George James

The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) has announced that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has approved a regional grant for the I-69 Thumb Region.

Approval of this grant in the amount of $850,000 allows the I-69 Thumb Region, consisting of seven counties, to issue prompt Small Business Relief funding. St. Clair County’s portion of the grant is approximately $142,000. On Wednesday, March 26th, applications will open to St. Clair County small businesses who are encouraged to apply online via the Economic Development Alliance’s website, if they meet certain criteria.

The EDA is coordinating the submissions and processing of all St. Clair County applications. Local chambers have been invited to assist the EDA with reviewing applications and making recommendations for awards. It is anticipated that 14-20 businesses will be awarded grants averaging $8,000 with maximum grants of $10,000. Grant applications selected from St. Clair County will then move forward to be approved by a regional panel. Dan Casey will be sitting on the regional Review Panel as the economic development representative for St. Clair County. The goal of the MEDC and the EDA is to get funds disbursed to businesses quickly. The application period opens on March 26th and closes on March 30th.  

To prepare for the expected increase in Coronavirus infections in the area, St. Clair County’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has set up drop off zones for citizens to donate health and safety items. The items are intended to be used by medical staff and emergency first responders as their protection from infection is critical during this time of global pandemic. 

The Office is asking for donations of N-95 masks, which are the most effective at keeping pathogens out of airways. They are also accepting donations of handmade facemasks. A pattern for the masks is available on the Be Ready St. Clair County Facebook page. Hand sanitizer and cleaning and disinfecting wipes are also appreciated, as the virus can live on surfaces for a long period of time. The drop off points are Marysville High School, Port Huron High School, and Port Huron Northern High School. Items can be dropped off in the front lobbies of the schools.

The recent shutdowns across the state and nation have altered the routines of many across the Blue Water Area. While this may provide a little extra free time for people, Patrick Patterson, Center Manager at Blue Water Outreach & Recovery Center (BWROC), emphasizes that this free time can also be very precarious for those in recovery from addiction.

He says under normal circumstances, AA and NA meetings fill up, twice a day, and now they are empty, which can negatively impact recovery.

Patterson says, “For those early in recovery, even an hour alone can be a dangerous time and lead to unhealthy decisions. The social connection is critical. Manufacturing and food service have been heavily impacted lately, as when uncertainty in employment surfaces, it adds even more challenges.”

Patterson suggests a few activities to stay occupied at home including daily meditation, making a gratitude list, and working on a new budget.

Due to the closures, those looking for meetings are encouraged to join BWROC’s support groups have transitioned online and can be accessed at their website BWROC.org. Those in need of information or assistance can also call 888-68-BWROC to speak directly with the organization.

Port Huron city residents can put off paying their city income taxes until July 31. The Port Huron City Council voted to extend the deadline in response to the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. No penalties or interest will be levied. 

Monday’s City Council meeting was a short one, as members and staff maintained social distancing while having a required public meeting. No residents were in attendance. 

In addition to voting to extend the deadline for tax payment, the council voted to pay for supplies to keep the water and sewer plant running properly. Mayor Pauline Repp explained that water service has been restored to 150 residences and shutoffs have been halted until further notice, but residents are encouraged to keep paying their water bills. 

The Council also voted to accept a bid from Raymond Excavating for the combined sewer separation project near the Blue Water Bridge, in the amount of nearly $2 million. 

In other city news, residents can look forward to having their curbside yard waste picked up in containers or compost bags beginning the week of April 6.

The Port Huron Police Department has been re-accredited by CALEA for the ninth time. CALEA is a nationally based organization that ensures compliance to a broad set of established professional standards with a voluntary accreditation process. CALEA accreditation is considered an elite status among law enforcement agencies with only 11 agencies in the State of Michigan currently accredited. 

When the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) recently formed a State of Michigan accreditation program of their own, the Port Huron Police Department entered that process as well and achieved state accreditation status in 2018. The Port Huron Police Department is one out of only three agencies to be dually accredited by CALEA and MACP. 

The goal of CALEA is to strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities, formalize essential management procedures, and increase community and staff confidence in their agency, among other goals.

The Port Huron Police Department’s 9th on-site assessment was conducted in November 2019. The assessment process occurs every four (4) years and entails detailed scrutiny of police policies and procedures by highly trained assessors.

Buses in the Blue Water Area are still running, but by Demand-Response, or “Dial-a-Ride”, only. Beginning Tuesday, regular Blue Water Area Transit routes were suspended. The suspension is part of the mandated effort to allow only essential travel and help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

Some people rely on the bus to get to their employment at workplaces that are deemed essential, or to pick up food and medicine, and the bus system is still there for them. The hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Riders are asked to enter and exit the bus via the back door and to maintain at least six feet between riders. Bus rides are free at this time. The Downtown Transit Center and the main office of Blue Water Area Transit are closed, but the Dial-a Ride line is being answered.

In their statement, the Blue Water Area Transit asks riders to stay home unless they are designated as a critical infrastructure worker or are travelling for essential goods and services. The number for dispatch of the Demand-Response bus is 810-987-7373, Option 2.