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On April 24, 2020 Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-59, extending her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through May 15. The new order will require people to wear homemade face coverings when they enter enclosed public spaces. It will also lift some restrictions on outdoor activities and allow some workers who perform previously suspended activities to go back to work.

The COVID-19 crisis poses a severe threat to both our local economy and business community. West Michigan is built on the backbone of entrepreneurship and small business, and the Rapid Response Economic Relief Fund is aimed at delivering short-term financial support to small businesses in need.

Interns were already in the cards, so you probably already have a plan for their on-boarding and engagement. Look at each step of that plan and think about how to make it virtual.

Michigan’s self-employed workers, gig workers, 1099-independent contractors and low-wage workers affected by COVID-19 can apply for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning Monday, April 13 at 8AM. Under the federal CARES Act, workers on state unemployment have already begun receiving the set $600 federal weekly payment in addition to their state benefit amount. Michigan is one of the first states to begin sending the $600 payment.

In late March The Right Place received a call from Kent County urgently seeking 4,500 safety glasses for road patrol officers.

Temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life.

While your business’ hiring plans may be on hold or evolving, remaining connected to the talent pipeline at local colleges and universities continues to be a critical component to success both within your business and throughout the West Michigan region.

The Michigan Paycheck Protection Program (MiPPP) provides small businesses in Michigan COVID-19 relief, giving funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll).

The Right Place team learned the local healthcare system was experiencing a major shortage of nasal swabs for COVID-19 test kits. We immediately identified one of our MiDevice member companies that might have the capabilities to fulfill the request: Keystone Solutions Group.

On Wednesday, April 1, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-33, which recognizes the expanded scope of economic, educational, and civic dislocation caused by the COVID-19, and equips the administration to address fully the devastation caused by virus. The order also formally declares a state of disaster.