April 2021 Edition This Edition of Commerce Commentary Is Sponsored By
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Commerce Commentary Westland Chamber of Commerce Newsletter Serving the Business Community for 59 Years April 2021 Edition This edition of Commerce Commentary is sponsored by Virtual•After•Hours on April 20 2021 GOLF CLASSIC THANK YOU TO Grab a beverage and snack and join us for a virtual After Hours OUR SPONSORS! event on Tuesday, April 20 from 5:30-6:30 pm. Watch for an event email, then RSVP and you’ll get an email back with the event link. SEE PAGE 11 24 HOUR Great Service is No Accident EMERGENCY WESTLAND CAR CARE Call us at ROAD SERVICE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP We are here westlandcarcaretowing.com 866 CAR CARE for you. 36900 Ford Road • Westland, Michigan 48185 (734) 326-7222 • www.westlandchamber.com Page 2 Westland Chamber of Commerce Hi2lla0ry2 S1to nBe, oChaairpder son f Directors Re/Max Cornerstone .....................734-855-9500 Don Nicholson, Chairperson Elect Don Nicholson Enterprises ..........734-658-5296 Sande Godbout , Immediate Past Chair and Vice Chair of Marketing & Membership April 2021 Board Brief St. John’s Episcopal Church ..........313-550-7498 Danielle Strachan, Vice Chair of Finance and CByo Mvichiadel M1. 9M c-N aOmanrae, F aYusoenea Bro hLn, LaLtP.er Operations/Treasurer As we reach one year of the COVID 19 pandemic it is a good time to Community Choice Credit Union... .877-243-2528 ext. 1944 look back at all of the changes over the last twelve months. We once took for granted in person visits, dining, shopping and doing business face to Sharon P. Scott, Vice Chair of Business & face. It is safe to say that the pandemic has impacted everyone and how we Economic Development do business. While the availability of a vaccine provides hope for a return Wayne County Community College District to personal contact, we must still practice being safe with masks, social dis - .......................................................734-722-4651 tancing and hand washing. The law firm of Fausone Bohn, LLP has adapted to the changes required as a result of the pandemic. Maria Mitter , Vice Chair of At the law firm of Fausone Bohn, LLP we have limited staff in the office Community and Educational Development and are following the CDC and MDHHS guidelines. Working remotely Wayne-Westland Community School District .......................................................734-419-2036 from home is now not only common but encouraged where possible. The majority of client meetings are now remotely by zoom or other virtual plat - Michael M. McNamara, Vice Chair of forms. Courts throughout the state of Michigan have utilized this technol - Government Affairs ogy to permit lawyers and their clients to appear remotely. Remote Fausone Bohn, LLP.... ..................... 248-912-3214 participation has resulted in the elimination of travel time and expenses and increased the efficiency of lawyers so they can better serve their clients. It Dr. Amanda Apfelblat, DC, Director is anticipated that courts will continue to use remote access to promote the Michigan Chiropractic Specialists, PC ....734-838-0353 efficient administration of justice. The pandemic has changed how law is practiced over the last year. The Timothy Gilbert, Director state of Michigan administered the bar examination for new lawyers on line Koda Group, Inc. ...........................248-914-2861 for the first time in history. The Fausone Bohn, LLP law firm has seen an increase in divorces and family law cases since the stay home directives. Ricardo Seir, D.D.S., Director The number of criminal domestic violence cases has increased. Employers Parkside Dental Team ...................734-261-6060 are requesting guidance in complying with Michigan Department of Health Monica Sharf, Director and Human Services guidelines and MIOSHA requirements. The need for Services to Enhance Potential .......734-722-1000 general legal services such as estate planning, probate, business transactions and family law did not stop with the pandemic. The manner in which those Chamber Staff services are provided has changed over the last year but the work has been Gretchen Heinicke, accomplished. President and CEO ....................734-326-7222 Fausone Bohn, LLP has been helping people and businesses for over Mary Vellardita, twenty-five years. Fausone Bohn, LLP offers clients the personal attention Marketing & Membership .........734-326-7222 of a small firm, as well as the experience and resources commonly offered www.westlandchamber.com by large firms. Please contact Michael McNamara at (248) 912-3218 or www.fb-firm.com if you are in need of legal services. Westland Chamber of Commerce Page 3 The Mayor’s Corner By Westland Mayor William R. Wild Dear Chamber Member, April 2021 Spring is here and that means it’s time for the City and its community members to ramp up their spring cleaning efforts. In a coordinated effort between Westland's Public Service and Neighbor - hood Services departments, Westland kicked off the launch of a comprehensive clean-up program to address trash which has accumulated and created blight across the City. The program, called "Operation Clean Sweep" will divide the city up into five sections and employees from both departments will pick up trash along the major and local roads, city parks and any vacant commercial properties. As a result of the suspension of the 18th District Courts Work Program due to Covid-19, and recent high winds my office has received a high volume of complaints. With unseasonable mild weather, our DPS and Neighborhood Service professionals have some extra capacity before normal spring maintenance begins. I am also asking that all of our local business owners do their part to ensure their properties are clear of trash and debris. On Thursday, March 25 the United States Senate voted to extend the Paycheck Protection Program through May 31 and provide an addition 30-day period for the Small Business Administration to process applications that are still pending. If your business is in need of financial assistance, please visit www.sba.gov for more information on this program and other financial resources available to support your business. Once again I am asking Westland businesses to become a partner on a common goal of introducing Westland's young adults to the workforce. The "Wild About Youth Works!" Program aims to prepare Westland's young adults for the workforce by teaching them the virtue of a strong work ethic, good customer service skills and financial respon - sibility. If you are hiring for your business and would like to become a partner or would like more information, please call the Economic Development Director, Aubrey Berman at (734)793-3900. The City’s events team is currently working on planning its premier annual event, Blues, Brews and BBQ which is slated to take place on August 6 and 7. As in years past, thousands will be treated to some of the Detroit Blues Society’s most popular acts, amazing barbeque and a wide variety of Michigan’s most popular micro-brews and back by popular demand, a firework celebration on Saturday evening. Proceeds from this event are donated back to area non-profits and community groups who volunteer to help plan, organize and operate the event. As you determine what your annual community outreach activities and sponsorships will be, we humbly as that you consider becoming a part of this fun and charitable event. As a sponsor, your business will be promoted in a comprehensive marketing strategy that will be featured on radio, TV and creative print advertisements and signage before and during the event. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Westland Chamber of Commerce at (734)326- 7222. In case of event cancellation, sponsorship dollars will either be refunded or credited for next year’s event. Did you know that the City of Westland’s Westland Works! page is one of the most frequently visited pages on our website? Not only does this page see a great deal of traffic, but it costs you nothing to post a job opening with us. Simply fill out the form with as much detail as possible and we will post job listings for your business on our website. Westland has an incredible talent pool of hardworking individuals and we are happy to do our part to connect great job opportunities with great future employees. The City’s website www.cityofwestland.com, the City’s Facebook and Twitter and our cable station WLND remain the place to go for the latest on news, services and events happening here! Also, be sure to sign up for our E-Insider Newsletter on the city’s website to stay up to date on everything you need to know in our All American City. In closing, I greatly value the relationship the City of Westland has with its thriving business community and look forward to continued progress in the year to come! Warm regards, Mayor William R. Wild Page 4 Westland Chamber of Commerce Here are four options to Help is Here help if you are struggling to pay your energy bill. Consumers Energy wants you to 1. Call 2-1-1 or go to mi211.org for know that help is available for our help paying your energy bill. customers who are struggling to 2. Contact us at 1-800-477-5050 pay their energy bills. for flexible payment options. Whatever you’ve faced this year — 3. Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) job loss, extreme weather or other directly for bill payment assistance challenging circumstances — help at michigan.gov/mibridges. is just a phone call away. 4. Apply for a Home Heating Credit. Visit michigan.gov/treasury to see if you qualify. Call 2-1-1 for energy bill payment and other financial assistance. Westland Chamber of Commerce Page 5 New Member Spotlight Featuring Our nPamue,b Pulibclic Serevircev Circedeit UCnirone, edmibto diUes nalli othan t we hold as important in what we do for the com - munities we serve.