Below you will find up-to-date resources and information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information is being continually posted to our social media channels.
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Updates
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Webinar Series
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be able to provide this valuable content via Zoom. Please look for additional content coming soon.
Coronavirus and Employers/Employees: New Environment Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Who is an Essential Employee?
Many businesses have reached out to the Lansing Regional Chamber and asked what the definition of “essential workforce” is as it relates to the stay-at-home order imposed by the Governor. For information, visit: State of Michigan: Guidance for Essential Workers.
A useful website was developed by the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency that may provide clarity and answer some questions: CISA Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce
For essential business FAQ updates from Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-21 ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’, visit: State Essential Worker FAQs
Important State & Federal Updates
Federal Updates
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Summary
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act Summary
U.S. Treasury and IRS Issue Guidance on Deferring Tax Payments Due to COVID-19 Outbreak
U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance allowing all individual and other non-corporate tax filers to defer up to $1 million of federal income tax (including self-employment tax) payments due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest. The guidance also allows corporate taxpayers a similar deferment of up to $10 million of federal income tax payments that would be due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest. This guidance does not change the April 15 filing deadline. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm948
State Updates
View all of Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders and Executive Directives
Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Changing City, State Income Tax Filing Deadlines to July 2020
- Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-26, which pushes all April 2020 state and city income tax filing deadlines in Michigan to July 2020, as a part of continued efforts to help Michiganders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Effective immediately, state of Michigan and city of Detroit income tax returns and payments due on April 15 are now due before midnight on July 15. Other state of Michigan cities with income taxes due on April 15 will now be due on July 15, while cities with income taxes due on April 30 will now be due on July 31.
Business Partner Resources
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Business Response Toolkit:
https://www.uschamber.com/coronavirus
U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
Business Leaders For Michigan COVID-19 Business Response Center:
Michigan Economic Development Corporation Support Center: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/about-medc/covid19/
Small Business Development Center Michigan Support Center: https://sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19/
Michigan Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 ToolKit:
https://michamber.com.coronavirus-tookit
Lansing Economic Area Partnership Business Relief Center:
http://www.purelansing.com/businessrelief
Business Community Resources
- How Small Businesses will Benefit from CARES Act
- Coronavirus Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist
Supporting Your Small Business During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan is a low-interest, fixed-rate loan that can provide up to $2 million in assistance for a small business. You can apply directly on the U.S. Small Business Administration's Disaster Loan website: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
Want to Learn More about the SBA Loan Before Applying?
The Michigan Small Business Development (SBDC) has put together an overview of the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Information about the SBA Loan, is available online.
Is the SBA Loan Right for Your Business?
The Michigan SBDC team is committed to your success. To learn more about what the right loan is for your business and connect with someone who can assist, visit the SBDC website. link below. A Michigan SBDC consultant is available to you at no-cost.
Michigan Small Business Relief Program
The Michigan Small Business Relief Program will provide up to $20 million in support for small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. The funding is divided in the following ways:
· $10 million in small business grants
· $10 million in small business loans to support business facing drastic reductions in cash flow and continuing to support their workforce.
Energy Bill Assistance for Small Businesses
If the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made it challenging to meet basic businesses expenses such as rent, payroll or utility bills. Small business customers can call 800-805-0490 to get assistance with their energy bills and to learn about additional short-term resources.
Consumers Energy Delivering Assistance for Small Businesses
Unemployment
- Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
- Unemployment Information for Employers
- Unemployment Information for Employees
Michigan Unemployment Filing Schedule to Help Michiganders Apply for Benefits
Best Practices
- Guidance for Employers provides information for employers on how to plan and respond to COVID-19.
- Workplace Tips offers resources for employers to combat the virus.
- CDC Recommendations provides updated information on how to protect yourself and what to do if you are sick.
- U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- Providence Remote Toolkit
- TechSmith - Resources to Effectively Transition to Remote Work and Learning