George James

Polka Dot Pandas Boutique in Downtown Port Huron is leading an effort to get hand-sewn masks made for local medical personnel who are dealing with and preparing for the COVID-19 pandemic. Cloth masks can be washed and reused and are helpful in preserving the supply of N95 masks. 

Tricia Comtois, spokesperson for the family-owned business said that they decided to close their downtown business completely and dedicate their efforts to producing the masks and coordinating efforts with their network of home seamstresses. The response has been mighty as the community tries to find ways to help. 

The masks are not for sale, and orders are not being taken for personal masks. Donating money for the purchase of fabric is helpful, and there is a Paypal link on their Facebook page, “Port Huron Pandas.” Details are on Polka Dot Pandas’ Facebook page. Once the masks are sewn, they will be delivered to the Be Ready St. Clair County Emergency Response Team who decides which medical facilities need them. Comtois said the response has been overwhelming and directs interested donors or sewers to her updates on the Facebook page.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) received preliminary approval over the weekend from the U.S. Department of Education to waive a number of federal requirements for statewide student testing and school accountability.

State Board of Education President Dr. Casandra Ulbrich and State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on March 17, to urge the secretary to grant a nationwide waiver of statewide student assessments in favor of focusing on the more immediate needs of children.

The U.S. Department of Education responded last Friday by offering every state the opportunity to submit expedited waiver requests for a number of federal testing and accountability requirements. MDE submitted its request late Friday afternoon.

Dr. Rice noted in the letter for the waiver that the school closures are in response to extraordinary circumstances for which a national emergency has been declared and that the school closures “will protect the health and safety of students, staff, and our communities.” Michigan’s annual M-STEP tests are scheduled to begin the week of April 13 and run through May 28.

If the public or local school districts would like to comment on this federal assessment and accountability waiver request, they can do so through the email address mde-essa@michigan.gov.

The Treasury Department and the IRS have extended the filing deadline for 2019 federal income taxes to July 15, in response to the financial crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to local tax advisor, Jo Lynn Manns, CPA with UHY in Port Huron, the extension applies to corporate and individual filings, which were due on April 15. First quarter estimated tax filings have been extended to July 15, also, while second quarter remains at June 15, pending further policy updates. 

Taxes on income from self-employment are included in the July 15 extension. The payroll tax deadline has not been extended. For those expecting a refund, the IRS advises to file now, if you haven’t already. At this time, refunds are not officially delayed, and “The IRS is continuing to process tax returns, issue refunds and help taxpayers to the greatest extent possible,” according to IRS.gov.

All Taxpayer Assistance Centers nationwide have been closed. At this time, there have been no changes to the April 15 deadline for state taxes, but that could change anytime. Further details and updated information on tax deadlines can be found at IRS.gov.

Economic assistance for small businesses around Michigan that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus has gained approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has announced.

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program authorizes the MEDC to provide up to $20 million in support for small businesses. The funding is divided between $10 million in small business grants and $10 million in small business loans to support businesses facing drastic reductions in cash flow and the continued support of their workforce.

The $10 million in grant funding will be provided to local or nonprofit economic development organizations throughout the state to provide grants up to $10,000 each to support certain small businesses that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 virus.

In order to qualify for grant support, businesses must meet criteria including 50 employees or fewer, working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business, and the ability to demonstrate an income loss as a result of the EO, or the COVID-19 outbreak.

Additionally, the program will authorize the MEDC to provide up to $10 million for small business loans with flexible repayment terms to support certain small businesses statewide that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Loans to eligible borrowers must be $50,000 or more and are capped at $200,000. There are requirements to qualify. 

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program will be a top priority for the MEDC, with funds being available no later than April 1, 2020. 

For more information and resources for small businesses in Michigan impacted by COVID-19 visit michiganbusiness.org/covid19. The Ecomonic Development Alliance of St. Clair County also has resources on its website at edascc.com

Beginning today,  Michigan Kroger and Meijer stores will dedicate special shopping hours for the elderly, emergency workers and others directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kroger has dedicated the first hour of shopping on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. to senior shoppers (60 years and older), expectant mothers, first responders and those with compromised immune systems until further notice. The opportunity is extended to these groups as they are the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Each store will have staff available to help customers as necessary.

 Rachel Hurst, corporate affairs manager, The Kroger Co. of Michigan said the grocery chain requests “ that customers respect these hours for the health of our community during this time of uncertainty.”

Kroger encourages all other customers to shop between 8:00 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. all other days of the week. Kroger has moved to the 9 p.m. closing to accommodate cleaning and restocking.

Kroger pharmacy hours will remain the same and vary by store. Hurst recommends that customers confirm the pharmacy hours with their local stores. 

Meijer has also adjusted its store hours for the foreseeable future to allow more time for team members to deep clean and restock its stores, as well as dedicated hours for senior citizens, customers with chronic health conditions, essential service workers and its team members.

Meijer stores now close overnight at 10 p.m. local time and will open each morning at 8 a.m. local time with dedicated shopping times for senior citizens and customers with chronic health conditions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 a.m. local time. Meijer stores and pharmacies will provide dedicated shopping times for essential service workers and Meijer team members on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-8 a.m. local time.

Rick Keyes, Meijer President and Chief Executive Officer said the “adjusted store hours will ensure all of customers have access to the products they need in the cleanest shopping environment possible.”

Essential service workers include all medical workers, first responders and law enforcement. Meijer is asking its customers and the public to please respect the times for these important groups.

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan is working with its network of partners in the Thumb region to provide expanded services for people in need during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan serves 22 counties in Michigan including Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair, and Tuscola counties. 

The Food Bank and local partners have now scheduled mobile food pantries in each county and will continue to add to this schedule as resources become available. This week, the Food Bank has distributions in the area that include:

•  Laker Elementary School, 6436 Pigeon Road, Pigeon – March 21, 10 a.m.
•  Gateway Assembly, 2796 S Van Dyke Road, Imlay City – March 21, 11a.m.
•  Anchor Cove Church, 201 E. Sanilac Road, Caro – March 21, 10 a.m.
•  Revive Ministries, 6400 Main Street, Cass City – March 24, 1 p.m.
•  Crossroads Community Church, 3631 King Road, East China, March 25, 11 a.m.
•  Kohler Propane, 8744 Burnside Road, Brown City – March 26, 3:30 p.m.
•  Croswell Wesleyan Church, 5242 N. Black River Road, Croswell – March 26, 2:30 p.m.
•  Tuscola County ISD, 1385 Cleaver Road, Caro – March 28, 11 a.m.
•  VFW Hall, 2942 Main Street, Marlette – March 28, 9:30 a.m.
•  Gateway Assembly, 2796 S Van Dyke Road, Imlay City – March 28, 11 a.m.
•  Marlette High School, 3051 Moore Street, Marlette – March 31, 11 a.m.
•  Father Dunn Hall, 310 North Main Street, Yale – April 4, 10 a.m.

Kara Ross, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan said the, “ distributions give community members the opportunity to pick up produce, protein, and shelf-stable items.” During the outbreak, Ross promised the Food Bank is “committed to working with partners in all 22 of our counties to provide additional resources to alleviate burdens on neighbors.”

The mobile distributions have been refocused as a drive-through style. The Food Bank and partner organizations are providing bags and briefing agencies and volunteers prior to distributions to ensure compliance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines regarding social distancing.

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan relies on and appreciates the donated food it receives from approximately 70 retail grocery partners. However, the COVID-19 outbreak has increased overall demand for food nationally from retailers and manufacturers, so donations to food banks have declined as people purchase and stock up on food. Due to the decline in donated items, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan has to purchase significantly more food now to distribute into the communities it serves, which has made monetary donations vital. Contributions can be made online at www.FBEM.org.

The Food Bank’s Thumb Region Outreach Coordinator Heather Bearden is available to assist organizations interested in partnering with the Food Bank, individuals in need of assistance, and answer questions about the Food Bank. The Food Bank’s website has calendars with scheduled food distributions, a map to search for food pantries by zip code, and resources related to the COVID-19 outbreak.