U.S. House Passes COVID-19 Stimulus Relief Bill
Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Democratic HEROES Act, a new version of their COVID-19 Relief proposal that includes a restoration of the $600 enhanced federal unemployment benefits through January 2021, a second round of direct payments to Americans and a second round of PPP loans, along with changes in family emergency leave for COVID-19-related reasons.
The bill passed on a largely partisan vote and is seen as a procedural move in preparation for a breakthrough in pending negotiations with President Donald J. Trump and the Republican-led Senate.
For more information about the proposal and the status of federal COVID-19 relief programs, contact MMA’s David Worthams at 517-487-8511 or worthams@mimfg.org.
New & Notable
Michigan Activates Extended
Unemployment Benefits
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has activated the Federal Extended Benefits program authorized by the federal CARES Act, providing an additional 20 weeks of benefits to unemployment claimants. Together with the 26 weeks of benefits permitted under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-76 and 13 weeks of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, eligible individuals will qualify for 59 week of total unemployment benefits.
The opportunity for expanded unemployment benefits has attracted criminal attention, causing a dramatic increase in the number of fraudulent claims and cases flagged for identification verification. Employers should vigilantly monitor their unemployment account and dispute any potentially fraudulent claims.
Contact MMA’s David Worthams at 517-487-8511 or worthams@mimfg.org for help in dealing with the UIA.
Webinar: Navigating Through
Turbulent Times
Host: Prometis
(MMA Premium Associate Member)
Register online.
Are you a business owner and ready to learn more about harvesting and building the value of your business? Sign up for of the three remaining workshopss to learn how to emerge stronger than ever from tough times.
- Thursday, October 8 • 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 20 • 8:00 a.m.
- Thursday, November 5 • 8:00 a.m.
Webinar: Access $75K in Matching
Funds to Offset Foreign Competition
Host: Great Lakes Trade
Adjustment Assistance Center
(MMA Premium Associate Member)
Thursday, October 15, 2020 • 9:30 a.m.
Register online.
Rising foreign competition in the time of COVID is a major challenge for many small manufacturers. Join MMA and Scott Phillips, Senior Project Manager of the Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, for a free informational webinar to learn how the federally funded Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program can help qualified companies make the changes they need to get in shape for the long run.
Background:
MMA member, the Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, manages the TAAF program in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Administered by the Economic Development Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce, the TAAF program helps import-impacted manufacturers complete market diversification, sales development, ERP selection, transition and training, and process improvement initiatives to strengthen their competitiveness. Eligible firms receive up to $75K in matching funds to hire private sector consultants to implement projects of their choosing
Michigan State of Emergency
Extended to 10/27/20
This week Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-186, extending the state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic through midnight on 10/27/20.
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.