Displaying items tagged: Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
More flexibility comes with latest round of PPP loans
The new round of federal Paycheck Protection Program loans includes a number of changes from the prior funding intended to aid small businesses hurting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business groups frustrated after Whitmer rejects second property tax relief bill
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has let legislation die that would have waived late fees and fines on businesses that have yet to pay their summer 2020 property taxes.
Retail success in 2021 hinges on holiday shopping, adapting to e-commerce
The pandemic pushed local retailers that traditionally rely on foot traffic to beef up their online presence and offer curbside and delivery options — mostly out of necessity to accommodate shopping from home and to compete with online retail giants.
Business groups urge Whitmer to sign property tax forgiveness bill
Business groups are urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to sign legislation that would forgive fines, late fees and interest on unpaid summer 2020 property tax bills.
Business groups watching closely as state decision on COVID-19 restrictions looms
The Whitmer administration is expected to announce in the coming days whether to extend, alter or allow state-imposed restrictions on business activity to expire.
Business leaders seek COVID-19 response that preserves ‘lives and livelihoods’
Two hundred and forty six days passed between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s first stay-at-home order to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and new state restrictions scaling back and closing some businesses.
Member-based nonprofits bolster efforts to deliver aid to minority-owned businesses
When the coronavirus pandemic hit eight months ago, many Latinx and Black business owners missed out on federal loans and other relief because they didn’t have relationships with local bankers or didn’t have financial statements in order.
Kent County immigration welcome plan a ‘call to action,’ officials say
GRAND RAPIDS — Kent County municipal officials and business advocacy groups have released an area “welcome plan” meant to address concerns among the immigrant community, including restoring trust with law enforcement agencies and promoting equity in education and business opportunities.
Bills would exempt PPE purchases from sales, use tax for employers
Employers could buy pandemic-related personal protection equipment without having to pay state sales or use taxes under proposed statewide legislation.
MiBiz Growth Report: August 31, 2020
Here is the MiBiz growth report for August 31, 2020.
West Michigan CEO Summit to drive momentum as we adjust to the new normal
The Grand Rapids Chamber is thrilled to announce the return of the West Michigan CEO Summit on October 6, as a virtual, live-broadcast experience.
Business groups urge Whitmer to allow more reopenings
Four business groups are urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to consider allowing more facilities including gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters and bowling alleys to reopen.
Business groups, health experts say employers play key role as school starts
Sam Gregoire went from college student to small business owner within a few months, driven by the reality that many K-12 schools wouldn’t be returning to in-person instruction this fall.
Growing shift to telehealth raises questions about access in rural communities
The COVID-19 pandemic created what Kelly Hirko calls a “massive shift” in health care.
SBAM backs legislation to provide liability protection to businesses during pandemic
If an employer follows the rules and complies with requirements to maintain a safe workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, business advocates argue the company should not have to face liability claims if someone there contracts the coronavirus.
Study: Grand Rapids needs nearly 9,000 more housing units by 2025
GRAND RAPIDS — The city of Grand Rapids needs to add nearly 9,000 housing units over the next five years to satisfy high market demand, according to a housing needs assessment prepared for city officials.
City groups planning fall “mashup” of events in place of ArtPrize
GRAND RAPIDS — Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. is reallocating $50,000 it initially budgeted for ArtPrize 2020 toward a new event tentatively planned for September.
GR Chamber receives 865 applications for small business relief fund
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce expects to receive up to 1,000 applications by the end of the week from across Kent County from small businesses seeking assistance from a $25 million grant fund set up to ease the economic crush of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kent County small biz relief fund opens second round
A Kent County small business relief program opened its second round of funding today, making grants available to companies that have already received COVID-19 assistance.
Kent County administrator addresses controversy over COVID small biz relief funding
Kent County’s top official says it is “critically important” that a $25 million business relief program launched this week is accessible to minority-owned businesses, following recent criticism that the program isn’t properly compensating minority business and social equity groups for their assistance.
Black, Hispanic biz groups criticize Kent County’s process to allocate COVID relief funding
GRAND RAPIDS — Two organizations representing minority-owned businesses issued a public statement Wednesday condemning a Kent County program that’s distributing $25 million in federal CARES Act funding for small business relief.
After 2020 cancellation, future of ArtPrize remains unclear
After canceling this year’s ArtPrize because of concerns over COVID-19, organizers of Grand Rapids’ flagship arts event and the largest art competition in the world have avoided questions about whether it will return.
‘A LITTLE LIGHT:’ Landmark LGBTQ ruling sets stage for statewide civil rights action, debate over religious exemptions
A landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 15 bars workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and also highlights additional work that needs to be done in Michigan.
Kildee, Upton push $50.5B federal aid package for small businesses
Two Michigan congressmen behind legislation that would create a $50.5 billion relief fund for small businesses nationwide hope to get it included in the next federal aid package that may come before Congress this summer.
Kent County commits $25M to small business recovery assistance grants
Forming a relief fund to aid small businesses hurting from the COVID-19 pandemic was an early idea Kent County commissioners pursued when they began considering two months ago what to do with $114.6 million in federal aid funding.
Groups say their assistance with Kent County relief fund merits compensation
GRAND RAPIDS — In partnering on a $25 million small business relief fund, Kent County and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce want to tap a number of community and entrepreneurial support organizations to get the word out to companies and provide volunteers to vet grant applicants.
Kent County launches $25M relief fund for small businesses affected by COVID-19
GRAND RAPIDS — Kent County and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce partnered to form a $25 million relief fund for small businesses.
‘INSULT TO INJURY:’ GR business owners rebound from protest damage as local leaders seek to mend old wounds
GRAND RAPIDS — The May 30 violence following protests against police brutality not only damaged dozens of downtown businesses on the verge of reopening, but also has caused local leaders to revisit efforts to mend the city’s historically strained police-community relations.
Legislation would bring property tax relief, raising concerns for local governments
State lawmakers will consider a bill this week that waives penalties for property owners who defer payments on their summer property tax bills because of hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Workplace health screenings become the norm as state moves to next phases of reopening
The coronavirus pandemic never shut down D&M Metal Products Co. in Comstock Park, but it did change the way employees arrive at work.