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News Digest for June 30, 2022





Muskegon

The sun sets through trees near Lake Michigan in Muskegon, Mich.

*This edition's stories:*


* Whitmer Announces Michigan Businesses to Receive Support Through Growing MI Business Program [ #growing ]
* Michigan Education Trust Pizza Party Raises More Than $6,800 for Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund [ #ffs ]
* Fostering Futures Scholarship Application Priority Deadline; Applications Must Be Received by August 1, 2022 [ #ffsdeadline ]
* Michigan Education Trust Announces More Than 36,000 People Signed Up for $1.5 Million Tuition Giveaway [ #met ]
* State Treasury Department Providing Individuals, Businesses Tax Relief due to Governor?s Emergency Declaration in Otsego County [ #tornado ]
* Blakeney Named State Administrative Manager Over Continuous Improvement and Engagement Division [ #scott ]
* Hayden Named Director for Bureau of State and Authority Finance [ #hayden ]
* Johnson Named State Administrative Manager in the Tax Compliance Bureau [ #johnson ]
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Whitmer Announces Michigan Businesses to Receive Support Through Growing MI Business Program

Growing MI Business

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced that more than $105 million has been awarded to 2,600 Michigan businesses for economic growth as a part of the Growing MI Business Grant Program.

?The bipartisan Growing MI Business Grants will deliver more than $105 million to more than 2,600 businesses as they face rising costs, empowering them to grow in Michigan and build on our economic momentum,? said?*Governor Whitmer*. ?I was proud to work across the aisle to establish the Growing MI Business Grant so businesses could receive real relief, hire more workers, and expand their operations.?Last year, our state experienced record economic growth and added 220,000 jobs as unemployment dropped to a pandemic low, and this program will help businesses continue to grow and thrive. This is what is possible when we work together to grow our economy, create and protect good-paying jobs, and provide real relief for business owners as they invest in our communities.?

Under the Growing MI Business Grant Program, eligible businesses in operation before Oct. 1, 2019, could receive a grant up to $5 million to hire additional staff to fill open positions, renovate or expand their business, or improve operations as they emerged out of the pandemic. Eligible businesses that began operating between Oct. 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020, could receive a grant equal to 25% of certain specified costs.

Under state law, nine business types were eligible to apply for a grant:?


* Entertainment venues

* Recreational facilities and public places of amusement
* Barbers and cosmetologists
* Exercise facilities
* Food service establishments
* Nursery dealers and growers

* Athletic trainers
* Body art facilities
* Hotels and bed & breakfast establishments

Interested businesses were required to submit a completed online application to the Michigan Department of Treasury by March 31. Grant award notifications and payments to businesses will be distributed around July 1, 2022.

?Our top goal is to help eligible Michigan businesses receive relief so they can prosper in our economy after the pandemic,? said?*State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks*. ?We carefully worked with our business partners in the private and public sectors to ensure everyone was aware of the Growing MI Business Grant Program and helped businesses navigate through the application process. I encourage businesses with questions about their grant awards to reach out to us.?

Additional information about the Growing MI Business Grant Program can be found on the?Growing MI Business Grant Program [ [link removed] ]?website. Individuals with questions about this grant program should [email protected] <[email protected]?subject=Apply%20For%20Business%20Relief>?or call 1-866-507-8462.


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Michigan Education Trust Pizza Party Raises More Than $6,800 for Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund

Fostering Futures Pizza Party on the Capitol Lawn

The roughly 300 people who attended the Michigan Education Trust's 10th annual Pizza Party on the Michigan State Capitol Lawn got their fill of pizza and helped fill the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, which awards scholarships to students enrolled in Michigan college and universities who have experienced foster care.

The $6,800 raised at the Thursday, June 16, pizza party fundraiser will help make the dream of a college education a reality for students who otherwise might lack resources to pursue higher education when they age out of the foster care system.

For a minimum donation of $10, attendees received a slice of pizza, dessert and a drink.

This year, the Michigan Department of Treasury?s Black History Month Committee partnered with the Fostering Futures Scholarship to hold a celebration in honor of Juneteenth.

In addition, around 100 pillows were collected during the pizza party for The Pillow Effect, a Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative (MYOI) project. Because children entering foster care often don't have their essential personal items with them, The Pillow Effect provides pillows to foster care youth in Berrien, Calhoun, Clinton/Eaton, Ingham, Ionia/Montcalm, Jackson, Livingston and Macomb counties.

The Pizza Party on the Capitol Lawn is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Hungry Howie's, Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative, Park West Foundation, Michigan Student Financial Aid Association, Michigan College Access Network, Treasury Black History Month Program Committee, LAFCU, GUD Marketing and MSU Federal Credit Union.

To learn more about the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund or to donate, go to www.michigan.gov/fosteringfutures [ [link removed] ].


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*Fostering Futures Scholarship Application Priority Deadline; Applications Must Be Received by August 1, 2022*

Fostering Futures Deadline

The Michigan Department of Treasury reminds young adults who have experienced foster care on or after their 13th?birthday that they are eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund.

The?priority deadline for the?Fostering Futures Scholarship [ [link removed] ]?application for academic year 2022-23 is August 1, 2022. Eligible students enrolled at a Michigan degree-granting college or university may now apply to receive scholarship funds for tuition, fees, room, board, books and supplies. Applications received after August 1, 2022, may be placed on a waitlist.

?This scholarship can make a difference in the lives of our foster care youth who aspire to attend college," said Robin Lott, director of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning. "Those who have experienced foster care typically don't have the support systems in place to assist with college costs. Every dollar helps create opportunities for our youth who have experienced foster care."

Since 2012, fundraising efforts have totaled more than $1.3 million. This money has been raised through individual donations, group donations, sponsorships, ticket sales, auctions and many volunteer-based fundraising events.

Most of the funds raised have been awarded as scholarships, with a small portion being designated to an education endowment that supplies investment income for scholarships.

To learn more about the?Fostering Futures Scholarship [ [link removed] ], go to?www.fosteringfutures-mi.com [ [link removed] ].

Fostering Future Scholarship [ [link removed] ]?applicants with questions should contact the state Treasury Department's Student Scholarships and Grants area [email protected]?or call toll-free at 1-888-4-GRANTS (888-447-2687).


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Michigan Education Trust Announces More Than 36,000 People Signed Up for $1.5 Million Tuition Giveaway

MET

The Michigan Education Trust (MET) on June 14 announced more than 36,000 Michiganders have signed up for the MET 35th?Anniversary $1.5 Million Giveaway, a random, statewide drawing that families and friends can enter on behalf of a child for a chance to win one of 100 $15,000 prepaid tuition prizes.

As of mid-June, the MET 35th?Anniversary $1.5 Million Giveaway had received more than 36,700 entries.

?The response by Michiganders to this life-changing giveaway is outstanding,??*MET Executive Director Diane Brewer*?said. ?It?s exciting to see so many people enter to help children achieve their dreams. This giveaway can provide a child with a $15,000 head start toward their future. I encourage parents, grandparents and other family members and friends to go to?www.METgiveaway.com [ [link removed] ]?and enter today.?

Under MET?s giveaway, Michigan residents 18 years or older on Aug. 31, 2022, are eligible to enter on behalf of beneficiaries ages birth to 5 by the same date for a chance to win $15,000 in prepaid tuition. A person may enter only once, but multiple people may enter on behalf of the same child. The prepaid tuition prize may be used to pay for future tuition and mandatory fees at a community college, college, university or technical school in accordance with MET terms and conditions.

The giveaway is not being funded by state tax dollars. A prudent investment strategy over the last decade has resulted in?a record surplus for MET, which?can now be used to invest in?Michiganders. Earlier this year, the MET?Board of Directors unanimously?agreed to use a portion of the surplus to elevate awareness of MET and provide more Michigan children with access to higher education that will help them prepare to compete in a modern workforce and solve future challenges.?

Giveaway entry began May 26 and ends on Aug. 31, 2022. Winners will be announced in a series of drawings beginning Sept. 12. Michiganders can enter the giveaway and review rules and eligibility criteria at?www.METgiveaway.com [ [link removed] ].


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*State Treasury Department Providing Individuals, Businesses Tax Relief due to Governor?s Emergency Declaration in Otsego County*

Tornado

With?Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declaring a ?state of emergency? for Otsego County on May 20 [ [link removed] ], the Michigan Department of Treasury is providing an opportunity for tornado survivors to obtain tax relief.

Individual and business taxpayers who reside in Otsego County can request additional time to file state tax returns and pay state tax bills, with penalties and interest waived. The northern Michigan county has been severely affected by an EF-3 tornado, destroying homes and businesses and causing widespread property damage.

?Families and businesses in Otsego County need relief to recover from this tornado,? Whitmer said. ?The last thing a tornado survivor should worry about right now is paying a state tax bill. Taxpayers need to focus on their recovery and there will not be any late penalties or interest if taxpayers need more time to file and pay because of the tornado. We will get through this challenge together.???

Individuals unable to meet filing or payment deadlines due to this emergency should contact Treasury at 517-636-4486. Businesses are asked to call 517-636-6925.

In addition, affected taxpayers may write to Treasury to request emergency-related tax relief. When writing, the following must be included in the correspondence:


* Name and account number of the individual or business taxpayer.
* Reason for the relief request.
* Taxpayer address within one emergency area or address of the tax preparer located in the emergency area.

Taxpayers should send the completed correspondence to the following address:

Michigan Department of Treasury
Attn: Disaster Tax Relief
Lansing, Michigan 48922

?A natural disaster can be devastating both personally and financially,? State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. ?By providing tax relief, tornado survivors will have more time to focus on recovering and getting their lives back to a sense of normalcy. Taxpayers should reach out to us to learn more about the process for obtaining this relief.??

Some taxpayers may receive a preliminary assessment notice before a tax relief request is formally received by Treasury. Taxpayers within the emergency area who receive these notices should contact Treasury by phone to resolve.

To learn more about Michigan?s tax system, go to?www.michigan.gov/taxes [ [link removed] ].


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Blakeney Named State Administrative Manager Over Continuous Improvement and Engagement Division

Blakeney

Scott Blakeney has been selected as Treasury's new state administrative manager over the Continuous Improvement and Engagement Division (CIED). Scott previously worked as the executive director of IKUS Life Enrichment Services & Indian Trails Camp, where he utilized continuous improvement to modernize programs and services for individuals with disabilities, increased accessibility and strengthened their infrastructure.

Blakeney's proven expertise with continuous improvement and public service is evidenced by his background working for the state of Michigan (SOM). His most recent SOM position was director of strategic planning and implementation for Michigan Department of Education (MDE), where he embedded systemic infrastructure, project management, metrics and scorecards and a centralized repository to support field initiatives and agency priorities.

Scott also worked as chief operations officer of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans through Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), leading a 520-bed skilled nursing facility with 600 employees and a $46M budget.

As the director of health policy and planning and organizational optimization for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Blakeney facilitated organizational development for the $24B organization with 14,000 employees while prioritizing strategic planning, continuous improvement, workforce development, and employee engagement.

Scott received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University and is certified in strategic planning, lean methodology and Six Sigma. He is the recipient of the Governor's Exemplary Service Award and was additionally honored for outstanding service with the Legion of Merit medal from the U.S. military.

We are pleased to welcome Scott to the Treasury team, and look forward to benefitting from the depth and breadth of his experience in organizational improvement.


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Hayden Named Director for Bureau of State and Authority Finance

Hayden

Alyson Hayden has been selected to serve as Treasury's new Bureau of State and Authority Finance (BSAF) director.?Alyson previously worked as a senior vice president at Robert W. Baird & Co., serving as municipal advisor to Michigan's local units of government, school districts, and community colleges.

Alyson's previous experience includes offering comprehensive and innovative financing solutions for working capital, capital improvement, and special purposes. She is passionate about maximizing efficiencies of asset and liability portfolios and structuring financings to optimize future flexibility, minimize costs and ensure sustainability.

Alyson has worked on over $5.5 billion in bond issues for the state of Michigan, including bonds for general obligation environmental programs, the School Loan Revolving Fund, the State Building Authority, and the Michigan Strategic Fund. She has also served as advisor to numerous municipalities and school districts using the financing programs of the Michigan Finance Authority.

Since 2016, Alyson has served as the main point of contact for rating agencies on state-related credits and has played a key role in developing and implementing rating agency and investor relation strategies throughout various changes in administrative initiatives and economic environments.

Hayden served six years on the Michigan Women in Finance board, serving in the capacity of secretary, vice president and president. She received her Bachelor of Arts in finance with a minor in economics from Michigan State University.


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Johnson Named State Administrative Manager in the Tax Compliance Bureau

Johnson

The Michigan Department of Treasury is pleased to announce the selection of Diondra Johnson as State Administrative Manager 15 in the Tax Compliance Bureau.

Diondra will provide managerial oversight for Field Audit Division 1 audit teams in the Southeastern region. She has been employed with the state of Michigan, Tax Compliance Bureau for eighteen years; her most recent position as auditor manager (providing oversight of professional audit staff), along with her prior experience as a senior auditor will serve her well in this new assignment. Diondra holds a Master of Business Administration from Davenport University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University.

Diondra's strong commitment to outstanding customer service, improvement strategies, cross-forum teamwork and support of department initiatives will be an asset in her new leadership role.







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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Treasury ? Lansing, MI 48922 ? 517-335-7508
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