NEWSLETTER
APRIL 29, 2021 EDITION
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BUSINESS AFTER HOURS IS BACK! |
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SEEKING SUPPORT FOR THIS YEAR'S GRAYLING CHAMBER GOLF OUTING!
Seeking Teams, Sponsors, In-Kind Donations (Prizes, Bucket Raffle and Goody Bag items)
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POSTPONED
NEW DATE
September 16, 2021
This year's 2021 Grayling Chamber Business Expo originally scheduled for April 22nd has been
POSTPONED until September 16, 2021
at Ramada Inn due to current MDHHS guidelines.
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Special Update: Governor’s Releases Metrics for Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions
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In a press conference earlier today, Governor Whitmer outlined a “Michigan Vaccine to Normal Plan” providing a four-step plan for easing restrictions based on vaccine rates.
The plan provides:
• Step One: two weeks after 4.5 million Michiganders, or 55% of those eligible, have received their first shot, MDHHS will lift the requirement for employers to require remote work when feasible.
• Step Two: two weeks after 4.9 million Michiganders, or 60% of those eligible, have received their first shot MDHHS will:
- Increase indoor capacity at sports stadiums, conference centers, banquet halls and funeral homes to 25%.
- Increase capacity limits at gyms to 50%.
- Lift the curfew on bars and restaurants.
• Step Three: two weeks after 5.3 million Michiganders, or 65% of those eligible, have received their first shot MDHHS will:
- Lift all indoor capacity limits, only requiring social distancing between parties.
- Relax the limits on residential social gatherings.
• Step Four: two weeks after 5.67 million Michiganders, or 70% of those eligible, have received their first shot MDHHS will:
- Lift the gatherings and face masks order and no longer impose mitigation measures of that kind unless the virus threatens to overwhelm the medical system or some other unanticipated circumstance arises.
Currently, 48.8 percent of Michiganders, or approximately four million people, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The Governor said at her press conference that, if the state keeps its current vaccination rate, it could achieve the 55 percent threshold for step on by the end of May, meaning at that time the remote work requirement could be lifted.
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Information about the Application Portal
Registration for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) will begin Friday, April 30 at 9 a.m. EDT and SBA will begin accepting applications via the application portal on Monday, May 3 at 12 p.m. EDT. The application portal will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. It is highly recommended to be prepared to apply day 1, hour 1, minute 1.
How to prepare
In preparation, qualifying applicants should familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application. Follow the steps below.
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Register for an account in advance at restaurants.sba.gov starting Friday, April 30 at 9 a.m. EDT. If you are working with Square or Toast, you do not need to register beforehand on the application portal.
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Review the sample application, program guide and cross-program eligibility chart on SBA COVID-19 relief options.
- Attend one of the webinar trainings listed below. These will be recorded and later posted on SBA's YouTube channel. We will share the recording links via email and on SBA's social media channels.
Webinars: Restaurant Revitalization Fund and SBA resources to help you recover
Join us for a series of webinars hosted by the SBA Michigan District Office and key stakeholders. We'll discuss the new Restaurant Revitalization Fund, including who is eligible, how to apply, and how you can use the funding to help your business survive. We'll also discuss services from SBA powered resource partners.
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May 4, 11 am - co-hosted with the Women’s Business Center at Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women. Register Here
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May 5, Noon - co-hosted with the Women’s Business Center at the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council. Register Here
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May 5, 2 pm - co-hosted with the Michigan Restaurant Association. Register Here
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May 6, 1 pm - co-hosted with the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance. Register Here
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May 6, 11 am - co-hosted by VetBizCentral. Register Here
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May 11, 2:30 pm - co-hosted with the Small Business Development Center at Saginaw Valley State University and Saginaw Future. Register Here
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SVOG application portal open!
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal reopened Monday, April 26, 2021. Applicants should register on the portal and will also need a smartphone and a multi-factor authenticator app to register and apply.
The SBA has also added the following updated resources:
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Applicant user guide and FAQ: For help with the application process, refer to the applicant user guide and FAQ.
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Checklist: Use the checklist to make sure you have everything you need to complete your application.
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Call Center: For Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal technical assistance such as a password reset, browser suggestions, or how to use the multi-factor authentication with an app and the QR code, applicants can call 1-800-659-2955 or, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1-800-877-8339 and follow the prompts to SVOG assistance. The call center is open through the weekend from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT. For additional information and to review applicant resources, visit www.sba.gov/svogrant.
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The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department announced further details of tax credits available under the American Rescue Plan to help small businesses, including providing paid leave for employees receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.
Eligible employers, such as businesses and tax-exempt organizations with fewer than 500 employees and certain governmental employers, can receive a tax credit for providing paid time off for each employee receiving the vaccine and for any time needed to recover from the vaccine. For example, if an eligible employer offers employees a paid day off in order to get vaccinated, the employer can receive a tax credit equal to the wages paid to employees for that day (up to certain limits).
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Opportunity to Participate in a COVID-19 Focus Group
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Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the study. You can contact the Project Lead, Dr. Joseph Hamm, directly at jhamm@msu.edu.
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Researchers at Michigan State University are conducting a study about the individuals and groups that the public feels are responsible for making sure that vaccines are safe and effective. The team is recruiting individuals from communities across Michigan to develop as complete a picture of what people think as possible.
Participation will require two things:
First, you will need to complete a brief (10 minute) survey to provide your informed consent, answer a few questions about yourself, and identify the discussions that fit with your schedule. You must complete the survey to be eligible for the focus group discussion.
Second, you will need to participate in one of the focus groups. These discussions will take place online and will last approximately 2 hours. You will need access to high-speed internet and a device with speakers or earphones and a camera to participate. To thank you for your time, we will offer a $50 incentive for participants in the focus group discussions.
Please note that your responses will be kept fully confidential. It will not be possible to link your responses to you personally.
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Serving the people of Antrim, Benzie, Crawford, Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties.
The League of Women Voters is where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.
www.lwvgta.org
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This year, the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is working hard gathering facts to draw legislative district maps for the next 10 years. This group of 13 Michigan citizens, 4 Republicans, 4 Democrats and 5 Independents, is interested in a brand-new factor in their decision making - Communities of Interest. Typically, data from the Census is used to determine these districts. Yet, COIs offer more relevant information that clarifies the nature and character of a potential district. The League of Women Voters is offering help for Crawford County area businesses and organizations to participate to their benefit. A public hearing will be held on Thursday May 20 so the time to start is now!
Click here (and enter passcode kY!+D!47) for a recording of a recent town hall with Michigan LWV President Christina Schlitt and MICRC Commissioner Steve Lett. This town hall covered what Communities of Interest are and how to participate. For further information contact Marcia Koppa, Chair of the Crawford County League of Women Voters at mmkoppa@hotmail.com or call 989.348.2933.
What does the MICRC Want to Know about Communities of Interest?
• What name would you give your community?
• What is the common bond that creates your community’s shared identity?
• What is the geographic area covered by your community?
• What governmental policies are important for your community?
• How would keeping your community intact enhance the quality of your representation in Congress or the Michigan legislature?
• Are there nearby areas that strengthen or weaken your COI?
For more information on the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, visit www.michigan.gov/micrc.
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PPP extended until May 31, 2021
President Joe Biden signed the PPP Extension Act of 2021 extending the Paycheck Protection Program an additional two months. The law also includes a provision allowing an additional 30-day period after the May 31, 2021 deadline for the SBA to process applications that are still pending. Read more
PROCEDURAL NOTICE: 504 debt refinancing guidance
Procedural Notice 5000-808223 extends temporary guidance through June 30, 2021, regarding eligibility for 504 debt refinancing with expansion for applicants granted loan deferment.
PPP Program Contacts
Direct your PPP questions as follows:
For the latest on the Paycheck Protection Program visit:
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Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center is remaining closed due to the spread of COVID at this time. We will be remaining closed until the Risk Level drops to B. Our staff continue to be available to assist older adults. Home Delivered Meals and In-Home Services remain in operation. Hot lunches and frozen meals are still being prepared for Curbside pickup including the Mother’s Day Luncheon. We are also encouraging older adults to engage in online seminars as there are many available at this time on a number of subjects. www.crawfordcoa.org
Community Garden Plots Available - The Grayling Community Garden plans to have plots available around Memorial Day for any interested Crawford County resident. The Community Garden property, located at the corner of Madsen and Mary Ann Streets, has been made available courtesy of the Carl W. Borchers Post Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #3736. Plots will vary in size depending on the number of gardeners but all are available free of charge. The Grayling Community Garden is also seeking volunteers to help maintain plots which will grow food for the community. Food from this plot will go to individuals and families via the Crawford County Christian Help Center Food Pantry, River House shelter, Crawford AuSable School Pantries and the Commission on Aging. To sign up for a plot go to www.crawfordcoa.org/special-programs/grayling-community-garden-registration by May 8th or to help with the community plot, contact the Grayling Community Garden at 989-348-7123.
Free Medical Equipment Available - Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center has many medical items including walkers, canes, and more available for free for adults ages 60 and over. If you are looking for any items, please give Kathy Meisner a call at (989) 348-7123 to see if we might have what you need. All supplies are first come, first served.
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JOB, VOLUNTEER
& INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Click Here for a list of current member job, volunteer & internship opportunities & details.
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NEW JOB POSTINGS THIS WEEK
Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center
North Country Corner
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Chamber Members are invited to
job postings, and volunteer & internship opportunities to post on our website.
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MICHIGAN WORKS! HOSTING POP-UP DROP-OFF JOB FAIRS ACROSS NORTHEAST MI
With hundreds of jobs to fill across the region, employers are desperate to find workers, especially with the summer tourism season coming soon. At the Michigan Works! Pop-Up Job Fairs, job seekers can expect to find a variety of full-time, part-time, and seasonal openings.
In light of safety concerns, this year Michigan Works’ spring job fairs will be Drop-Off only. No need to get a baby sitter, no need to dress to impress, and no need to social distance – apply to all the jobs you’d like, right from the comfort of your car.
Michigan Works! staff will be set up OUTSIDE to take applicant materials at the following locations/dates. We ask that applicants submit 1 clean copy of their resume AND the completed “Job Interest Form” (there is a different form for each fair and the forms can be found at www.nemcworks.org/fairs.asp). Michigan Works! staff will distribute copies of your resume to ALL jobs you check per the form. (Note, Job Interest Forms for each fair location will be available online approximately 1 week prior to the scheduled fair).
Remaining Job fair dates, times and locations are as follows:
GRAYLING: Thursday, April 29th, 1pm-3pm at the Grayling Michigan Works! Service Center, 4595 Salling Dr.
GAYLORD: Tuesday, May 18th, 2pm-4pm at the Pavilion on Court St.
Whether you’re interested in a career change or perhaps just a summer job, these job fairs are great opportunities to apply to many positions all at one time. All fairs are open to the public and there is no cost to drop off your materials.
Don’t have a resume prepared? Don’t worry, Michigan Works! can help you PREPARE BEFORE THE FAIR! Job seekers who want to stand out from their competition are welcome to call their local Michigan Works! office to help create their resume or for help printing their resume (1-800-285-WORK).
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UPCOMING EVENTS!
(Members, please let us know if you have upcoming events planned)
CLICK ON EACH EVENT BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS
Please note that some events on our Community Calendar may have been cancelled or postponed. Please contact businesses or organizations to confirm details. We will update the best we can as we get notified.
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GRAYLING
CHAMBER OFFICE NOTICE
Please Note: the Grayling Chamber office
is currently CLOSED TO WALK-IN TRAFFIC.
However, we are still available by phone, email, or appointment, and have area brochures available in racks outside the door.
989-348-2921 - please leave a voicemail
or click on "Contact Us" tab below.
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For more information about Grayling/Crawford County and our Chamber Members,
Additional information can also be found on the Grayling Visitor’s Bureau website at www.grayling-mi.com.
Thank you for your understanding,
Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce
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