Proudly Bringing Together Regional Businesses and Organizations Since 1955
|
|
Dear Members,
We received the official notice today that all of the regional job fairs in April hosted by Michigan Works have been cancelled. While we knew that was inevitable, it brings another worry to the forefront. In the likelihood of unexpected delay or potentially a total absence of international workforce, our local recruitment will be more important than ever when the season rebounds (because it
will
rebound in some capacity, and we will all want to be ready for that). Please reach out to Michigan Works directly to communicate your employment needs. They are currently working remotely to help place employees with employers and are available by appointment only.
Cheboygan Michigan Works- (231) 627-4303
Petoskey Michigan Works- (231) 347-5150
As the season approaches you may also want to utilize the free Facebook job posting page created by local business owners as a courtesy to the entire business community
Mackinaw City Jobs
,
as well as creating a free listing in
Facebook Jobs.
If you need assistance listing your position on social media please stop down to the Chamber -appointment recommended- and we will help you post.
We will continue to research solutions to seasonal staffing needs and keep you updated.
Jamie Westfall
Executive Director
|
|
Michigan Works! April Job Fairs Canceled
Due to Coronavirus precautions, the Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium April Job Fairs have been cancelled.
Job fair dates and locations that have been canceled are as follows:
CHEBOYGAN: Saturday, April 4th, at the Cheboygan Ice Rink Pavilion
ALPENA: Tuesday, April 7th, at the Alpena Community College Park Arena
GRAYLING: Wednesday, April 8th, at the Grayling Ramada Inn
GAYLORD: Saturday, April 18th, at the Gaylord Intermediate Schools gymnasium
We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused, but know that the health and safety of all must be our first priority. Thank you for your understanding and willingness to support our event.
|
|
May Woods Social Distance Hike at Heritage Village- Saturday, May 21 at 10am TOMORROW
NOT CANCELLED!
It’s National Rosie the Riveter Day. Join us at the May Woods for a social distance hike honoring the woman who joined the Land Army, planted victory gardens and became LumberJills. Dress in your farmer gear, wear your flannel and don your boots and hike with us!
|
|
Raptor Watch Provides Opportunity for Social Interaction with Appropriate Distance
Consider stopping by the hawk watch: The birds are movin' and there is plenty of "social distance" to be had while bringing some much-needed cheer we all need right now.Counters and volunteers will be on hand daily counting Northward bound Raptors heading back to their breeding grounds. Depending on conditions, the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch operates on one of two sites near Mackinaw City, MI that are about a mile apart from each other. They are both directly off of W. Central Avenue (watch for the HAWK WATCH sign).
Our staff and volunteers are eager and excited to help everyone so don't be shy, come hawk watching with us!
|
|
Straits Area Food Pantry Continues to Provide Food Weekly
We recognize there may be an increase in need during this unexpected economically challenging time, so we would like to share details of the Straits Area Food Pantry, for those who are interested. Please spread the word.
The Food Pantry services people living in Mackinaw City, Carp Lake, and Levering Wednesday at 10am. Next date will be
3/25 from 10-11am.
To keep everyone healthy tables will now be set up outside. Pull up, open your trunk, and staff will put in a bag of food. No forms, no questions.
We also recognize that with a potential increase in demand there will be a greater need for donations.
If you can spare any food please make an appointment for drop off by calling Church of the Straits at 231-436-8682.
|
|
Gift Cards Make Great Christmas Gifts
A cool idea if you have the extra funds:
Each time you order take-out add a gift card to the order. Set the gift cards aside (in a really safe place where you won't lose them) until Christmas and much of your holiday shopping will be done.
|
|
Cancellations and Closures due to COVID-19
Effective 3/16/2020: The CDC recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S.
More Information on Mass Gatherings
.
COVID-19 HOTLINE
The State of Michigan has established a hotline to answer questions regarding the coronavirus. Calls are accepted, daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (888) 535-6136.
Community U
pdates
New updates in BLUE
- MI Works Job Fair Saturday, April 4th, at the Cheboygan Ice Rink Pavilion- Cancelled
- Mackinaw Area Public Library offers daily story time at 1pm through Facebook
- Due to COVID-19 Concerns the Mackinac Bridge Authority will not accept cash transactions starting Saturday, March 21, 2020
- Odawa Casino Mackinaw City and Petoskey closed until March 31, 2020
- Mackinaw City Village Council will not meet until at least April 6, 2020
- All MI Welcome Centers Closed until further notice
- Odawa Hotel Closed until Mach 31, 2020.
- Merrel Shoes Closed until March 27, 2020
- St. Ignace Home Show rescheduled for May 29 & 30
- NLEA Annual Lunch April 24 Postponed
- Audie's Restaurant Closed until March 31
- CNB lobby open by appointment only. Drive-Thru open
- Statewide School Closure until April 6, 2020
- Statewide Dine-In Closure until Monday, March 30 at 11:59 pm
- Village Hall- Closed to public, available for calls
- Wawatam Senior Center Meals Available by Pick Up Only March 15- April 6 (no orders after 4 pm. Call (231) 436-5323 to place an order)
- Straits Area Federal Credit Union- lobby closed until further notice. Drive thru- OPEN.
- Wawatam Senior Center – All activities are cancelled from March 15- April 6
- The Mackinac Bridge has indefinitely suspend its driver assistance program to help slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus
- Village of Mackinaw City Recreation Center is CLOSED until April 6, 2020
- The Greater Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce has adjusted staff hours to 12-8 pm to accommodate scheduling needs during the statewide school closure. We will work remotely in the afternoon hours when possible.
- March 26- Cheboygan County Humane Society Soup and Casserole Supper – Inverness Township Hall
- March 26 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm March 17- Band concert, school gym, 7 pm- Cancelled
- March 28- Saturday Second Community Breakfast, Church of the Straits- Cancelled
- April 4 Raptorfest, Postponed
- April 4-5 Roller Derby- Cancelled
To add your event to this list please email jamie@mackinawchamber.com.
|
|
COVID-19 Business Resources
|
|
 |
Small Business Loans from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Small Business Relief Program will be a top priority for the MEDC, with funds being available no later than April 1, 2020. Loan and grant proceeds under the Michigan Small Business Relief Program may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business. Through this program, in combination with other programs and services, the state will ensure economic support is available to Michigan’s small businesses to overcome anticipated loss of revenue as a result of the COVID-19 virus through both grant and loan opportunities.
“With the outbreak of COVID-19, many small businesses are faced with significant economic impacts, including challenges with cash flow and resources to support their workforce,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “The Michigan Small Business Relief program will provide immediate assistance to the small businesses around the state who are facing revenue loss as a result of tough, but necessary steps that have been taken to mitigate the spread of the virus.”
|
|
|
|
Webinars Available by the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA)
The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will be hosting several hour-long informational webinars for Michigan employers regarding unemployment insurance and the recent Executive Orders 2020-09 and 2020-10 signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. All webinars will be conducted using Microsoft Skype for Business. To join the webinar, please click on the “Join Skype Meeting” link for the appropriate date and time.
Below are the webinar dates, times and login information as follows:
Monday, March 23, 10 - 11 a.m.
Dial-in Number: (248) 509-0316
Conference ID: 501784127
Monday, March 23, 2 - 3 p.m.
Dial-in Number: (248) 509-0316
Conference ID: 473769071
Tuesday, March 24, 10 - 11 a.m.
Dial-in Number: (248) 509-0316
Conference ID: 616070893
Tuesday, March 24, 2 - 3 p.m.
Dial-in Number: (248) 509-0316
Conference ID: 794829308
|
|
|
|
Resources for Employees Available at Chamber
Member Employers: Year-round employees that have never needed to navigate the UIA filing service MiWAM are now facing that reality. If you have an employee experiencing difficulty filing we are here to help. At the Chamber we are not UIA experts but have a computer available, an abundance of helpful member contacts, and a good resource toolkit available to help them sign up for the services they need. We will sit with them until we can figure it out together. Employees can call (231)436-5574 to make an appointment.
On that note, we will do our best to help them connect to any services they need (not just unemployment benefits). We are available for this all of the time, not just pandemic. Give us a call.
|
|
Please join our new area dining group, Mackinaw City "To-Go," on Facebook to stay up to date on local specials, lunch and dinner features, hours of operation and more during dine-in shutdown. Spread joy and laughter through social distancing take-out photos with family and friends.
Phone numbers and links to menus and websites (year-round member listings only):
|
|
Update to Chamber Hours of Operation
March 16 - April 3
Effective Monday, the Greater Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce will adjust staff hours to 12-8 pm to accommodate scheduling needs during the
statewide school closure.
We will work remotely in the afternoon hours when possible. We will continue to keep our door open for visitors while it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
While we always advise appointments in the winter months as our work often takes us out of the office, the Visitor Center will now be open most consistently from 4-8 pm, Monday- Friday.
We appreciate your patience and understanding.
|
|
Team Members at Odawa Casino work to feed the community during recent closures related to COVID-19. So far they have donated 1,000lbs of food with a value of around $10,000.00
|
|
Consumers Energy works to respond to increased need for food across Michigan
|
|
CONSUMERS ENERGY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $500,000 IN GRANTS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
The Consumers Energy Foundation is supporting two statewide organizations with a $500,000 contribution to help enhance critical services for Michigan children, seniors, and those who may need assistance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The contribution will provide $250,000 each to the Food Bank Council of Michigan and the Michigan Association of United Ways.
The Food Bank Council of Michigan will distribute the funds to its regional food bank network to fill gaps where schools are unable to provide food for children, vulnerable seniors, and the anticipated growing need that will surface as more people cannot work due to COVID-19.
The Michigan Association of United Ways will share the funding with United Way organizations located in Consumers Energy service areas that have set up or are deploying emergency response activities in their local communities.
In addition, Consumers Energy enhanced its Matching Gifts Program by matching employee contributions to local food banks/pantries, homeless shelters, community foundations, and their local United Way organizations.
|
|
Additional COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
|
|
Thank you for supporting the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
