Guidelines extended for grocery store, pharmacy face coverings

Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-71, which extends existing safety measures to protect consumers and employees at grocery stores and pharmacies until May 29, 2020. The order also extends temporary relief from licensing requirements for food sellers and pharmacies. The executive order extends to May 29 conditions in Executive Order 2020-60, which established […]

Whitmer signs order to reopen construction, real estate on May 7

Today at a press conference with leaders in health care, business, and labor, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-70 as part of her MI Safe Start plan. The executive order will allow the May 7 resumption of some types of work that present a very low risk of infection, including construction, real-estate activities, and […]

Local relief fund for nature preservation

Local relief fund for nature preservation

The pandemic has hit the non-profit world hard. With that in mind, the organizers of Giving Tuesday have moved the event to May 5. This online fundraising event is designed to provide emergency financial aid for organizations who have had to cancel in-person fundraising events and had to turn away volunteers. A Clarkston-based land conservancy, […]

Theaters, bars, casinos to remain closed through May 28

Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday signed Executive Order 2020-69 which extends her previous order that temporarily closes certain places of public accommodation such as theaters, bars, casinos, and more. In order to maintain social distancing the order also limits restaurants to carry-out and delivery orders. “Although we are beginning to see the curve flatten, we […]

Governor implements new executive orders to save lives, protect Michigan residents

On Thursday, after the Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature refused to extend the emergency and disaster declaration that was set to expire at midnight tonight, Governor Gretchen Whitmer took swift action by signing three new executive orders to continue fighting COVID-19 and save lives. “COVID-19 is an enemy that has taken the lives of more Michiganders than […]

$12 million added to county business stabilization fund

Many Oakland County small businesses seriously impacted by the coronavirus pandemic will get additional financial relief after County Executive David Coulter and the Board of Commissioners announced that $12 million was added to the county’s small business stabilization fund. Coulter also announced the county Health Division has begun an aggressive partnership with local fire departments […]

State treasury providing student loan assistance during COVID-19 pandemic

The Michigan Department of Treasury today announced Michiganders who have student loans guaranteed by the state will be provided assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Collection activities on delinquent Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) student loans made by a financial institution and serviced by the Michigan Guaranty Agency will be halted until Sept. 30, 2020. […]

Michigan small businesses encouraged to apply for additional $310 million in forgivable loans

The Whitmer administration along with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) announced today that businesses across Michigan are now able to apply for an additional $310 billion in Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. “There continues to be a significant need […]

Michigan food banks prepare for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

The Food Bank Council of Michigan today welcomed news of the USDA’s $3 billion in food purchases through the newly created Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). In addition to supplying fresh emergency food, the program supports U.S. farmers by providing $100 million monthly for dairy, produce and meats. The news, although applauded, presents new challenges […]

Local leaders teaming up to bring COVID-19 testing machines to county

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, Michigan state Rep. Andrea Schroeder of Clarkston, and Oakland County Executive David Coulter have collaborated through a multi-governmental, bipartisan effort to secure additional COVID-19 testing resources for hard-hit Oakland County. Together, the bipartisan group of officials, from the federal, state and county levels, are calling for additional rapid testing machines in […]