How businesses can access various new pandemic relief funds
Chad Livengood/Crain s Detroit Business
The dining area at Zou Zou’s Cafe in Chelsea has been closed due to state pandemic orders.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening threw a major wrench into a $900 billion pandemic relief package when he called on Congress to increase checks to individuals from $600 to $2,000.
The outgoing president did not directly object to many other provisions in the bill, such as a restart of the Paycheck Protection Program, which would again provide potentially forgivable loans to struggling small businesses around the country.
The nearly 5,600-page bill contains funds targeted at businesses and individuals. A good run-down of what s contained in the legislation is available here.
Tecumseh sells first property at Tecumseh Business and Technology campus - News - The Daily Telegram - Adrian, MI lenconnect.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lenconnect.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Randy Thelen
The Right Place Inc. has named Michigan native Randy Thelen as its new president and CEO.
Thelen, 48, will take over the Grand Rapids-based regional economic development organization in March, according to a Friday news release. He will follow in the footsteps of Birgit Klohs, who is retiring after 33 years leading the nonprofit.
With more than 25 years in the economic development industry, Thelen was most recently senior vice president of economic development at the Downtown Denver Partnership. He also led economic development for the Greater Omaha Chamber, and has had economic development roles around Michigan, including at the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
The Michigan Public Service Commission today took note of a remarkable year in 2020 as it worked to maintain Michiganders’ access to safe, reliable and affordable energy and telecommunications amid a worldwide pandemic that upended lives and shook the economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic response dominated the MPSC’s work in 2020, as the MPSC Staff transitioned to working remotely to ensure that the agency’s mission of energy and telecommunications regulation continued uninterrupted.
Here’s a top 10 list of the MPSC’s highlights from 2020:
The COVID-19 pandemic
The MPSC staff was among the first state agencies to fully transition to remote working, but the agency didn’t miss a beat in tackling critical issues during the pandemic. The MPSC worked with energy utilities and other State of Michigan agencies to help expand protections and assistance for vulnerable customers. Efforts included ensuring that more than 3,500 disconnected households
Business owners frustrated with wait times, prospects for aid
SBAM resident calls for safe reopening of businesses
Aubrey Martinson
Aubrey (left) and Chris Martinson own and operate the Chelsea Alehouse Brewery. Aubrey on Tuesday applied for state grant funds, but found process was frustrating.
Thousands of small business owners lined up virtually Tuesday for a slice of a $10 million pot of coronavirus pandemic relief grants from the state.
While applicants said they are grateful for any help, some were frustrated by the process.
Aubrey Martinson is one of thousands who attempted to apply for up to $15,000 in Pure Michigan Small Business Relief Initiative funds. Martinson, who co-owns the Chelsea Alehouse Brewery with her husband, Chris, said she made it a priority to be ready to submit an application as early as possible Tuesday. At 9 a.m., Martinson found there were 1,521 hopefuls in line ahead of her. She was eventually able to submit her application.