Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2020
Media Contacts:
|
Emily Daunt
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (517) 377-3933 |
Leslie Pardo/Michael Odom
Marx Layne & Company (248)563-7213 |
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Receives $2.5M Grant from Michigan Department of Treasury to Help Hospitality Workers
Michigan’s hospitality employees faced with financial hardships due to COVID-19 can apply to receive payments of up to $500
beginning Sept. 22 through Oct. 1
LANSING, MICH. – Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association President & CEO Justin Winslow today announced that a $2.5 million grant received from the Michigan Department of Treasury will continue to support restaurant and lodging industry workers who were financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are thankful to Governor Whitmer and the Michigan legislators for their support of the state’s hospitality workers,” Winslow said. “This important funding will make a difference for thousands of Michigan’s hospitality workers who have been struggling to survive after losing full-time work and high-paying jobs because of the pandemic. More than half of the 600,000 hospitality workers in Michigan temporarily lost their jobs and too many restaurants across the state were unable to reopen after the shutdown.”
Payments of up to $500 will be provided to approved applicants until resources are fully depleted. Applicants must be Michigan residents and demonstrate proof of employment in the hospitality industry on March 10, when Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Michigan, as well as proof of furlough or job loss in the wake of that date.
“The pandemic has been very hard on all of our employees and business,” said Senator Jim Stamas, R-Midland, who sponsored Public Act 123 of 2020 authorizing use of available federal CARES Act funding to help Michigan families, workers and schools affected by the COVID-19 health crisis, including $2.5M in assistance to hospitality workers who may not be eligible for full unemployment benefits. “The money for the employee relief fund is going to help these employees make it through until our economy is fully reopened.”
The Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund was initially launched in April in response to devastation to the industry caused by the statewide shutdown and has already supplied 375,000 in payments to employees. The $2.5 million grant received by the state Treasury Department will continue to support fund resources.
All eligible hospitality employees in Michigan should apply for assistance online from Sept. 22 until Oct. 1 at mrlaef.org/relief-fund. Applications will be processed until all available funds are disbursed
“We are thankful to Governor Whitmer and the Michigan legislators for their support of the state’s hospitality workers,” Winslow said. “This important funding will make a difference for thousands of Michigan’s hospitality workers who have been struggling to survive after losing full-time work and high-paying jobs because of the pandemic. More than half of the 600,000 hospitality workers in Michigan temporarily lost their jobs and too many restaurants across the state were unable to reopen after the shutdown.”
Payments of up to $500 will be provided to approved applicants until resources are fully depleted. Applicants must be Michigan residents and demonstrate proof of employment in the hospitality industry on March 10, when Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Michigan, as well as proof of furlough or job loss in the wake of that date.
“The pandemic has been very hard on all of our employees and business,” said Senator Jim Stamas, R-Midland, who sponsored Public Act 123 of 2020 authorizing use of available federal CARES Act funding to help Michigan families, workers and schools affected by the COVID-19 health crisis, including $2.5M in assistance to hospitality workers who may not be eligible for full unemployment benefits. “The money for the employee relief fund is going to help these employees make it through until our economy is fully reopened.”
The Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund was initially launched in April in response to devastation to the industry caused by the statewide shutdown and has already supplied 375,000 in payments to employees. The $2.5 million grant received by the state Treasury Department will continue to support fund resources.
All eligible hospitality employees in Michigan should apply for assistance online from Sept. 22 until Oct. 1 at mrlaef.org/relief-fund. Applications will be processed until all available funds are disbursed
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation
The mission of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (MRLAEF) is to provide invaluable resources and training to Michigan’s hospitality industry which employs nearly 600,000 people and creates $40 billion in annual revenue. The MRLAEF also prepares high school students for the challenges of a career in restaurants and foodservice through ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry. ProStart students learn vital kitchen skills, including food safety and knife cuts, and important management lessons, such as menu development and marketing. For more information, visit https://mrlaef.org.
The mission of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (MRLAEF) is to provide invaluable resources and training to Michigan’s hospitality industry which employs nearly 600,000 people and creates $40 billion in annual revenue. The MRLAEF also prepares high school students for the challenges of a career in restaurants and foodservice through ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry. ProStart students learn vital kitchen skills, including food safety and knife cuts, and important management lessons, such as menu development and marketing. For more information, visit https://mrlaef.org.
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
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