Detroit City Wire

An economic recovery plan suggesting ways Michigan employers and workers can get beyond the COVID-19 pandemic was revealed June 1 by a state business roundtable.

The “COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan,” presented by Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM), suggests a three-pillar strategy for driving economic growth: restart, restructure and reignite, according to the the full plan at Business Leaders for Michigan.

The plan allows for a 12- to 24-month recovery period, which follows principles and proposed strategies under each pillar.

“BLM suggests repurposing existing state and federal revenue, allowing elected leaders to take quick action to assist employers in resuming operations and re-engaging displaced workers as the economy fully and safely reopens,” according to Business Leaders for Michigan..   

BLM president and CEO Doug Rothwell said, at Business Leaders for Michigan, there wasn't a playbook for dealing with business shutdowns.

“… we worked to create one that could guide businesses of all sizes in keeping employees, suppliers and customers safe,” Rothwell said, according to Business Leaders for Michigan. “Now, we’re focused on a new playbook: a plan that stabilizes our state’s economy by helping state government and employers get people back to work safely and using our shared resources most effectively.”

Among suggested strategies under the plan's "restart" pillar (reengaging the Michigan economy safely and responsibly) would be extending deadlines for businesses’ property taxes, thereby allowing deferments, plus allowing businesses to pay taxes through interest/penalty-free payment plans, according to the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

A potential strategy under the "restructure" pillar (adapting to new conditions) would be requesting that county road commissioners and the Michigan Department of Transportation prioritize projects by determining economic impact. The proposal also suggests that approval processes be streamlined and that “shovel ready” projects receive the most focus.

The "reignite" pillar (facilitating economic activity and conditions for growth), among several proposed strategies, calls for the funding of the Pure Michigan campaign to restart tourism and help Michigan companies attract suppliers “in anticipation of a realignment of global supply chains,” according to the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.