The economy gained 850,000 jobs in June, and the national unemployment rate is now 5.9%, which is 60% below the peak of 14.8% during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. To provide more context at the city level, WalletHub today released its report on the Cities Whose Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Most, as a follow-up to our report on the States Whose Unemployment Claims Are Recovering the Quickest, along with accompanying videos and audio files.
Michigan Women Forward are sharing an exciting funding opportunity with the entrepreneurs of Michigan. Today, MWF are announcing their 53 Voices Challenge, which is a pitch competition for women to win up to $5,350 and receive technical assistance training.
Attached is their flyer. They want to reach as many women entrepreneurs (and future women entrepreneurs) as possible.
Can you pitch your business idea using only your voice? Michigan Women Forward (MWF) is teaming up with Fifth Third Bank and challenging women across the state to record their best business idea for a chance to win cash prizes. All you need is a recording device (a phone works well!) and a short description of your idea to start or grow a business. 53 finalists will be selected to win $100 and will receive training on accounting, marketing, and pitching. The top 10 finalists will be selected to win an additional $250 and create a video that will be voted on for additional grand prizes up to $5,000!
More information and application can be found here: https://miwf.org/wei/womanup-programs/53-voices-challenge/. Applications open August 2 and will remain open until August 18. Contact us by emailing microloan@miwf.org with any questions.
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today joined Ford Motor Company and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to announce support from the Michigan Strategic Fund for Ford’s new global battery center of excellence securing its location in Romulus and helping to drive momentum as the state continues to emerge as an electric vehicle R&D and manufacturing leader.
The new Career Explorer tool in Pure Michigan Talent Connect provides personalized career and education data that is tailored to your individual needs.
FLINT, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced plans to create a new Michigan state park in the City of Flint by utilizing federal relief dollars from President Biden’s American Recovery Plan. This would mark the first state park in Genesee County, the only county in Michigan without land that is managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and when completed would become Michigan’s 104th state park.
Who Stepped Up During the COVID-19 Pandemic
LANSING, Mich. – This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent letters of gratitude to more than 200 small businesses across Michigan who stepped up in exceptional ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. These small businesses selflessly pivoted their business models and put their communities first, which strongly contributed to Michigan’s efforts to keep Michiganders safe and healthy amidst these historic challenges.
in Washtenaw and Wayne Counties
LANSING, Mich.—Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to eligible individuals as a result of a major disaster declared by the President on July 15, 2021. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency is accepting applications for DUA from individuals in Washtenaw and Wayne Counties whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Severe Storms and Flooding between June 25, 2021, through June 26, 2021. Applications for DUA must be filed by August 23, 2021.
LANSING, Mich. - Thursday, Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.4 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to Ann Arbor SPARK, Ann Arbor, Michigan, to construct 20 miles of underground fiber optic cable in the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti to attract and retain high-tech businesses, specifically in the growing mobility sector. This EDA grant, to be matched with $600,000 in local funds, is expected to create 67 jobs and generate $35.6 million in private investment.
