RECAP: State of Michigan Webinar for Bars and Restaurants

by Mason Doerr

Members, 

Thank you to everyone who sent questions in for representatives from the various State of Michigan departments and agencies to answer. Unfortunately, they were not able to get to everyone’s questions. Members are encouraged to email questions to leo-comms@michigan.gov. A video of today’s presentation will be made available later in the week — we will share the link when we have it.

All MLBA staff attended the webinar and we will continue to share valuable information with members as we fight to get your establishments reopened. A new MDHHS order will be coming next week and we will do everything in our power to have a successful reopening for our industry on January 15.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar: 

Free consulting through SBDC Michigan

SBDC Michigan is offering free consulting on a variety of business topics including development plans, market research, raising capital, workshops, technology commercialization, financial management, strategic planning and organizational development. To learn more, follow this link: https://sbdcmichigan.org/

PMBC COVID-19 Procurement Platform

PMBC is offering a procurement program to assist businesses in accessing non-medical grade Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to keep employees and customers safe as we begin resuming in-person operations. Learn more here: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/services/pure-michigan-business-connect/ppe/

MIOSHA – AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Businesses across the state can now schedule free COVID-19 safety consultations as a part of the new Ambassador program partnership with NSF International and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). Ambassadors are conducting outreach to statewide businesses to offer education and support to implement regulations on workplace safety. Learn more here: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-76741-545452–,00.html. You can also review the requirements for the assessment here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/leo/LEO-MIOSHA_Ambassador_Assessment_REVv1_701134_7.pdf

Income Tax Deadline Extension

To alleviate some of the present challenges faced by those businesses, the Department of Treasury is automatically waiving penalty and interest for the late reporting or late payment of sales, use, and withholding tax for any non-accelerated return or payment due on December 20, 2020. The waiver will be effective for a period of 31 days; therefore, any non-accelerated sales, use, and withholding tax returns or payments currently due on December 20, 2020 may be reported and submitted to the Department without penalty or interest through January 20, 2021. Learn more here: https://www.michigan.gov/treasury/0,4679,7-121–547373–,00.html

Vaccination Schedule for Bar/Restaurant Employees

This guidance outlines the strategy for vaccine prioritization for the State of Michigan and will be used by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), as well as public health and health care, to allocate and administer vaccines. This guidance may change as information evolves and more vaccine types become available. Learn more here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/MI_COVID-19_Vaccination_Prioritization_Guidance_71034

Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program

A new survival grant program is under development to help businesses negatively impacted by the government shutdowns. On January 14, the program will be taken to the strategic fund board to be formally approved. Eligibility and criteria information will then be posted on https://www.michiganbusiness.org/covid19/. This will also be the website to visit to apply for the grants. No formal date has been set for application, but we will notify members ahead of time.

Thank you.

– MLBA Staff –