Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber President Arthur Havlicek spoke to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners Thursday, ahead of its vote to ask the governor for eased restrictions on businesses. He told the board the governor’s administration has missed the mark by forcing restaurants to remain at 25% capacity when much has improved since the initial days of the pandemic.
“The vast majority of other states have learned lessons from those earlier days and adopted rules that do not close down entire segments of the economy, or entire industries for indefinite periods of time,” Havlicek said. “Instead, they’ve found ways to empower their local governments and health departments to make informed decisions and allow their businesses to remain open.”
Havlicek said Berrien County, being right next to Indiana, has been especially hurt by excessive restrictions.
“Many local businesses, particularly in the leisure and hospitality industry, have been absolutely devastated by some of these decisions.”
Havlicek said he thinks a resolution from the county could help because when pressure was put on the governor in the past, it worked. He pointed to the Let Them Play protest that occurred shortly before high school sports were allowed to resume. He also asked that the county board to declare March to be Restaurant Month and encourage citizens to support their local restaurants, which the board did.
