses or individuals and utilizes $350 million in State Rainy Day funds and $490 million in savings through state hiring and discretionary spending freezes, layoffs, and other identified savings in state government.
While there are also reductions to schools, higher education institutions, and local governments, federal funds will be equal to or outweigh any reductions to state aid.
Learn more here
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Governor Whitmer Signs Bill for Supplemental Funding to Support COVID-19 Response
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The supplemental budget includes a number of provisions that allow assist Michigan in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, help small business weather the difficult economic conditions created by COVID-19, and ensure that workers who put themselves at risk on the front lines are fairly compensated, including:
- A $2/hour increase for direct care workers;
- $125 million in grant funding to reduce the cost of child care for families;
- $100 million for hazard pay for local first responders and $200 million for local units of government;
- $100 million in small business restart grants;
- $60 million in rental assistance and eviction diversion;
- $25 million for wireless hotspots and enhanced connectivity;
- $18 million for health and safety grants for schools;
- $10 million in MIOSHA grants for protections to keep workers safe on the job;
- and $14 million for food banks and domestic violence shelters.
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On July 1, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed House Bill 5781 into law creating the Social District Permit. The governing body of a local governmental unit may designate a Social District within its jurisdiction.
Qualified licensees whose licensed premises are contiguous to the commons area within the Social District, and that have been approved for and issued a Social District Permit, may sell alcoholic liquor (beer, wine, mixed spirit drink, spirits, or mixed drinks) on their licensed premises to customers who may then consume the alcoholic liquor within the commons area of the Social District.
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No-Fault Auto Reform
What You Need To Know!
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Drivers in Michigan will have the new choices related to their auto insurance coverage beginning July 2, 2020. Drivers will be able to choose new levels of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Medical Coverage and determine the level of Bodily Injury Coverage that best protects them and their family.
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About the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance
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The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is a coalition of chambers and economic development organizations in Alpena, Benzie, Boyne City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, East Jordan, Elk Rapids, Gaylord, Harbor Springs, Leelanau County, Manistee, Marquette, Petoskey, Sault Area, and Traverse City.
The Alliance exists to advocate for rural northern Michigan and move forward rural-centric business policy.
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As our state and nation prepare to celebrate Independence Day, the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance asks us all to
"Stay Safe to Stay Open."
What does that mean? It means that we can all do our part to ensure our businesses can stay open and keep our neighbors employed and downtowns vibrant.
Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!
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11 Cypress Street
Manistee, MI 49660
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