Monthly Archives

April 2020

Apr 25
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TREE CARE INDUSTRY BACK TO WORK

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We just wanted to take a moment to share an update we recently received for the Tree/Landscaping businesses that we insure.  Stay Safe!

ISA Michigan Members and Industry Colleagues:

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a revised stay-at-home order Friday, reopening several businesses in the process. The updated Executive Order, includes landscaping/tree care as a low risk industry regarding Covid-19, per OSHA.

Please read the Executive Order (EO) carefully, line by line, and follow the recommended PPE and related Safe Work Guidelines to protect employees and the public.  If we don’t follow the proper safety procedures, we could go under another stay at home order. For reference, landscaping services is located in line 10c of the EO.

Remember:

  • Limit contact with clients
  • Wear PPE
  • Provide extra sanitation efforts on any shared equipment
  • Be safe in the trees and on the ground

It is vital as leaders of your business operations that you please make sure that your employees are seen following social distancing rules, wearing masks and that you are screening your team as the CDC requires upon arriving for work each day. You should also review your county Department of Health’s recommendations for working safely. You must obey all parts of the Executive Order.

As we reintegrate into our world of production tree care that we do not lose sight of proper safety practices. Consider registering for our free Safety Awareness-Back to Workplace Mindset webinar on April 29, 2020. It’s a 1-hour presentation that will provide important reminders about work and personal controls in safety: engineering, administrative, and PPE. Join our Panelists for an in-depth discussion on how these controls work and how they affect everyone from owner to the crew.

Thank you and Stay Safe,

Brian Barnard
President, ISA Michigan

Annie Kruise
Executive Director, ISA Michigan

For additional resources to help your business and timely updates on what is happening with ISA Michigan during this pandemic, please visit the Covid-19 Update page on our website. Feel free to reach out to us at any time via the links above or at 517-337-4999.

 

Apr 09
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Surviving as a Small Business Through Difficult Times

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The COVID-19 pandemic has hit a lot of small businesses hard since many have had to close down temporarily to help slow the spread of the virus.  There are a growing number of resources available to assist you if your business is one that will be recovering from economic losses. 

Recent support came from the U.S. Small Business Administration statewide Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration, with the support of the Michigan Small Business Development Center   and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) which is the state’s lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development. 

MichiganBusiness.org reports that the “EIDL designation means that Michigan small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits that suffer substantial economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak will now have the ability to apply for low-interest loans as part of $1 billion in funding made available to the SBA by Congress earlier this month.”

Under the CARES Act, small businesses can receive up to $10M through the SBA Paycheck Protection Program. This loan can be used to pay up to 2 months payroll, rent and utilities. If at least 75% of the loan is used for payroll, then it is forgiven..you do not have to pay it back. 

For more information on the SBA loans and to get assistance you can contact Colin Hutchinson in the Kalamazoo office at (269) 231-4660

Here at Contractors Insurance Agency we wish you and your loved ones health, safety and security.  We are working remotely but we are still available to help you!  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

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