The Merit Shop Pod

On this EMERGENCY episode of the Merit Shop Pod, State Director Jeff Wiggins relays that reports out of Lansing indicating Governor Whitmer will be lifting the prohibition on construction in the state of Michigan on May 7, via an executive order to be signed this Friday, May 1. Jeff also touches on the news that Congressman Justin Amash (I - MI3) has announced a Presidential Exploratory Committee.

On this episode of the podcast, Jeff is joined by ABC National's Vice President of Health, Safety,Environment, and Workforce Development, Greg Sizemore. Jeff and Greg discuss how ABC is serving as a leading voice in the industry with the White House and our elected officials in Washington, as well as how the Construction Industry Safety Coalition has developed prevention and protection plans for companies to implement on job sites.

Jeff also unveils the new "Back to Work, Safely" pledge from ABC Michigan that members are encouraged to take to demonstrate to our elected officials and our communities that we are ready, willing, and able to get back to work safely and responsibly, when that time comes.

On this episode of the Merit Shop Pod, we chat with Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey shortly after Governor Whitmer announced the extension of her "Stay at Home" Executive Order through April 30, 2020. We find out his initial reactions from the substance of the announcement and what it means moving forward for our state.

On this episode of the Merit Shop Pod, we are joined by John Haag, Managing Principal of the CPA firm's Midland office. John gave us a brief overview of the Paycheck Protection Program, as new details have continued to emerge daily, and took some time to answer several questions we have received from ABC members.

On this episode of the Merit Shop Pod, we provide a brief preview of Governor Whitmer's Thursday, April 1 press conference, where she'll address what's in store for the remainder of the school year. Jeff also highlights the importance of the newly established Paycheck Protection Program loans created by Congress in the CARES Act which was approved and signed by the President last week.

Please visit our COVID-19 resource website at www.abcmi.com/news/covid-19 for details on everything discussed on this episode.

On this episode of the Merit Shop Pod, we provide updates on developments that occurred over the weekend relating to the effort to combat COVID-19 in the state of Michigan. Jeff highlights the most recent update provided by Governor Whitmer, as well as providing updates on what is deemed "essential" when it comes to construction services, as well as new resources now available after Congress passed the CARES Act.

Please visit our COVID-19 resource website at www.abcmi.com/news/covid-19 for details on everything discussed on this episode.

On this episode of the Merit Shop Pod, the ABC of Michigan team is joined by Jen Schottke, VP of Operations of the ABC Western Michigan to recap the 2020 Women in Construction week. ABC chapters and members across the country organized and hosted some great events to promote women in construction and Jen shared her experiences about some of the things that happened in Michigan.

On this episode of the podcast now known as "The Merit Shop Pod," we are joined in studio by John Sellek, Founder and CEO of Harbor Strategic, a Michigan-based public affairs firm specializing in media relations, social media, influencer relations, strategic message planning and crisis communications.

John shares his insight on the Super Tuesday results from the Democratic Presidential Primary, new reforms being pushed in Washington regarding environmental reviews of infrastructure projects, and a new proposed constitutional amendment that would establish a graduated income tax structure in Michigan.

On this episode of the ABC of Michigan podcast, we sit down and chat with State Representative Beau Lafave (R-Iron Mountain), who represents the 108th district in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Jeff and Rep. Lafave discussed the most recent happenings in the Michigan Legislature, including a bipartisan package of bills to expand criminal record expungement, the latest update in the Line 5 pipeline saga, and a couple of bills that would expand hunting rights. Enjoy!

On this episode of the ABC of Michigan podcast, we head out to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, with the Mackinac Bridge and Lakes Huron and Michigan serving as our backdrop. This was the site for ABC of Michigan's 3rd Biennial Michigan Construction Leadership Summit, which provides attendees with a few days of information, training, and mentorship from industry leaders and other successful individuals about how to build their business and their community.

Specifically, this episode includes several clips from Michigan's Big Show starring Michael Patrick Shiels, as he broadcasted live from the conference on Friday, October 11. Guests include Greg Sizemore from ABC National, Jen Schottke from the ABC Western Michigan Chapter and Grand Rapids School Board member, and Steve Ford, former Hollywood actor and son of the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford. Enjoy!