On Thursday, January 14, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved the $55 million Michigan Small Business Survival Grant program to meet the urgent need of Michigan small businesses that have experienced a significant financial hardship due to the recent COVID-19 emergency “gatherings and face mask orders.” The program was part of Senate Bill 748 signed into law by Governor Whitmer on Dec. 29, 2020.

The application period for the grant will open at 9 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 19 and run through Noon EST on Friday, Jan. 22. Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to businesses that are fully closed, with grants of up to $15,000 awarded to businesses that have been partially closed, or otherwise are open and can demonstrate an impact. All applications received during this period will be reviewed by the 15 economic development organizations, representing all 83 counties, that will serve as the administrators of these grants; funding is not first come, first serve.

Details on program guidelines, eligibility requirements and resources to help businesses prepare for the application process ahead of time are available at www.michiganbusiness.org/survival.

The Michigan Strategic Fund also approved the $3.5 million Michigan Stages Survival Grant program to provide relief to live music and entertainment venues that have experienced a significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was part of Senate Bill 748 signed into law by Governor Whitmer on Dec. 29, 2020.

The application period for the grant will open at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21 and run through Noon EST on Thursday, Jan. 28 with grants of up to $40,000 awarded to eligible venues. All applications received during the application period will be reviewed by the Michigan Independent Venue and Promoter Association, who will recommend final grant awards to the MEDC by Feb. 28 for disbursement.

Details on program guidelines, eligibility requirements and resources to help businesses prepare for the application process ahead of time are available at www.michiganbusiness.org/stages.

Businesses that require social gatherings for customers and have experienced disrupted operations due to COVID-19 epidemic orders now have even more time to make monthly or quarterly sales, use and withholding tax payments, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. 

 

Restaurants that depend on indoor dining and most entertainment and recreational venues scheduled to make sales, use and withholding tax payments for December 2020 and January 2021 or for the last quarter of 2020 can postpone filing and payment requirements until Feb. 20, 2021. The state Treasury Department will waive all penalties and interest for 33 days.

Specific information about Treasury providing continued tax assistance to affected businesses can be found in “Notice: Penalty and Interest Waived for 33 Days for Certain Monthly and Quarterly Sales, Use and Withholding Returns due January 20, 2021.” 

 

“We continue to use a variety of options to assist affected businesses,” State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. “Moving the sales, use and withholding tax deadlines can provide these businesses critical time to figure out the next steps as we continue to move forward.” 

 

On Dec. 8, 2020, the state Treasury Department first announced tax assistance for certain businesses affected by COVID-19 epidemic orders. 

 

The waiver is not available for accelerated sales, use or withholding tax filers. Businesses with questions about this tax assistance should call 517-636-6925. 

 

The 2020 Sales, Use and Withholding Tax Annual Return (Form 5081) remains due to Feb. 28, 2021. 

 

To learn more about Michigan’s taxes, go to www.michigan.gov/taxes or follow the state Treasury Department on Twitter at @MITreasury. 

In a press conference on Wednesday, January 13, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services updated the COVID-19 Epidemic order to allow indoor group fitness and exercise classes to resume on January 16 as long as they follow distancing and masking guidelines. In-person, non-contact sports can also resume.

Contingent on Michigan infection rates, hospitalization capacity and death rates continuing their downward trend, the Governor announced that they have targeted February 1st for restaurants to reopen, as long as they follow capacity, distancing and cleaning regulations. MDHHS and the Governor's office will also institute a curfew to discourage multi-household gatherings at restaurants.

Governor Whitmer and her staff also provided an update on Michigan's COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution outlined below.

Vaccinate at least 70% of Michiganders aged 16 and older as soon as possible.

Provide 50,000 shots in arms each day providing the doses are available from the Federal Government.

In the last week vaccinations went from 12k per day to over 33k per day.