Michigan Set to Receive $10.6 Billion from American Rescue Plan

The American Rescue Plan recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden is anticipated to provide more than $10 billion in relief funding to Michigan. The State is expected to receive $5.6 billion that must be spent by 12/31/24 to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency under certain allowable uses. Targeted funding priorities include schools, child care, COVID-19 vaccine distribution and testing, rental and utility assistance, mortgage assistance and critical capital projects. It is estimated that Michigan local governments will be allocated an additional $4.4 billion, subject to certification and use requirements.

MMA is working closely with state government decisionmakers on allocation plans for rescue funding. Contact MMA’s David Worthams, at 517-487-8511 or worthams@mimfg.org, with your questions about COVID-19 funding, orders and emergency rules.

MMA Members to Advise State on Return of In-Person Office Work

The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has formed a Return-to-Office Workgroup to inform state workplace safety requirements and best practices when in-person work in office settings is eventually permitted. Currently, employers are required by MIOSHA COVID-19 Emergency Rules to prohibit in-person work for employees to the extent that their work can feasibly be completed remotely.

The advisory group consists of business, labor and public health experts, including representatives from MMA member companies Lear Corporation, Steelcase and Dow Chemical Company. The panel will begin meeting this week to provide recommendations that will be incorporated into a new set of emergency rules that are expected to be issued on or before 4/14/21, when the current MIOSHA COVID-19 Emergency Rules expire.

New & Notable

Michigan Expands Access to COVID-19 Vaccine

Beginning 4/15/21, all Michiganders 16 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine according to an announcement of the State Emergency Operations Center. Two weeks earlier, on 3/22/21, eligibility will be extended to Michiganders ages 16 and older with disabilities or medical conditions found at the CDC Coronavirus website that put them at high risk for the disease.

Webinar: Money on the Table —
Use ERC & PPP Programs to Your Advantage

Host: Clayton & McKervey
(MMA Premium Associate Member)
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
Register online.

The Payroll Protection Program (PPP) ends on 3/31/21. There’s still time to take advantage of the PPP and the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), but make sure that you have a full understanding of the impact of each of these employer relief programs so you can use them to your advantage in 2021 and beyond. Join MMA and the CPAs at Clayton & McKervey on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. to unpack the issues so you don’t leave money on the table.

Webinar: Protecting Your COVID-19 Innovations

Host: Fishman Stewart
(MMA Premium Associate Member)
Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.
Register online.

Manufacturing innovations skyrocketed during 2020 as our nation’s greatest problem solvers worked to tackle the challenges of a global pandemic. While some acted quickly to protect their new intellectual property, too many remain vulnerable to sales disruption from competitors.

Join MMA, noted manufacturing innovators and attorneys from the well-respected intellectual property law firm of Fishman Stewart for a free virtual discussion that will help you increase the value of your company and protect your intellectual property’s revenue stream. Learn from the experience of your manufacturing peers in this interactive panel discussion.

Resources for Manufacturers

Stay updated and compliant with the many changes imposed over the last few weeks. Find state, federal and member resources on MMA’s COVID-19 Resources.

Please continue to reach out to the MMA team with questions.