A CRISIS LIKE NO OTHER Rising to the Challenge Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
©Detroit News
The years 2020 and 2021 will forever be synonymous with crisis. Prolonged and painfully historic in magnitude and uncertainty, each week seemingly presented more tragedy, collective strain, and unprecedented challenge. Economic, Health, and Racial Crises Unfold A once-in-a-century global pandemic brought our society and economy to a sudden and uneasy halt. As these dual crises unfolded, they exposed underlying systemic flaws and inequities in our society, sometimes with deadly consequences – from hospital bedsides of dying COVID-19 patients to the knee to George Floyd’s neck as he was murdered in broad daylight on a Minneapolis street. Attack on democracy shakes nation
©Detroit Free Press
Shocked and overwhelmed, the country endured a historically divisive presidential election riddled with misinformation as voters sought safe ways to vote. Unrelenting challenges to the election results shook the nation as part of a subsequent assault on the principles of democracy culminating with a physical attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Serving Business and Beyond With a country in turmoil and lives and livelihoods in jeopardy, there simply was no playbook or script for business to follow. The times required rising to the occasion, and serving business and beyond.
©Detroit News
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FIRST QUARTER STARTS STRONG, BANNER YEAR ANTICIPATED... The first quarter of 2020 held few hints of what was to come starting off with a strong financial outlook and economic prosperity fundraising for the organization as optimism about the entire region remained high. Data from the recently released State of Education and Region reports coupled with a statewide poll on voter priorities reaffirmed the Detroit Regional Chamber’s role as a key business data source and influencer. The Detroit Policy Conference and MICHauto Summit kicked off what appeared to be a strong year of world-class convening with the Mackinac Policy Conference already on a record-breaking revenue pace. Unfortunately, the tranquility would not last.
In the state that put the world on wheels and that’s home to some of the most innovative, driven workers on the planet, we must continue to work to solidify Michigan as a global leader in mobility.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, 2020 MICHauto Summit,
where she signed executive measures creating the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification and Council on Future Mobility and Electrification
PRE-COVID-19
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COVID-19 HALTS THE WORLD, THE CHAMBER SERVES AS RESOURCE FOR EMPLOYERS SCRAMBLING TO STAY AFLOAT In what seemed like an instant, the COVID-19 virus surged in March 2020 as efforts to contain the pandemic closed businesses and brought the entire state to a standstill. As leadership grappled with the pandemic and businesses faced forced closures by executive order, the Detroit Regional Chamber adopted the “respond, restart, recover” model early to help employers navigate the ongoing challenges of the constantly changing COVID-19 environment. Launching the First COVID-19 Business Resource Website With information sparse, businesses faced uncertainty and scrambled for resources. Recognizing the critical need for reliable information, the Chamber was the first organization to launch a COVID-19 business resource website. There simply was no comparable resource in the market helping employers restart amid changing restrictions and access federal CARES Act programs. As the breadth and scope of the Chamber’s work expanded, the website evolved into a key resource for the public at large.
1,100,000+ Page Views
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12,000+
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Our main focus right now is on providing the resources businesses need to help them navigate and chart a course for the future.
Sandy K. Baruah,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND ECONOMIC HEALTH The Chamber provided a much-needed business voice in shaping Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s response through the Michigan Economic Recovery Council. Unlike some other business advocacy organizations, the Chamber recognized early on the connection between public and economic health, often taking different approaches designed to protect the public and employers, generally avoiding criticizing elected officials, and stressing the importance of public health measures as a pathway to keep businesses open. Fostering ‘Big Six’ Collaboration in Calling for Easing Office Work Restrictions In divisive times, the Chamber’s philosophy revolved around maintaining relationships and communication, even during disagreements, to ensure the business community and government continued to work together as efficiently as possible to protect public health and position the state for economic recovery. This leadership included collaboration among the “Big Six” business groups consisting of the Detroit Regional Chamber, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Lansing Regional Chamber, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Manufacturers Association, and Small Business Association of Michigan. In addition, the Chamber worked with other chambers and association partners across the state, including Business Leaders for Michigan, on specific issues. Coordinating with Government and Partners on CARES Act Support Staying in contact with the Whitmer administration, the Chamber coordinated with federal officials, the U.S. Chamber, and partners to advocate on key issues such as the CARES Act, accessing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and PPE liability issues. The Chamber remained vocal on support for federal aid to assist local and state governments and businesses working to mitigate the spread of the virus. Those efforts culminated in early 2021 with the passage of the PPE tax exemption legislation in Lansing and the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan in Washington.
The presidents and CEOs of the ‘Big Six’ business organizations told the Democratic governor that a continued prohibition on office work has become detrimental to employers and cities alike.
Chad Livengood, Crain’s Detroit Business, Feb. 23, 2021
COVID-19
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AN EARLY WORK-FROM-HOME STRATEGY AND INCREASING MEMBER ENGAGEMENT As health experts rushed to learn how best to slow COVID-19, often leading to frequent updates and recommendations, employers were tasked with providing safe work environments while facing financial challenges. Much remained unknown about the virus, how it was transmitted, and how the government would respond, sowing confusion. Leading by Example in Virus Mitigation Before the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order took effect on March 24, 2020, the Chamber led by example, implementing COVID-19 mitigation strategies throughout its workspaces, adopting a progressive work-from-home policy, and canceling corporate travel before the spring surge of cases. Adapting While Serving our membership Like most employers, the Chamber was forced to adapt as the pandemic unfolded. Utilizing the WorkShare program, the organization maintained operations without major cutbacks or laying off employees. It also reallocated staffing to create a call center to contact each of its 1,700 members at least once a month. The Chamber canceled all in-person events through 2020, a practice that helped prevent the spread of the virus. Ultimately, it earned recognition for a second consecutive year as one of the Detroit Free Press’ Top Workplaces.
There’s no question that this has been a year unlike any other, and this award reflects the work that the Chamber does and the quality of the people that contribute to it. It’s always a great honor for an organization to earn an award like this – but in these challenging times, it’s especially significant.
Ryan Maibach, President and Chief Executive Officer, Barton Malow
Holdings; Chairman, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional Chamber
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EDUCATING BUSINESS AND BEYOND, COMMUNICATING THROUGH THE MEDIA It became clear early that “business as usual” was not going to meet the moment as employers faced agonizing decisions of letting employees go as prolonged shutdowns eliminated revenue and, in many cases, prevented businesses from even operating. From March on, the Chamber served as the go-to resource for business and media for pandemic-related information, launching data and business resource centers, and hosting virtual COVID-19 town halls. Increasing Support as Unemployment SurgeD For the first time, the Chamber waived dues for members and non-members to provide flexible payment options and increase access to information and resources. As unemployment surged, the Chamber launched a job board and continued to seek ways to better serve the business community and the public while sharing critical information from health officials.
The most important thing that everyone can do right now is get their vaccine when it becomes available to them, and continue wearing their mask, washing their hands, and social distancing.
Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive, Department of Health and Human Services, during virtual town hall on Michigan’s Plan to Administer the COVID-19 Vaccine COVID-19
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BRINGING NATIONAL THOUGHTLEADERSHIP TO MICHIGAN’S RESTART Throughout the crisis, the organization adapted its efforts adopting unique strategies to serve the community. This included the “Restart Michigan” initiative to provide business resources to restart operations and return to work, which was needed to position the state and nation for economic recovery. In hosting a Restart Michigan Webinar Series free of charge, the Chamber offered access to critical information and counsel to enter the restart and recovery phases of the COVID-19 crisis. The series programming was designed specifically for business size, industry, and decision-making and featured leading experts from prominent consulting firms such as Accenture, Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, and UHY.
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LEADING THE CHARGE TO MASK UP AND KEEP BUSINESSES OPEN With each passing week, the prolonged crisis threatened the viability of more businesses, particularly those in the service, retail, and entertainment sectors that require the in-person interactions that conflicted directly with public health efforts. In July 2020, the Chamber launched a #MaskUpMichigan campaign promoting mask usage as the most effective way to keep businesses open. The campaign received more than 1,300 pledges from business and community leaders looking to help prevent additional restrictions or lockdowns that would ultimately result in more business closures and job loss.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Trevor Lauer, President and Chief Operating Officer, DTE; Christine Rice, President, VISIONIT; Hussein Berry, Vice President, Airport Operations at DTW, Delta Air Lines; Sandy Pierce, Senior Executive Vice President, Huntington; David Lewis, President, AT&T Michigan; Dug Song, Chief Strategy Officer, Cisco secure and Co-founder of Duo Security; Tricia Keith, Executive Vice President, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and President, Emerging Markets; Matt Elliott, Michigan Market President, Bank of America; Carmen Fakhoury, Founder and President, Fakhoury Global Immigration
COVID-19
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WITH THEME OF ‘RESPOND AND REBUILD’ The Chamber canceled the Mackinac Policy Conference for the first time in its history in 2020, but continued to bring national voices to the conversation. Partnering with Detroit Public Television from August through November, the Chamber hosted MPC20 Conversations – a 12-week digital series of meaningful conversations on the monumental issues and crises facing this state and country. Speakers included: Mayor Mike Duggan, Michigan’s Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, and many others.
Equity is not possible without anti-racist and anti-oppressive intention, analysis, and action.
Courtney Cogburn, Associate Professor and
Co-Director, Justice, Equity, Technology Lab, Columbia University School of Social Work
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FREQUENT POLLING CAPTURES PULSE OF MICHIGAN THROUGHOUT DIVISIVE PANDEMIC The fact that the virus surged in various regions of the state at different times led to frustration with the public health response, particularly in areas that had yet to be significantly impacted. This added strain on officials and the public alike often created division and controversy that also sowed confusion around how best to respond to the crisis.
April 2020
Releasing additional statewide polls in April, May, and December, the Chamber provided insight into the struggles of COVID-19 reflecting attitudes regarding the pandemic as a health threat, returning to work, wearing masks and vaccinations, and other issues Michiganders were facing. The information provided elected officials and employers of all sizes a clearer picture of employees’ mindsets while giving decision-makers key insight into how residents across the state were reacting to the pandemic as it evolved.
Dec. 2020
This poll puts the level of economic struggle across the state in stark relief. Poll results report 29% of respondents furloughed, laid off, or unable to work. This points to the real possibility for the official unemployment rate for April to exceed our bleakest expectations.
May 2020
Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber
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May 5, 2020
itmer e Gretchen Wh The Honorabl te of Michigan Governor, Sta 13 P.O. Box 300 48909 Lansing, MI throughout this demonstrated tively Whitmer: nor ver Go istration has . As we collec Dear p your Admin bal community ustry the leadershi omotive ind nation, and glo aut e, ’s stat gan Thank you for our chi demic, Mi the history of pan in -19 iod per VID d to the CO unparalleled workforce. dance ress and respon health and safety of our ) and the gui continue to add nt to the ation (OESA plier r commitme pliers Associ days for sup shares in you Equipment Sup minimum period of five al gin Mi Ori . As chigan s the mit a M) production MICHauto join ed April 30, 2020 to per ic activity, nufacturer (OE dat nom ma er eco lett ent s ir ipm tart the provided in of original equ y Safe” guidelines and res l be essential r to the start properly wil , Sta operations prio “Stay Home in operations e supply cha erges from the Michigan. of automotiv cautiously em mencement assembly in com icle the veh l g ly resume sequencin tion of fina e to thoughtful efficient restora tion to chain need tim to a safe and OEM produc otive supply in order for ts of the autom like their par nts p . me shi ele able to e on-line Un While all resources must first be ore OEMs com lack the vast supply chain -running bef in the , and cha ons upply rati be sup ope to the new r firms must automotive pt plie the ada e to Sup d pris . es safe s that com commence nges require lac firm cha rkp ny wo icy ma ir pol the rparts, cess, and time to make OEM counte duction, pro d additional necessary pro firms will nee to restart. to make the order. These wing OEMs rt allo sho t your in duc ind nt pro stand beh environme ned to ship ociation, we s and positio led ty cluster ass for employee riately control e and mobili pening, approp ely y automotiv saf re-o onl to sed ’s lity pha gan a e’s abi ugh As Michi ols. The stat yees safe thro e safety protoc the entire manufacturing keeping emplo priorities of -first workplac l to , and employee ate citizens will be critica e this shared objective. environments corpor achiev to our ze you h bili mo g wit prepare and ward to workin We look for community. Sincerely,
s Glenn Steven auto ector, MICH
RALLYING MICHIGAN’S SIGNATURE INDUSTRY AMID CRISIS Recognizing that prolonged closures to the state’s most critical industry would have devastating consequences, the Chamber increased efforts through MICHauto to support Michigan’s mobility and automotive sector. From asking employers to adopt personal safety protocols to advocating in Lansing, MICHauto led conversations about how manufacturers and suppliers could safely operate while doing their part to mitigate the spread of the virus. Advocating to Governor for Safe Reopening and Operations MICHauto’s efforts raised awareness about how best to keep the state’s signature industry open amid the pandemic. In July, MICHauto sent a letter to Gov. Whitmer outlining the automotive industry’s efforts to implement safe practices to keep manufacturing facilities open and operational. It also sent a letter in May that resulted in a supplier ramp-up period so the industry could safely and efficiently reopen. Convening Stakeholders to secure PPE, Share Intel
Executive Dir
MICHauto regularly convened key partners from throughout the state and region, including Business Leaders for Michigan, the Center for Automotive Research, Detroit Regional Partnership, Michigan Economic Development Corp., and Original Equipment Suppliers Association, to share information across the industry, help secure PPE, and assist companies in helping to pivot to PPE production.
On behalf of Michigan’s automotive leaders, I urge you to resist the closure of our manufacturing facilities and allow these demonstrated safety protocols to continue working to keep our businesses open.
Glenn Stevens Jr., Executive Director, MICHauto
July 16, 2020 Letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
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MAKING THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL EQUITY The murder of George Floyd shocked the country, forcing society to consider systemic racism and inequities that continue to divide the nation. The killings of Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery sparked a nationwide social justice movement with strong support from the business community, which pledged greater action to achieve social justice and racial equity. Looking in the Mirror and Holding Ourselves Accountable From using its communications platforms and creating a Racial Justice and Economic Equity Steering Committee to a partnership with the Gallup Center on Black Voices, the Chamber increased ongoing efforts and promoted the case for equity. The Chamber created board-level and internal staff committees to hold the organization accountable for increasing inclusion and equity in hiring practices.
We recognize that we have not always been leaders in issues of racial justice and our road to address our own shortcomings is substantial. We don’t have sufficient diversity in our executive ranks and among our board members.
Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber October Detroiter Magazine
Racial justice
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POLITICAL INSTABILITY AND THE ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY Too many of our elected leaders not only did too little to thwart the violence at the Capitol but propagated the falsehood that the 2020 election was not valid or somehow stolen. The Chamber respects leaders with different policy approaches, but expects all leaders not to traffic in falsehoods, to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, to respect the will of Michigan voters.
Statement from Chamber Political Action Committee Jan. 21, 2021
The divisive presidential election was plagued by misinformation and further complicated by the challenges of voting safely amid a pandemic. Following damaging and unfounded claims of voter fraud and other seditious acts, that culminated with the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the Chamber PAC reevaluated its endorsement criteria to take into consideration past or future actions by candidates that go against democratic principles and threaten the will of voters. Recognizing the Validity of the Election After the election was called for President-elect Biden, the Chamber stressed the importance of a peaceful transition and recognition of the integrity and validity of the vote. Supporting Lawmakers Willing to Defend Democracy and Voter Rights It also rallied the business community and called on state and federal lawmakers to defend the principles of democracy and voting access. That work continues today through the advocacy team’s work on voting rights legislation in 2021.
I never once imagined what we are witnessing today would be possible. Fellow Americans turned into mobs by the words of purported national leaders is not just unprecedented, but in fact, a direct threat to our democracy. Jan. 7, 2021
Sandy K. Baruah
President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber
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The peaceful transfer of presidential power is a hallowed American tradition, although a tradition with unprecedented pressures in 2021. While America’s political discourse has seldom been coarser and perspectives more polarized, the inauguration of Joe Biden as our 46th president offers hope. Jan. 20, 2021 following inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris
DRIVING UNPRECEDENTED COLLABORATION TOWARD EDUCATION ATTAINMENT GOALS Providing the leading talent and education portfolio in the state, the Chamber’s education attainment work took on increased importance as the pandemic caused significant enrollment declines. The Chamber team ramped up efforts to increase postsecondary credentials and close the racial equity gap – two key goals to mitigate future talent pipeline challenges. Supporting Education Access and Virtual Learning
DETROIT
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As the crisis exposed systemic inequities, the Chamber stepped up to provide Detroit Promise students access to virtual learning and supported efforts like Futures for Frontliners scholarship program to help essential workers pursue further education. It also engaged students directly to increase FAFSA completions, which helps students secure financial aid and directly increases college enrollment. The Discover Auto series, which exposes students to exciting career opportunities, switched to virtual platforms.
It’s really about creating opportunity for more people to find meaningful work, regardless of the situation in which they find themselves.
Peter Quigley, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Kelly; Chairman, Chamber’s newly formed CEO Talent Council
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DOING OUR PART UNTIL WE CAN MEET AGAIN The Detroit Regional Chamber announced its COVID-19 mitigation strategy on Feb. 28, 2020 well before most other organizations.
detroitchamber.com