West Central Michigan News

With some estimates projecting the convention and meeting industry in Michigan could take three to five years to recover from the economic crisis created by restrictions related to COVID-19, the Michigan Senate recently approved legislation that had originated in the Michigan House, which would provide $4 million in financial relief to the state’s convention centers, including the new Muskegon Convention center.

Sen. Jon Bumstead (R-Newaygo) hailed what House Bill 6119 would mean for convention centers across the state that have been struggling just to stay afloat, according to MiSenateGOP. As an industry that, by its very definition, cannot operate at all under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s restrictions, the convention and meeting industry has been left with no source of revenue to sustain itself.

The next step in the legislation’s progress will be for the House to vote on changes added to the bill by the Senate.

“Like many industries, convention centers have not been able to conduct meetings or regular business and are struggling to make payments because of the reduction in revenue,” Bumstead said, according to MiSenateGOP. “This measure would help struggling convention centers survive the economic downturn resulting from the ongoing pandemic.”

The funding set aside by HB 6119 would go to the Michigan Strategic Fund, which would determine the grant recipients that would be awarded money from the $4 million, based on the impact the economic crisis has had on them.

“Many industries across the state are hurting because of this virus, and I have supported numerous measures to provide relief to Michigan businesses and families,” Bumstead told MiSenateGOP. “I will continue to support measures that will help Michiganders affected by the coronavirus get back on their feet.”