Participants in a past Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic depart the starting line. Organizers have announced that the annual event will take place this summer, but with modifications. (Journal file photo)

Organizers announced that to promote the safety of participants, volunteers, partners and the broader community, several modifications are being planned. These include mailing out bib packets for participants registered before Aug. 1, moving portions of the expo inside, increasing the size of the start line pens to comply with social distancing, and making sure aid station volunteers are equipped with personal protection equipment.

Organizers said they continue to work closely with units of government; local, county and state law enforcement; emergency response professionals; and health agencies to monitor the evolving situation and evaluate options. The decision to proceed as planned, modify conditions or cancel the race will be made with their input and communicated in a timely and transparent fashion.

However, registration deadlines are being pushed back by 30 days. If the race is canceled, all registered participants will receive transfers into the 2021 event.

New registration deadlines and fees for the 48-mile Hard Rock, 28-mile Soft Rock and 10-mile Shore Rock are: before June 1, $50; before July 1, $60; before Aug. 1, $70; and before Aug. 11, $80. The 4-mile Junior Rock always is $10, while the 1-mile Little Rock and 50-yard Littlest Rock are always $5.

To register or for more information regarding this year’s event, visit www/oretoshore.com.

Business directory launched

The Northern Michigan University Alumni Association has launched an alumni-owned business directory in conjunction with the university’s Wildcats Mean Business campaign. The directory is an effort to promote Wildcat businesses across the country and encourage the NMU community to support these businesses.

“Our alumni go on to do great things, and this directory showcases our amazing alumni entrepreneurs,” said Robyn Stille, executive director of Alumni Relations at NMU, in a news release. “The Wildcats Mean Business directory is a place for the NMU community to identify alumni-owned businesses and choose to support them first. Being a Wildcat means we lift each other up, and this is one way we can give back to the businesses that give so much to communities everywhere.”

To be included in the directory, alumni must register their businesses by completing a form at nmu.edu/alumni. Once alumni status is verified, the businesses will be listed on the Wildcats Mean Business Alumni website, and owners will receive a certificate to print and display in their businesses’ windows.

The effort stems from the Wildcats Mean Business campaign encouraging NMU and the Marquette communities to support businesses that sponsor NMU events and programming during the COVID-19 crisis. For more information, visit nmu.edu/alumni or email alumni@nmu.edu.

The NMU Alumni Association encourages individuals to show their support of alumni-owned businesses by using the #WildcatsMeanBusiness hashtag on social media.

Paycheck Protection

Program

The administration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, along with the Small Business Association of Michigan and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, announced that businesses across the state now can apply for an additional $130 billion in Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Michigan small businesses are eligible to apply for loans through the program to help ensure employees continue receiving paychecks. The loans may be forgiven if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities.

The MIpaycheckprotection.com website includes key PPP eligibility information, videos and instructions to help with the application process, information on authorized SBA lenders and more.

Open burning allowed

Just over a month since it suspended open burning in Michigan in response to COVID-19 concerns, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced it now will issue burn permits.

“We’re going to issue burn permits based on local fire risk and weather conditions, just as we have always done,” said Dan Laux, fire section supervisor for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division, in a news release. “We still expect people to practice social distancing and use good sense to prevent the possible transmission of the COVID-19 virus.”

The DNR issues burn permits at Michigan.gov/BurnPermit if weather and fire danger conditions are favorable.

Christie Mastric can be reached at cbleck@miningjournal.net.