Featured photo: Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist today celebrated the reopening of state to full capacity at Belle Isle in Detroit and highlighted the administration’s Economic Jumpstart Plan focused on strengthening the economy and putting Michiganders back to work. Starting today, capacity in both indoor and outdoor settings will increase to 100% and the state will no longer require residents to wear a face mask.
“Today is a day that we have all been waiting for, as we can safely get back to normal day-to-day activities and move forward together,” Whitmer said. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the medical experts and health professionals who stood on the frontlines to keep us all safe. (And) we are incredibly thankful to all of the essential workers who kept our state moving. Thanks to the millions of Michiganders who rolled up their sleeves to get the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine, we have been able to make these changes ahead of schedule. Our top priority going forward is taking full advantage of the billions in federal relief funding and our $3.5 billion surplus to jumpstart our economy. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure that Michigan’s families, small businesses and communities emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever before.”
“This move positions our state to unlock the full economic potential of every person and community in Michigan,” Gilchrist said. “This is possible thanks to our dedicated health professionals and scientists who guided us through this pandemic and our targeted, effective vaccine rollout that helped Michiganders across the state access the vaccine. This will be an adjustment for many working families. That is why our administration is proposing unprecedented investments in critical areas like higher wages, access to childcare and equity in education to rebuild and recover. We must work together to use this exceptional opportunity presented to us by COVID-19 federal funding to build back better from the pandemic and create brighter futures for every Michigander.”
“As a small business owner COVID-19 was devastating to my business, but with the help of the State of Michigan and Governor Whitmer, we were able to maintain and stay open,” said Tiffany Barber, owner of Tiffany’s Delicious Dogs LLC.
“Tiffany’s Delicious Dogs was a city of Detroit vendor for 15 years, forced to change our business model to survive,” Barber added. “With grants and training funded by the state of Michigan, to learn new business techniques we made it together and are thankful to our great governor and the state of Michigan for the support to make it through the storm. We look forward to getting back to business in a safe environment guided by a great leader.”
Case rates, percent positivity and hospitalizations have all plummeted over the past several weeks, while vaccination rates continue to increase. To date, 61.2% of Michiganders ages 16 and older receiving their first vaccine dose. As part of these efforts, Michigan is partnering with organizations across the state to create more opportunities for Michigan residents to receive a vaccine.
