LANSING, MI - On Tuesday, December 29th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bipartisan relief bill passed by the Michigan legislature. This bill includes $55 million that will go towards helping small businesses. This winter, grants of up to $20,000 will be available to small businesses across Michigan. There will also be $3.5 million for grants of up to $40,000 each for live music and entertainment venues. $45 million in direct payments to workers who have been laid off or furloughed due to the virus will also be included in this bill.

“I proposed this stimulus plan to the legislature in November because I know how much our families, frontline workers, and small businesses need relief. This bipartisan bill will provide families and businesses the support they need to stay afloat as we continue working to distribute the safe and effective vaccine and eliminate COVID-19 once and for all,” said Governor Whitmer in a press release. “There is still more work to do to eliminate this virus and grow our economy. All Michiganders have a personal responsibility to do their part and mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where the virus can easily spread from person to person. We will beat this virus together.”

In addition, Governor Whitmer also signed Senate Bill 604 that will extend unemployment benefits until the end of March 2021. This bill was sponsored by Senator Curtis Hertel.

“No Michigander should have to worry about how to put food on the table or pay their bills, especially during a global pandemic,” said Whitmer. “These bipartisan bills are an important step in providing immediate relief for working families, but there is more work to do. I urge the legislature to take further action to make this permanent. 40 states, including all of our neighbors, automatically provide at least 26 weeks of unemployment relief. Michiganders deserve better than a short-term extension that expires in March. It’s time to work together on a bipartisan, long-term solution for working families.”