Ogemaw County EDC

The mission of the Ogemaw County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is to support, promote, enhance and sustain economic development throughout the county.

Mary Bickel

Director of Business & Economic Development

Ogemaw County

2389 M-76

West Branch, MI 48661

Ph: (989)345.1090

mbickel@michworks4u.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MIWorksRegion7B/

                      https://www.facebook.com/OgemawCoEDC

Michigan Works- an American Job Center, is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. Michigan Relay Center: 711 Voice and TDD. Funding provided by the State of Michigan.

Dear Community Partner:

It can be difficult sorting through the different COVID-19 related resources. Let me help!

Here’s a list of resources available to your business:

MI Restart Grant – Grants up to $20,000.00 DEADLINE 8/5/2020

Grants of up to $20,000 are to be made to eligible small businesses (< 50 employees) that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and need working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses. Additionally, at least 30 percent of the funds awarded under this program will be provided to women-owned, minority-owned, or veteran-owned eligible businesses. The MEDC anticipates that more than 5,000 businesses across the state will benefit from this program.

The grant application is open until August 5, 2020.

The application can be accessed at https://www.michiganbusiness.org/about-medc/covid19/restart/  -- please see the attachment to preview the application as a pdf. The application must be submitted online.

Lowe’s-LISC Partnership – Grants up to $20,000 DEADLINE 8/3/2020 (11:59 pm)

Thanks to a $55 million significant commitment grant from Lowe’s, LISC will provide the emergency grant assistance that small businesses desperately need to stay afloat.

$30 million will focus on small businesses owned or led by minorities and women, who often lack access to affordable capital.

$25 million will support enterprises in rural communities, which typically face even more hurdles than their urban counterparts due to limited access to bank credit, capital, and other support services.

https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/small-business-assistance/small-business-relief-grants/lowes/?fbclid=IwAR1F4Y_vrhYv6VX3DbyNoBLMTbMrLQJSlqX13tR6F4xZ4gcCMZN1Bebfc6s

Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grant Program – Grants up to $10,000 DEADLINE 8/7/2020

The Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grant Program awards small businesses matching funds - up to $10,000 – to decrease the risk of COVID-19 spread through safety and health-related equipment purchased and training in response to COVID-19. The goal of the program is to create a safer and healthier work environment and reduce the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 for Michiganders.

• Purchasing engineering controls and other supplies/ materials to protect employees from COVID-19. Examples may include but are not limited to:

o Physical barriers/sneeze guards for bars, restaurants, and gyms to separate customers from employees.

o Equipment for isolation rooms or other upgrades to ventilation systems.

o Hand washing/hygiene stations and supplies such as hand disinfectants, wipes, and soap.

o Materials for conducting employee health screening such as touchless thermometers.

o Face coverings such as masks, face shields, and respirators.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect employees from COVID-19. Examples may include but are not limited to:

o Respiratory protection, gowns, gloves, and eye protection for facilities that have close contact with customers or patients.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/leo/MI-COVID_Safety_Grant_696403_7.pdf

The grant period begins on July 27 and ends August 7. Grants are awarded until grant funding is expended. This is a reimbursement program. Grant awards are limited to one per company.

Pure Michigan Business Connect COVID-19 Procurement Platform

Businesses with Procurement needs --  Are you in need of PPE including face masks, face shields, gloves and goggles? https://pmbc.connect.space/covid19/forms/procurement-and-donation-needs/submissions/4b7bc9ca-c068-49d7-af06-31b4d64c460c

Businesses with Supplier Capabilities - Does your business have goods and services that might be able to support organizations in safeguarding their employees and customers as they transition to in-person operations? PMBC is looking for suppliers capable of filling urgent needs for non-medical grade Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as Michigan begins re-engaging its economy in phases over the coming weeks. https://www.michiganbusiness.org/services/pure-michigan-business-connect/ppe/

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Stay safe. Stay healthy.

Mary Bickel

Director of Business & Economic Development

Ogemaw County Economic Development Corporation

2389 M-76,

West Branch, MI 48661

Ph: (989)345.1090

mbickel@michworks4u.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MIWorksRegion7B/

                      https://www.facebook.com/OgemawCoEDC

Michigan Works- an American Job Center, is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. Michigan Relay Center: 711 Voice and TDD. Funding provided by the State of Michigan.

Michigan Small Business Restart Program

Small businesses can now apply for grants of up to $20,000 through the Michigan Small Business Restart Program. The program will provide $100 million in economic assistance to Michigan’s small businesses and nonprofits and in turn, help support workers and their families facing economic uncertainty during the outbreak. Information on how to apply, as well as eligibility criteria and program guidelines are available at michiganbusiness.org/restart.

The funding will be distributed across 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) covering all 83 counties in the state for grants up to $20,000 to support certain small businesses and nonprofits that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 virus.

Additionally, at least 30 percent of the funds awarded under the program must be provided to women-owned, minority-owned or veteran-owned eligible businesses.

The application period will be live through Wednesday, August 5.

View the full press release for additional information.

New Eviction Diversion Program

The new Eviction Diversion Program administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is designed to keep Michigan residents who fell behind on their rent during COVID-19 in their homes. The program utilizes a special court process to get fast rental assistance for renters who have been impacted and recoup missed payments to landlords.

Rental assistance in the amount of $50 million is available in the form of lump sum payments to landlords in exchange for allowing tenants to remain in their homes, forgiving late fees and up to 10% of amount due.

MSHDA will administer the program through Housing Assessment and Resource Agencies, a statewide network of homeless and special housing needs service providers.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/EDP.

View the full press release for additional information.

MIOSHA Workplace Safety Resources

Make sure you check out Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety – the one-stop-shop for employer, employee workplace safety resources including posters, videos, fact sheets and industry specific guidelines.

This week, MIOSHA added downloadable signs for businesses to make mask requirements clear.

COVID-19 Workplace Safety Q & A 

Sean Egan, Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director, recently hosted a live session to answer your most pressing questions about workplace safety amidst the pandemic. View the full video and the presentation for additional information.

Anyone with questions regarding workplace safety and health may contact MIOSHA using the new hotline at 855-SAFE-C19 (855-723-3219).

In addition to reviewing the Workplace Safety Guidelines, employers should continue to review U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) websites, to ensure their workplace policies and procedures are based on the most up-to-date information available.