March 30, 2021 – While Michiganders age 16+ aren’t officially eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine until April 5, Governor Whitmer this morning said providers should fill any appointments that are requested. From Crain’s Detroit Business:
With a week to go until the state is officially opening COVID-19 vaccines to anyone over age 16, the governor said providers should not turn away individuals under age 50 who are not yet eligible. “We are encouraging providers of the vaccine to fill every slot even if they don’t have someone in the priority groups right now,” Whitmer said in an interview with Crain’s. “If it is someone (age) 16 and up and they’ve got a slot that’s open, we’re encouraging them to fill them. “Because the quicker we can get to that 70 percent-plus (vaccinated) number, the better for every one of us.”
MABA continues to encourage everyone to register for a vaccine. Do so by:
Note that state officials have said it is OK, and even encouraged, to register with multiple services and cancel those you don’t use once you are scheduled.
March 26, 2021 — While the below guidance from February remains helpful in navigating the Secretary of State’s website, we have heard from many members experiencing delays in securing appointments during the past 7-10 days. This is expected to moderate over the next 1-2 weeks. In the meantime, we are working with members on an extremely limited basis to help them process absolutely critical transactions (such as for seasonal drivers who have already been hired and are not yet able to drive due to lack of a CDL). If this applies to you, reach out ASAP to us by email at maba@miagbiz.org.
February 24 — With spring fast approaching, we strongly advise anyone who will need a seasonal CDL permit or other services from the Michigan Department of State to get those items taken care of as soon as possible. Operating conditions at the Secretary of State’s office have improved since last spring, when offices were generally closed due to COVID-19. SOS offices statewide are open and appointments continue to be scheduled online. “Walk-in” services are unavailable. It is important to point out that staff members of the Secretary of State’s office and those in branch offices statewide have done world-class work the past year to keep commerce moving during the pandemic. They are working hard to help us!
It is generally possible to get an SOS appointment on the next business day; however because services are not “back to normal,” it will be important to plan ahead this year in case there are delays. MABA will not be able to help direct-process transactions this year as we did in 2020, but we will be a resource for you if you have questions about navigating Secretary of State services.
Are you trying to schedule an appointment but don’t see any availability? The first step is to check the scheduling system again at specific times. Try to secure your appointment just after 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM Eastern Time. SOS opens new appointments for the next business day at these times.
Seasonal CDL Appointments
For those needing seasonal CDL appointments, please follow these guidelines:
1. Visit the SOS online scheduling system to find a location near you; select a location.
2. Select Driver’s License/ID Replacement or Correction
3. You will see available dates and times. If the next day doesn’t appear as an option, check back at 8:00 or 12:00 daily, and/or check other locations near you.
4. Select a time for your appointment.
5. On the next page, select Adding Seasonal CDL as the purpose of the visit.
Once you make an appointment, be certain to use it. No-showing a scheduled SOS appointment will result in substantial delays.
MABA appreciates the ongoing cooperation and assistance of Department of State staff as we all navigate the pandemic. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, contact the MABA office at maba@miagbiz.org.
This media release was issued by the Agricultural Leaders of Michigan (ALM).
March 18, 2021 — The Agricultural Leaders of Michigan (ALM) today emphasized the urgent need for new federal investment to address the rural infrastructure crisis. The coalition of Michigan agriculture leaders encouraged Congress and the Biden administration to strive for a bipartisan solution that includes a focus on rural roads, bridges, rail, waterways and broadband.
“Rural Michigan is in a full-blown infrastructure crisis,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “And the needs go well beyond fixing the roads. Rural bridges and rail lines that provide critical links for commerce are falling apart. Rural families struggle to access the reliable, high-speed broadband they need for education and telemedicine. A bold, bipartisan infrastructure solution can’t come soon enough for rural America.”
Following approval of the American Rescue Plan, leaders in Congress and the Biden administration are reportedly exploring the potential for bipartisan action on infrastructure. In January, a wide range of rural and agricultural organizations – including agribusiness, farm credit, pork and dairy organizations across America – outlined the wide-ranging needs of rural communities in a letter to the Biden administration.
“Rural communities and our Michigan agriculture sector do their best to overcome challenges posed by crumbling infrastructure, but the problem isn’t going away and it’s getting worse,” said Mary Kelpinski, CEO at Michigan Pork Producers Association. “Rural Michigan desperately needs new investment to fix our roads and bridges, enhance rail service and ramp up rural broadband. A major infrastructure effort would benefit rural businesses, education, healthcare and beyond.”
“As a lender that works closely with both farmers and Main Street rural businesses, we see every day the impact of the infrastructure crisis in rural Michigan,” said Dave Armstrong, president and CEO at GreenStone Farm Credit Services. “It is essential for the agriculture industry to have access to reliable, modern infrastructure at all points on the supply chain. That reality right now – and too often – is that rural infrastructure is falling apart. The potential for a bipartisan infrastructure bill is very promising for agriculture and rural Michigan.”
“Infrastructure is a critical need across the nation and presents a bipartisan opportunity for our leaders in Washington,” said Joe Diglio, president and CEO at Michigan Milk Producers Association. “Rural Michigan is truly amid an infrastructure crisis. Our roads, bridges, rail and water systems are failing. We need help, and we are hopeful that a bipartisan solution could be on the horizon.”
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Agricultural Leaders of Michigan is a coalition of agricultural, commodity and agribusiness leaders committed to promoting Michigan agriculture, participating in the ongoing dialogue about issues affecting our state, and harnessing agriculture’s power and potential to further grow Michigan’s economy. The coalition is made up of GreenStone Farm Credit Services; the Michigan Agri-Business Association; the Michigan Milk Producers Association; and the Michigan Pork Producers Association. Learn more at www.agleadersmi.com.
March 2, 2021 — The Protect Michigan Commission encouraged Michigan’s food processing and agricultural workers to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccination appointment as eligibility expands to Michiganders working in the food and agriculture sector. The full media release is available here.
“The availability of a COVID-19 vaccine for many food and agricultural employees in Michigan is a very positive step in the process to vaccinate Michiganders, and we encourage everyone in the agriculture sector to register for the vaccine so they can receive it as soon as possible,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association and Protect Michigan Commission Rural Workgroup chair. “The Michigan Agri-Business Association appreciates our state leaders for taking decisive action to get Michiganders vaccinated. We will continue to do all we can to encourage agricultural workers and people in rural communities to get a COVID-19 vaccine.”
Eligible food and agriculture workers can register in the following ways:
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