Over the last week, we’ve had the opportunity to partner with several great organizations to help small businesses here in Michigan take full advantage of the CARES Act - Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Led by the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and former Lt. Governor and current president of SBAM Brian Calley gathered a team that included the MICPA, the State of Michigan, Rocket Mortgage and DTE Energy to combine our resources and launch an informational website so that as many Michigan businesses as possible could quickly apply for this funding.
Over the course of 48 hours, we gathered a task force of MICPA volunteers who provided their expertise and insight on the program. This was a huge help and the information collected was the basis for the website. (Even as the government was changing things on the fly!) We facilitated the information and worked directly with the Rocket Mortgage team. The website launched last Friday morning (April 3) just before banks started accepting applications.
The MICPA task force included Leon LaBrecque, Sequoia Financial Group; Randy Paschke, retired; Doug Roosa, State of Michigan; Sarah Jennings, Maner Costerisan; Tim Weed, Plante Moran. A huge thanks to everyone for lending us their expertise!
Working with the communications team from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), we launched a campaign with current Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist announcing the coalition and website. Click here to read full story
Our partnership and the website have received a lot of attention! From interviews on the radio to articles in the media, I was so happy to see the success of getting the message out to help small businesses in the state. As of yesterday, the site has over 62,000 visits!
There have certainly been a lot of questions with this program as more banks and credit unions are coming online to facilitate the applications. Congress appears to be on the verge of approving another $250 billion to add to the program, so the funding should last even longer than originally anticipated. To help answer questions from small businesses, we had a collection of volunteers who have spent their own time helping these small business owners. As the questions came in, we posted them on a special “Connect” page where people could jump on and help.
Thank you so much to those answering the more than 120 questions that were posted over the last few days: Jamie Lopiccolo, Capocore Professional Advisors; Jim Dockery, Mrasek & Associates PC; Greg Burcz; Rachel Wyss; Julie Oldham, Small Business Development Center; Brett Rose, PGA of America; Charlene Raikany, Charlene Raikany, CPA; Abby Ward, Seigfried Group LLP; Patrick Ahern, Data Recovery Group; Mary Lou Gara-Saputo, Taubman Ventures Management; Carol Mullany; Mark Anibal, Anibal & Company, PC; Leon LaBrecque, Sequoia Financial Group; Daniel Mammah, PwC; and George Salloum, Elevate Corporate Advisors, LLC. I’m very grateful to all our volunteers and apologize if I missed anyone!
We will continue to rise to the occasion and support the needs of all businesses in whatever way we can throughout this crisis. Please reach out to me if you have any questions, comments or would like to offer your support. Thank you!