Michigan reopening plan encourages business leaders, who say ‘the sooner the better’
Updated Apr 29, 2021;
Posted Apr 29, 2021 Welcome back friends written on a chalkboard at a Michigan restaurant on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com
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After months of begging and pleading, Michigan business leaders are getting their wish – a specific plan on what triggers the end of the COVID-19 rules.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced her “Vacc to Normal” plan on Thursday, April 29, linking Michigan’s vaccination rates to the reopening steps. Business leaders are encouraged, yet concerned the reopenings won’t happen fast enough.
Office workers can return two weeks after 55% of Michiganders 16 or older get their first shot. Capacity limits are lightened two weeks after Michigan hits 60%, capacity limits are eliminated two weeks after 65% and the entire state health order – including the mask mandate – is lifted two weeks a
Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has volunteered to serve as a co-chair of the Protect Michigan Commission in an effort to help promote the state’s COVID-19 vaccination and education efforts.
Usually, Michigan business leaders have no problem publicly supporting a presidential candidate. Not so this year, where Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton have each been polarizing political figures. (photo courtesy of MLive)
This year’s historic presidential election, starring two of the most polarizing candidates in memory, has taken on a populist tone as the major-party candidates appeal to working- and middle-class voters.
Yet business is paying attention to Donald Trump’s and Hillary Clinton’s positions on jobs and the economy particularly regarding corporate taxation and global trade since the outcome in November will determine the direction of some business decisions.
Survey: Michigan s small business owners feeling more confident, but more relief likely needed
Business owners receiving COVID-19 vaccines
Many say more PPP funds needed
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Michigan s small business owners overwhelmingly feel their companies will survive, but general business conditions remain on shaky ground.
That s according to the results of a new survey done by New York City-based investment banking giant Goldman Sachs as part of its 10,000 Small Business Voices project, an advocacy initiative for small business friendly policies.
On a national level, 84 percent of respondents to the survey report that their business is fully open.
In Michigan, 88 percent of small business owners say they re confident in their business ability to survive the ongoing pandemic.