Survey shows small businesses are suffering
A shopper at Target in Marquette Township is wearing appropriate protective gear. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)
For Wednesday, May 6.
A shopper at Target in Marquette Township is wearing appropriate protective gear. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)
For Wednesday, May 6.
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MARQUETTE -- A total of 14% of Michigan small businesses, or one in seven, are not confident they will survive the COVID-19 pandemic, a Small Business Association of Michigan survey showed.
"The COVID-19 pandemic and closure orders have created such an uphill challenge for small businesses that one out of every seven in Michigan aren't sure they'll be able to recover," said SBAM President Brian Calley in a news release. "Michigan small businesses are truly struggling to survive."
The April survey of 1,300 businesses also found out that 60% of businesses have laid off at least one employee.
Other results showed:
≤ Nearly 45% of small businesses are closed.
≤ More than 50% of small businesses don't have the ability for their employees to work from home.
≤ The majority -- 72% -- of surveyed businesses have applied for the Paycheck Protection Program, while 43% have applied for other loans or advances.
≤ A total of 56% of small businesses don't believe they will be able to implement split shifts to limit exposure to the coronavirus.
≤ A total of 35% need additional physical space to meet social distancing guidelines.
≤ A total of 44% of small businesses indicated they don't qualify for classification as critical essential infrastructure.
Some local businesses have had to get creative to survive. For instance, the German restaurant Steinhaus, located in the city of Marquette, has started a Steinhaus COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund through GoFundMe.
"Some of our most vulnerable employees are not eligible for unemployment insurance, and we are compensating them for the duration of our restaurant closure," the GoFundMe page reads.
It explained on the site that the restaurant is using this platform because it does not have a means for people to purchase gift cards without coming into the restaurant, and it wants to limit its staff and the community's exposure to the virus.
However, gift cards can be redeemed and picked up for the amount contributed to the relief fund upon the restaurant's reopening, although organizers noted on its Facebook page the restaurant probably will not open this month.
Casino opening
postponed
The Island Resort and Casino in Harris announced on its Facebook page that due to unforeseen circumstances, its reopening has been postponed until May 16.
Membership meeting canceled
The local North Country Trail Hikers Chapter of the North Country Trail Association has canceled its general membership meeting for the month, but the fall meeting has been set for 7 p.m. Sept. 8 in the Community Room of the Peter White Public Library.
Scheduled to speak at the meeting is NCTA Executive Director Andrea Ketchmark, who will share information about what is happening at the national level and how the trail compares with other national scenic trails.
There also will be no in-person events on National Trails Day, which is June 6. However, the American Hiking Society is planning a digital campaign to inspire individuals to unite for trails protection and access to public trails during social distancing. For updates, visit https://american hiking.org/national-trails-day/.
Trail work delayed
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is working toward the construction of a single multi-use trail corridor between Dollar Bay and Lake Linden.
However, the DNR reported that given anticipated negative impacts to state and federal budgets due to the COVID-19 crisis, work on this project and others will be delayed indefinitely. Work is expected to resume as soon as financially possible.
The new route the DNR is planning will merge portions of three former railroad grades - since converted to state-managed trails -- that run parallel for roughly 14 miles. The new route would use segments of the three rail-trails in that area and move the trail entirely onto lands under state management.
State-owned trail-trail sections unnecessary for the new route would be decommissioned.
Development of the single-trail corridor will open a trail connection that has been closed since June 17, 2018, when 7 inches of rain fell on parts of Houghton County over nine hours.
The DNR will continue to work toward securing full funding for the project.
Website warning issued
Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued an urgent consumer alert to notify Michiganders of an online retailer taking advantage of consumers looking to buy products such as hand sanitizer and face masks during the COVID-19 crisis.
Nessel's office recently received a complaint from a concerned Michigan citizen about a website called OkHomeOnline selling face masks, alcohol-based cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and other products in high demand.
The consumer reported being charged for a purchase, but never received the order. Subsequent attempts to check the order status were unsuccessful when the website could no longer be accessed.
Nessel's office discovered that multiple complaints were available online with consumers going through the same situation as the Michigan resident. Consumers also discovered the phone number and address listed for the "company" appeared to have been stolen from other businesses that do not make or sell coronavirus-related products.
"Researching the product and the seller before you make a purchase is never a bad idea, and it can help shoppers from falling victim to these predatory practices," Nessel said in a news release.
Proactive actions, her office said, include searching for company reviews online and paying by credit card, since the purchase might be able to be disputed with the credit card company.
Christie Mastric can be reached at cbleck@miningjournal.net.