MARQUETTE — InvestUP, the Lake Superior Community Partnership and local economic partners from across the region are providing an informational webinar as a resource for any Upper Peninsula business as they continue to see requirements from the state of Michigan relating to workplace safety and mitigating COVID-19.

The webinar, titled “Getting Open, Staying Open: Updates on Workplace Safety and COVID-19,” will provide a summary and update on workplace safety requirements and best practices. The webinar will be at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday with no charge.

Leading the discussion will be Sean Egan, director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety for Michigan, and Bart Pickelman, director of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. They will take questions during the 45-minute webinar from participating businesses, which can be asked either in advance to better ensure that they are addressed or during the event.

InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante said in a news release, “We are so grateful that directors Egan and Pickelman are willing to take time out of their incredibly busy schedules to offer their expertise and insights to the U.P. business community.

“With the dynamics of this crisis, and ever-changing rules and regulations on compliance, understanding legal requirements and best practices for businesses, especially for small businesses, is difficult, at best. Having recently heard both director Egan and Pickelman present to U.P. economic developers, I am confident this will be a helpful and informative webinar for the Upper Peninsula business community.”

Registration for the webinar can be completed by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 9065551844727219211. Advanced questions for Egan and Pickelman can be submitted until 5 p.m. Monday to invest@investupmi.com.

Exposure sites identified

The Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department has been informed that four businesses in the region had a customer who tested positive for COVID-19.

The times, dates are locations are: between 12:30 and 2 p.m. Saturday at the Upper Crust Deli in Manistique; between 8 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Wheaty’s Pub in Manistique, when the individual picked up drinks inside and sat at an outside table; between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday for breakfast at the Cedar Street Cafe in Manistique; and between 6 and 8 p.m. Sunday at the 40 Bar & Grill in Manistique.

The individual wore a mask until seated at each restaurant, and wore the mask when leaving.

The LMAS District Health Department urges anyone present at any of these businesses during these times to monitor for symptoms and contact the department at 906-341-6951 or 800-562-4832.

NMU has mask

requirement

Northern Michigan University has developed a mask policy for students and staff.

A face covering over a person’s nose and mouth is required to be worn everywhere on campus except when an individual is alone in a private office or a personal living space, when outside and not near any other individuals, or is the only one in a vehicle on campus.

NMU has ordered 20,000 cloth masks and is providing two to each student and employee at the start of the semester. Students and employees are not required to wear the NMU face covering, however, and if they have other face coverings they find more comfortable, they may wear those coverings.

The university will also provide disposable masks throughout campus for those times when someone forgets their face covering.

Medical exemptions are available to those who can’t wear cloth masks because of health issues. Students should contact Disability Services at 906-227-1737 or disserv@nmu.edu, while employees should contact Human Resources at 906-227-2330 or hr@nmu.edu to learn what documentation is necessary.

Medical exemptions do not mean that an individual will be on campus without a face covering, but rather that that person will be offered an alternative accommodation.

Free testing for

vets offered

The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain now offers drive-up COVID-19 testing for veterans enrolled in services.

The testing will be offered only at the main facility from 10 a.m. until noon CT on weekdays.

Veterans who are enrolled in services at the VA can drive into the main outpatient parking lot and be directed to the proper area for testing. Veterans do not need to make an appointment or call ahead for the testing. Testing results are not immediate and could take from two to seven days, depending on the demand.

Dryland Dash canceled

The Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association has decided to cancel the Oct. 10-11 UP200 Dryland Dash at Negaunee Township Park due to COVID-19, it announced in its website at up200.org.

“The coronavirus pandemic has challenged our ability to provide a safe event,” it said. “The UPSDA board considered the difficulties associated with providing appropriate distancing for the start and finish, safe restrooms, food service, on-site camping and adequate facilities for the musher meetings and awards ceremony.”

Additionally, the board noted there are many unknowns regarding shutdowns and travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and what might transpire over the next several weeks, although it anticipates a Dryland Dash in 2021.

Block grant

funding available

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has made available $20 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to 77 non-entitlement counties, which include Marquette and Alger counties, to provide economic relief.

Funds may be used to reimburse for unbudgeted expenditures by counties to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus. The formula used to calculate each county allocation is based on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development methodology, taking into consideration public health needs, economic and housing market disruptions, the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other factors. More information on eligible expenses and the allocation formula is available at www.miplace.org/cdbg-cares-funding.

MEDC will deploy additional funds through the state CDBG program to provide 50% of the required project match, up to $250,000, for the Economic Development Administration’s CARES Act Recovery Assistance program.

Eligible organizations are able to apply for CDBG match dollars through the MEDC at www.miplace.org/programs/community-development-block-grant/eda-grant-matching-funds/, with directed to FRT@michigan.org.