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Local News

North American Rebound Campaign Seeks Partnership for Economic Recovery

Port Huron, MI — The Washington-based Canadian American Business Council launched a new online campaign last week to convince states, provinces, and federal officials on both sides of the border to team up in the economic recovery of North American businesses. The primary goals of the “North American Rebound” campaign are to secure personal protective equipment, replenish and maintain each other’s medical stockpiles, and defend cross-border supply chains.

In many ways, the effort is an early hedge against the perils of protectionism. Kathryn Friedman, a law professor and Canada-U.S border expert on the Buffalo campus of the State University of New York states: “Given that now there’s a real push for companies to bring suppliers back home, to really get out of China and reshore back in the United States or Canada, there’s a real opportunity for border cities to position themselves as a new platform in each region for reshoring of supply chains.”

Since the shutdown, bridge traffic between Port Huron and Sarnia has significantly slowed. The bridge is not expect to re-open for regular traffic until June 21st.

FEMA Team Meets with Leaders to Coordinate Disaster Relief for Flooding

After significant flooding in Michigan last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was activated and—with the full force of the federal government—continues to support response efforts to disaster conditions in east-central parts of the state.

On May 21st, President Trump approved an Emergency Declaration for the state of Michigan, which authorizes FEMA to provide resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.

“FEMA staff have already been embedded in the state’s operations for more than two months supporting COVID-19 response efforts,” said FEMA Region 5 Administrator James K. Joseph. “We’re prepared now to do what it takes to further assist the state in their response to the devastating floods impacting individuals and communities throughout central Michigan.”

Immediately following the President’s declaration, FEMA Administrator Joseph traveled to the state to meet with Governor Whitmer, state emergency management leadership, and elected officials to view the damage and ensure a closely coordinated, federally supported, and state managed response and recovery operation to the flood disaster area.

No Football if Classes Not On Campus

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the football team at the University of Michigan won’t play this season if students don’t take classes on campus this fall.  University of Michigan  president Mark Schlissel said, “If there is no on-campus instruction, then there won’t be intercollegiate athletics for Michigan.”

Schlissel also said that if the team did play, it would likely play at a smaller arena than the 107,601-seat Michigan Stadium where games are normally held. “I can’t imagine a way to do that safely,” Schlissel said.

The university president said he expects to decide on whether to hold classes on campus this fall in the next few weeks. He added that the decision will likely apply for the entire academic year. “What’s going to be different in January?” Schlissel said, referring to public health concerns that things could be even worse when flu season ramps up in the winter months. Schlissel said he wanted to avoid setting “false expectations.”

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Day of Caring Will be Smaller Event This Year

Sarnia, Ontario — United Way of Sarnia-Lambton has cancelled the 26th annual Day of Caring, which was to take place on September 15, 2020. 

“Despite our hope that we could hold our traditional Day of Caring, we recognize that the safety of our community is the number one priority,” said Pamela Bodkin, Community Investment and Finance Director. “To bring together upwards of 250 volunteers for the annual campaign kickoff would not be in the best interest of the volunteers and the recipients including seniors, and those with disabilities. We would like to express our tremendous appreciation to the many sponsors, participants, and Day of Caring partners and we look forward to seeing everyone when the event returns in 2021.” 

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton will move forward, when the timing is appropriate, with a smaller version of Day of Caring. Individual projects would require minimal volunteers on multiple days, keeping safety the top priority. “We plan to revert to our traditional larger campaign kick-off next year, said Bodkin. “We look forward to having our volunteers and sponsors back with us to help those most in need in Sarnia-Lambton.” 

Since 1993, United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Day of Caring has completed projects ranging from painting, cleaning, gardening, and yard work to building wheelchair ramps, decks, storage sheds or minor plumbing installations. Each year, applications are reviewed, jobs are assessed and individuals having work done have completed a means test. 

The Habitat for Humanity Handyman/Handywoman program, funded with a United Way Venture grant, continues to provide services. If anyone is in immediate need, they can contact Habitat for Humanity in Sarnia, www.habitatsarnia.org. The Lambton Elderly Outreach Home Maintenance program can be accessed at www.lambtonelderlyoutreach.org. 

PPP Loan Forgiveness Window Opens

Port Huron, MI — As the time for businesses to use SBA payroll protection funds begins to expire, financial institutions are preparing to process millions of applications for loan forgiveness. Companies that received funds in early April can start to submit forgiveness applications at the end of May.

Lenders will be called on to help prepare detailed application documents and turn them over to the Small Business Administration for approval. Banks made about 4.3 million Paycheck Protection Program or PPP loans for a total of more than $500 billion. The program allows every borrower to request forgiveness.

The SBA released an 11-page document last week listing the criteria small businesses must follow to get their PPP loans forgiven. Among the guidelines are directions on how to calculate payroll costs, which must account for 75% of loan proceeds spent. The document is complex, so it will fall to lenders to help borrowers complete it.

Over the two rounds of the PPP, which began in April, Michigan companies received 103,811 total PPP loans totaling $15.9 billion in funding.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Social Isolation Connected to Increase in Health Problems

Port Huron, MI  –Social isolation is a word everyone is familiar with these days. Staying away from others during this pandemic is promoted as a key to keeping us safe, but a new study finds that prolonged social isolation is also quite dangerous.

The study was conducted by Dr. Janine Gronewold and Professor Dirk M. Hermann from the University Hospital in Essen, Germany, and they analyzed data on 4,316 people who had been recruited for research.

The study found that socially isolated people are over 40% more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke, or other major cardiovascular events. Moreover, the socially isolated are nearly 50% more likely to die from any cause.

Similar studies have found that social isolation is associated with an increased risk in health conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated stress hormones, and weakened immune systems.  According to a study co-authored by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, lack of social connection heightens health risks as much as smoking, alcohol use disorder, and obesity.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn