MARQUETTE — Art Week for the city of Marquette is a way for people to gather and celebrate the local arts scene.

Unfortunately, the getting together part has resulted in its cancellation this year.

The city of Marquette Arts and Culture Division announced that Art Week, scheduled for June 22-28, will not take place this year because of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Art Week is a celebration of community, bringing large groups of people together,” the city announced in a news release. “Unfortunately, concerts, art receptions, workshops and community art projects simply would not be safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Art Week typically involves such events such as the Downtown Marquette Art Stroll, the Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival and workshops.

The city and Art Week partners have postponed this year’s featured performers and events until Art Week 2021. However, to provide creative opportunities, new community art projects will be announced soon.

Resilience Fund created

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has partnered with Michigan Women Forward in announcing the creation of the $1.5 million Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund to help entrepreneurs and small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19 recover from the outbreak The fund also will assist them in meeting increased demands in support of COVID-19 response efforts.

The Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund will provide recovery grants of $1,000 to $5,000 and microloans of $5,000 to $10,000 to small businesses that are in need and have been adversely affected by COVID-19 closures, with at least 150 businesses statewide expected to benefit.

Small businesses interested in applying for support through the Michigan Entrepreneur Resilience Fund can do so now by visiting miwf.org/mwf-entrepreneur-resilience-fund.

Applicants will be evaluated on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Eligible candidates will be prioritized based on demonstrated need, including, but not limited to:

≤ Being located in a disadvantaged area within a U.S. Small Business Administration designated HubZone or Opportunity Zone;

≤ Demonstrating status as a low- to moderate-income borrower; and

≤ Qualifying as a diverse business that can demonstrate ownership by underrepresented groups including, but not limited to, veterans, minorities and low-income men and women.

Guide available

The Small Business Association of Michigan has developed a guide to assist small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Getting back to work will require changes for small businesses that could be overwhelming,” SBAM President Brian Calley said in a news release. “We want to make this transition as simple as possible and that’s why we created a guide to getting back to work safely and resources to source personal protection equipment that will be needed. We hope these resources are helpful to small businesses during this difficult time.”

The “Get Back to Work Safely Guide” can be downloaded from sbam.org. It includes tips and resources for issues that small businesses might face, including revising employee policies and employee handbooks and talking with employees about new expectations. It also provides checklists on cleaning and health screenings and other considerations small businesses might need to take on in their facilities.

SBM also has compiled on its website a list of sources where members can secure hand sanitizer, masks, face shields, gloves, gowns, shoe coverings, barriers and workplace safety posters.

Banks providing loans

The State Emergency Operations Center announced that more than 120 of Michigan’s state-chartered banks and credit unions have stepped up to provide Paycheck Protection Program loans to support small businesses facing financial hardship due to the pandemic.

The PPP, established by the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, provides forgivable loans to small businesses so they can maintain their payroll, hire back employees who may have been laid off and cover applicable overload. The U.S. Small Business Association will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used in accordance with the program requirements, payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities.

Virtual run

The David and Thu Brule YMCA of Marquette County will partner with other Michigan YMCAs to host a virtual 5K as an alternative to this year’s Y Run.

To register, visit www.michiganymca.org/statewide-virtual-5k.html. Registrants should mark the David and Thu Brule YMCA of Marquette as their YMCA to ensure the registration fee stays in Marquette County. Previous Y Runs have raised funds for the annual campaign, which goes directly toward program and membership scholarships in the county.

The $35 includes a T-shirt and medal. Registration should be completed by May 31 to ensure getting the shirt and medal, although registration is open until June 15. Participants should complete their races by June 30 and use #MIYMCA on social media to share their experiences.

A virtual race is a “fun run” that can be run or walked from any chosen location.

MUCC convention canceled

Due to concerns about COVID-19, this summer’s Michigan United Conservation Clubs annual convention has been canceled. It had been scheduled for June 26-28 at Kewadin Casinos in Sault Ste. Marie.

A total of 23 resolutions were set to head to the convention, and the MUCC Executive Board and staff are working to develop creative solutions to continue the grassroots policy process. A committee has been formed to discuss all possible options moving forward.

The summer season of MUCC’s Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp, located at the Cedar Lake Outdoor Center in downstate Chelsea, has been canceled. MUCC announced it was unable to make the necessary preparations needed to ensure camp could run safely. Also, MUCC was unable to find a way to follow social distancing protocols during an overnight youth camp experience.

MUCC, however, is working on putting together a “Camp to-go” curriculum to share with members and camp goers.

For more information, visit www.mucc.org.