Whitmer Administration Announces $5.6B Coronavirus Recovery Plan

LANSING, MI — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced the Michigan COVID Recovery Plan, which she said aims to grow the state's economy and help end the COVID-19 pandemic through $225 million in economic programs and $2 billion in funding for schools.

The governor said the plan includes a focus on boosting the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and economic recovery for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. She also noted it includes an extension of unemployment benefits for those who lost their jobs during the pandemic.

The majority of the $5.6 billion budget will come from federal dollars, Whitmer said.

"The most important thing that we can do to grow our economy and to help businesses get back on their feet is to protect public health and end the pandemic," Whitmer said during a virtual news conference with reporters Tuesday.

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Public Health

Whitmer said Michigan will ramp up vaccination distribution. Last month, Congress appropriated $90 million for vaccine distribution in Michigan through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Whitmer said her plan will use that funding to ramp up coronavirus vaccine distribution with a goal of 50,000 doses administered daily.

The funding will help provide financial assistance to local health departments — which have been handling the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Michigan — for vaccine administration costs, including staff augmentation, as well as provide equipment and supplies. Michigan will also receive $575 million to expand COVID testing, tracing, and lab capacity in Michigan, Whitmer said.

Michigan Economy

A second step in the plan includes supporting small businesses, Michigan Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. She said the plan provided $225 million for three new programs under the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The Michigan Mainstreet Initiative will work to stabilize small businesses by securing grants for restaurants and businesses. The Michigan Microenterprise Support Initiative will help small businesses with fewer than nine employees, Eubanks said.

Another initiative, the Business Accelerator and Resiliency Initiative, will provide grants to high-tech startups that can help other communities as well, the plan details.

According to the plan, the Whitmer administration is calling on the state legislature to pass Good Jobs for Michigan, which Whitmer said could help the state retain and grow businesses and create jobs. It also includes calling on legislators to extend unemployment benefits from 20 weeks to 26 weeks.

The plan also includes food assistance programs for Michiganders who may need them, and rental assistance by providing funding to assistant those unable to pay rent and utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Education

Michigan was allocated nearly $1.7 billion from the federal government through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, which the Whitmer administration said will be allocated to help schools meet a March 1 goal of having each school offer some form of in-person instruction.