SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN

“WCC is excited to join SBAM and to be a resource for its members looking to develop their talent base through training and recruitment and to offer educational programming for entrepreneurs,” said WCC vice president Brandon Tucker in a release.

The current temporary MIOSHA workplace rules expire Oct. 14 and cannot be extended again, per state law. Republicans and business leaders are unhappy with the prospect of permanent rules. “Voice your opposition to Whitmer’s plan to make heavy-handed COVID rules permanent,” the Michigan Republican Party wrote on Twitter. “The notion of having permanent COVID-19 rules – there was a very visceral, negative reaction to that from members,” Calley said. However, MIOSHA hasn’t committed to removing the language from the permanent rules, said Sean Egan, Michigan director of COVID-19 workplace safety.

But restaurants weren’t the only businesses to move outdoors this winter in Michigan, as $3 million in state grants helped a variety of businesses create outdoor spaces. For restaurants and bars, outdoor dining igloos have become popular in recent years before the pandemic hit. This winter, businesses were scrambling for any type of outdoor dining area they could create, since indoor dining was banned from Nov. 18 through Jan. 31. Outdoor opportunities were “a lifeline” for small businesses trying to survive the pandemic this winter, said SBAM President Brian Calley. The grants reimburse spending between Aug. 1 and Dec. 30 for anything related to creating temporary outdoor spaces for customers.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) has named Ann Arbor small business owner Breanne Stuart as an 2020 Energy Waste Reduction Champion. She was honored with the award at SBAM’s recent Leadership Council event after demonstrating a commitment to reducing energy waste. Stuart, who opened her business in 2008, worked with SBAM’s Energy Solutions program to have an energy assessment completed on her business. Given her swift action and clear commitment to reducing energy waste, Breanne is an exemplary recipient for our 2020 Energy Waste Reduction Champion award.”The Small Business Association of Michigan is an organization with over 28,000 small business owner members. The SBAM Energy Solutions program is offered in partnership with DTE Energy to help Michigan’s small businesses with enhanced energy management services.