Home | News & Events | Ambassador Cella Hosts Fiji Forward Business and Economic Roundtable on Building Bridges Between Civil Society, Business and Government
SUVA – The United States Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu Joseph Cella convened more than fifty representatives from Fiji’s private sector, including business leaders, business associations, and civil society, for a Fiji Forward Business and Economic Roundtable entitled “Building Bridges Between Civil Society, Business, and Government.”
Three speakers from Ambassador Cella’s home state of Michigan who have been engaged in different capacities throughout their careers in civil society, business, and government, and presently work as professional government relations advisors, shared anecdotes and best practices about how businesses, civil society, and government can work together.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is targeting businesses owned by women, veterans, people of color and businesses in some rural communities with the re-launch of a massive loan program intended to essentially provide businesses a lifeline of free money to survive the pandemic.
While most sectors of the economy have been able to mostly re-open, the PPP provides relief from small businesses reeling from the pandemic.
Credit Tyler Scott / Michigan Radio
Monday and Tuesday, first-time Paycheck Protection Program borrowers working with specialized community financial institutions can begin processing the forgivable small business loans. More lenders will be able to join in the program in the coming days.
Kalamazoo brewery tucks heaters under tables to create outdoor ‘Campground Patio’
Updated Jan 21, 2021;
Posted Jan 06, 2021
One Well Brewing has used innovation and inspiration to create a unique way to dine outdoors this winter.Courtesy Photo, used with permission.
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Inspired innovation has always been the norm at One Well Brewing, whether it is in the quirky beers they brew or in the funky pub they’ve built in Kalamazoo. Currently, their creativity has spilled outside into their newly renovated and toasty patio that the brewery has constructed this winter.
Back in March, during the first pandemic shutdown, the brewery “really made the commitment to the staff to keep things going as much as we could,” said One Well owner Chris O’Neill. They’ve been evolving the business ever since.
Michigan restaurant owners pray for government aid as dining closure drags on
Updated Dec 18, 2020;
Posted Dec 18, 2020
A sign addresses customers to wear masks at Daner s Diner, located at 224 W. Genesee Street in Lapeer. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a three-week public health order that restaurants and bars cannot provide dine-in service until Dec. 9 throughout the state. (Jake May | MLive.com)Jake May | Mlive.com
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Owners of Michigan bars and restaurants struggling to stay afloat were dismayed to learn dine-in services will remain closed until Jan. 15, 2021, through a government mandate that took effect in November.
Small Businesses Face Closures as COVID-19 Restrictions Stay In Place
December 16, 2020
The Small Business Association of Michigan says many business owners cannot sustain operations if COVID-19 restrictions stay in place.
Orders from the state health department are set to expire on Sunday, but it’s not clear if they’ll get extended again.
“They really can’t hold on much longer and so it is absolutely urgent that this week Congress pass an aid bill,” said President of the Small Business Association of Michigan, Brian Calley. “It’s also urgent that when this emergency order comes to a close on Sunday that it not be extended in the same way that keeps businesses closed.”