business news

Michigan Women Forward

Female Entrepreneurs Can Win $10,000 for Their Business

Michigan Women Forward will award up to $10,000 to female entrepreneurs who want to start a new business or expand their current one. Women must apply by November 10, 2021 to compete in the Southeast Michigan virtual pitch on March 24, 2022.

Applicants will submit a business plan and pitch to an audience, and forty finalists will be chosen. Finalists will be connected with business coaches and mentors who will help them refine their presentations

At the end of the competition, the first place winner will receive $10,000; second place, $5,000; and third place, $2,500.

Carolyn Cassin, President and CEO of Michigan Women Forward, said, “WomanUp & Pitch is an amazing opportunity for budding female entrepreneurs to develop their presentation skills, think strategically to create a strong business plan and make connections with the peers and business leaders.”

The program is sponsored by the Consumers Energy Foundation which seeks to invest in the success of entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Ends as Business Owners Struggle to Fill Open Positions

Last week marked the end of federal programs that increased the time period and amount of money Michiganders could earn on unemployment assistance. Programs such as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) , Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) expired on September 4, 2021.

According to the Biden administration, states that want to continue adding to their regular unemployment benefits can continue to do so with COVID relief funds, but Michigan House and Senate lawmakers have said they will not support it.

Michigan has %6.5 billion in federal COVID relief funds designated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), but lawmakers like Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey have made statements opposing extra unemployment benefits.

Shirkey said, “It’s past time to get back to work, as there is an abundance of jobs available. Meaningful work is a key factor in an individual’s mental and physical health. This supplemental increase needs to end as planned.”

The National Federation of Independent Business is in favor of ending benefits and getting people back to work. The organizations August 2021 Jobs Report showed that “fifty percent of all small business owners reported job openings they could not fill.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

“Buy Michigan” Week Brings Attention to Local Economies

It’s “Buy Michigan” Week. The week, July 28th through August 4th, is designated as a time to focus on supporting and growing the Michigan economy by purchasing locally produced or sold goods.

The pandemic hit small businesses hard, and many are struggling to recover. The effort is underway by the Governor’s office to get people to buy local to continue to build up the economy.

William J. Hallan, President and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association said, “Small businesses like local retailers are the backbone of Michigan’s vibrant economy. As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, we encourage all Michiganders to keep their money in the Mitten by shopping local, and we thank the Administration for reminding residents of the importance of supporting the local retailers and businesses who make Michigan’s downtowns great places to shop and visit.” 

State government has allocated much of the federal Covid relief money toward small business recovery, with 23 programs on the books right now, and 25,000 companies receiving some type of support.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Summer Camp Struggling to Find Help

Lexington, MI — Summer camp programs throughout Michigan are struggling to find staff, and as a result,  some are cutting programs or putting potential campers on waiting lists.

Camp Cavell in Lexington runs a summer day camp along with an overnight camp for kids. This year, a staffing shortage has employees doing double-duty to fill critical roles, and the camp has had to limit the number of campers they can accept because they don’t have the staff needed to safely supervise more kids.

Jill Laidlaw, Executive Director of Camp Cavell, said they are getting some applications, but applicants are not returning her calls or are failing to show up for interviews. Many camp directors she connects with in her network are experiencing the same issues.

Camp Cavell currently has around 12 open positions including kitchen workers, lifeguards, male counselors, and bus drivers. She and her core staff are taking turns filling the bus driver duties so they can pick up day camp attendees each day.

“There is a lot of creative multi-tasking going on here,” said Laidlaw. She noted that Camp Cavell offers unique opportunities for its staff and is a really fun summer job. “This is a job where you get to go along and experience what the kids are doing, kind of like hanging out with your nieces and nephews all day.”

Camp counselors get to do crafts, go kayaking, and spend a lot of time participating in outdoor activities with the campers.

Summer jobs at Camp Cavell pay between $12.15 – $15 per hour and extend until August 13th.

To learn more visit CampCavell.org/employment

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Public Comment Requested for COVID Workplace Rules

Last Thursday, State Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Lauwers asked residents of his district to voice their concerns about MIOSHA’s proposal that could make COVID rules for the workplace permanent.

Lauwers echoed some of the same concerns Senator Kevin Daly from District 31 expressed when he called on his constituents to provide feedback in an online form.

“Michigan is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lauwers, R-Brockway Township. “At this critical stage, as more and more people are vaccinated and are returning to in-person work, these restrictive MIOSHA rules should be put out to pasture. I strongly encourage 25th District residents, workers and businesses alike to make their voices heard and let state bureaucrats know Michigan doesn’t want or need MIOSHA’s rules.”

If the proposed rule goes into effect, MIOSHA would have the right to review workplace rules that went into effect during the pandemic within 21 days after MDHHS and the Governor’s emergency orders have ended. At that time, they could choose to make them permanent.

As part of the process, all proposed rules are subject to a public comment period and a public hearing. Comments will be accepted until May 26, 2021, and can be made here: https://www.misenategop.com/WhitmerEmergency/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

DB Delivery Solutions Wins Small Business Award

St. Clair County, MI — DB Delivery Solutions, an East China small business, has been presented an award by the Michigan Economic Corporation as one of the 2021 SmartZone Best Small Businesses.

As part of the Underground’s Incubator Program, DB Delivery Solutions has been supported and counseled by local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives from the St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA).

DB Delivery Solutions created a secure way for homeowners and businesses to receive packages with their Receptor. The Receptor can be installed in the exterior wall of a garage, home, or business, and includes a weatherproof and secure place for delivery companies to place packages.

Mike Jans, President of DB Delivery Solutions said in a press release, “We don’t just get mail anymore, and our product, the Receptor, is the answer to everyone’s concerns about how to safely and securely get all of their deliveries, which includes packages, groceries, and prepared food. We can install the Receptor in any existing home or business, and we can install the Receptor in any new construction project.”

To learn more visit www.dbdeliverysolutions.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand