Gretchen Whitmer has declared Saturday (Sept. 26) “Downtown Day” across the state of Michigan. The goal is to get Michiganders to spend time and money in downtowns that have struggled during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Whitmer’s proclamation was requested by the Michigan Downtown Association to help all struggling downtowns across the state, not just in Metro Detroit. Small businesses, shops and restaurants in cities from Ann Arbor to Dearborn to Royal Oak are hoping to get a boost Saturday. You can watch his full story in the video posted above.

ANN ARBOR – With the COVID-19 pandemic putting unprecedented strain on businesses in the retail and service industries, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed Saturday “Downtown Day.”The proclamation was a request by the Michigan Downtown Association to help support struggling downtowns across the state. Community members are encouraged to head to their respective downtowns on Saturday to shop, dine, participate in activities or volunteer. “Main Street Ann Arbor (MSAA) is very excited about the Governor declaring Sept. 26 as Downtown Day,” Sandra Andrade, executive director of Ann Arbor’s Main Street Area Association told A4 via email. We all love Ann Arbor and we need to work together to keep downtown thriving by shopping, dining, and ordering carry-out from it’s businesses.