The Chamber’s priorities for regional and local advocacy have been further honed by business leaders to focus on the elements that are critical to vibrancy.
Read the full summary on what our team has been up to in Q3 here.
Lame Duck Approaching – One Big Thing!
Absent legislative action, significant changes in minimum wage, the tip credit, and paid sick leave will go into effect February 21, 2025. Achieving amendments that work for small businesses and their employees is our top priority for the fall.
The Grand Rapids Chamber, along with our partners at the Small Business Association, Michigan Chamber, Detroit Chamber, Michigan Manufacturing Association, and Business Leaders for Michigan, have met with more than 50 legislators to discuss the paid sick leave provisions in the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA).
We’ve found that, despite its potential impact, there is less understanding around paid sick leave. To address this, we’ve been providing education and acting as a resource for legislators. Our coalition has stressed that while we are not seeking to reduce benefits, we are working to make implementation more manageable, particularly for small businesses.
What we’re asking: We’re urging lawmakers to make 5 key changes to make ESTA more workable for employers and employees.
- Exempt plans that meet or exceed the mandated 72 hours.
- Exempt small businesses and certain workers.
- Require time to be used in full-/half-day increments and allow employers to require advanced notice.
- Eliminate private right of action and rebuttable presumption.
- Allow employers to frontload 72-hours at the start of the year.
Based on the meetings we’ve had so far, it appears there is a willingness to make changes but nothing concrete has been decided by leadership and there is no clear direction regarding their priorities. It’s time to figure this out.
With few legislative session days left, your voice is critical to ensure a balanced outcome. Let your lawmakers know how these changes will impact your business or industry. Here’s what our members are saying:
- Small Businesses Respond to Minimum Wage, Tip Credit, and Paid Sick Leave
- Kent County Craft Beverage Producers’ Urgent Letter to Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks.
To take action, visit our Save MI Small Business webpage. This page has links to multiple resources including the easiest way to contact your legislator directly.
Other Legislative Proposals that We Are Actively Monitoring
Economic Development: SBs 579-581 intends to modify the ‘Good Jobs for Michigan’ program. SBs 559 & 562 intends to modify the “Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve” fund.
- Status: SBs 579-581 has passed the Senate and has been referred to the House Committee on Economic Development and Small Business. SBs 559 & 562 have passed the Senate and House Committee on Economic Development and Small Business and awaits a vote on the House Floor.
- GR Chamber position: neutral/non-position on both
HB 5827: While the current language only increases maximum number of benefit weeks to 26, Senate has been working on language that would also increase weekly benefit amounts and increase the taxable wage base (along with other increases). HB 5827 would allow the Senate to amend language with these increases without a new bill.
- Status: Passed the House and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Labor.
- GR Chamber position: Opposed
SBs 740 & 895: Creation of ratios for plumbing and electrical tradespeople for the number of apprentices that can operate under the supervision of one journeyman or master. SB 740 creates a 2:1 ratio where no more than 2 apprentices can work with the oversight of a licensed plumber (no current ratio exists). SB 895 expands the ratio for electricians to a 1:1 ratio (current ratio is 3:1).
- Status: Both bills have passed the Senate. SB 740 has passed the House Labor Committee and awaits a vote on the House Floor. SB 895 currently sits in House Labor, where we expect it to be voted on in Lame Duck.
- GR Chamber position: Opposed to both
SBs 332-333 & HBs 4574-4575: Creation of the Family Leave Optimal Coverage (MI-FLOC) benefit. Under the bill, employees would be permitted to take up to 15 weeks paid intermittent leave. Costs associated under this program will be administered through a new state department funded through increased taxes imposed by the employer. Those taxes can be shared with the employee (as decided by the employer).
- Status: Senate bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services. House bills have been referred to the House Committee on Labor.
- GR Chamber position: Opposed to all
SBs 605-611 & HBs 5241-5247: The proposed bills will hinder shared community priorities to return blighted properties to safe, active use.
- Status: Senate bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment. House bills have been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation.
- GR Chamber position: Opposed to all
SB 334: Creation of ratios for amount of nurses per patient (depending on type of medical care).
- Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs.
- GR Chamber position: Opposed
HB 5333: Proposed increase on the State trash tipping fees.
- Status: Referred to House Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation.
- GR Chamber position: Opposed
SB 171 & HBs 4237 & 5533: The repeal of the local government labor regulatory act, also known as ‘local preemption’. The repeal of this act would allow for local governments to create a patchwork scheme of complicated new mandates.
- Status: SB 171 has passed the Senate Labor committee and awaits a vote on the Senate Floor. HB 4237 and 5533 have been referred to the House Committee on Labor.
- GR Chamber position: Opposed to both
28 Days and Counting
The November 5th General Election is fast approaching and the Friends of West Michigan Business PAC has been actively supporting pro-business candidates for local, state, and federal offices. The PAC has put together a 2024 Voter Guide for our members to reference in which candidates were endorsed.
For more information or questions pertaining to joining the PAC or the endorsement process, please contact Marcus Keech, Director of Government Affairs at marcus@grandrapids.org.
Dash of Data: Downtown Office Vacancy Rates
Source: DGRI – Downtown Vitals Report, August 2024
Change in Parking for Commercial Businesses Coming to Grand Rapids
The Grand Rapids City Commission recently approved amending the city’s zoning code to change restrictions on parking for commercial buildings. The Grand Rapids Chamber issued a letter of support for this amendment.
The change would remove the onsite parking maximum of one space for every 1,000 square feet for commercial office buildings. In some instances, this could triple the amount of allowable onsite parking for commercial buildings. This change will remove a major impediment and provide the necessary flexibility for structure parking for employees, clients and more.
The Grand Rapids Chamber also held a coffee hour and meeting in September with the new Mobile GR Director Jessica Smith and her team, giving members the opportunity to meet the new director and discuss the issues they face when it comes to parking in the city.
Community Master Plan
The City of Grand Rapids has posted its draft Community Master Plan and are asking for public comment. The Master Plan sets the priorities and objectives that the city will focus on and strive for over the next 20 years, so it is important that they hear your thoughts as they work to finalize the plan.
The plan has five main focus areas, those being:
- Great Neighborhoods
- Vital Business Districts
- A Strong Economy
- Balanced Mobility
- Development Character
The public comment session ends on October 16, and the planning commission will hold a public hearing on October 24. Following that, the City Commission will hold a public hearing currently scheduled for November 19, before voting to adopt the plan in December.
You can view the draft plan and submit comments on Grand Rapids’ Community Master Plan Updates page.
Corridor Investment Proposed for Plainfield
A newly proposed project would bring new housing opportunities to an underutilized part of the Plainfield corridor.
The project is seeking to use the Brownfield Tax Increment Financing for Housing that the Chamber led the legislative push on and is aligned with Housing Next’s focus on infill development on existing infrastructure.
Read more here.
Riverfront Projects Shaping an Exciting Future
Another transformational investment was announced in September that will reshape the Grand Rapids skyline and bridge a missing gap in the exciting work happening up and down the river. We want to say THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the “Destination Kent” effort to pass the Kent County Sports & Entertainment Facilities Proposal that is providing necessary public financing for the Acrisure Amphitheater and proposed soccer stadium.
These community-owned and operated assets will bring more than a billion dollars in new economic activity. The benefits extend far beyond the borders of the project and will support a vibrant restaurant scene, new public spaces and housing development.
Our region is extremely fortunate to continue to build community through public-private partnerships. You can follow along with these and many more exciting stories at www.grandriverfront.com – a new site that will serve as a collaborative hub for aggregating stories, updates, and information about the exciting developments happening along the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids and beyond.
Dash of Data: DDA Visitor Activity
Source: DGRI – Downtown Vitals Report, August 2024
Membership Survey: 2025-2026 Legislative Priorities
The mission of the Grand Rapids Chamber is to create a thriving and prosperous West Michigan for ALL.
To help deliver on this mission, the Chamber’s Public Policy Committee is preparing our 2025-2026 Legislative Priorities. The Committee wants member input to accurately illustrate the needs of the greater Grand Rapids business community.
You should have received the email. If not, please check your email filter for an email from andy@grandrapids.org.
Please take this quick survey to help shape our business community priorities!
MIOSHA Announces $500,000 in Grant Funding
Available to Small Businesses for Enhanced Worker Protections
Small businesses in Michigan with 250 employees or fewer can now apply for a Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) matching grant up to $5,000 to purchase equipment and associated training they need to improve the safety and health of their employees.
The new grant cycle began on Oct. 1, and grants will be awarded until funds are exhausted.
MIOSHA encourages new applicants to take advantage of this program, with preference given to employers in high-hazard industries. These include industries and hazards such as amputations, cannabis, heat-related illness, trenching, and excavation, among others.
For more information about the MIWISH grant program and how to apply, visit michigan.gov/mioshagrants or contact MIOSHA’s grant administrator at 269-275-7155.
