Ann Arbor Times

Despite state agencies issuing orders to restrict activities in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has decided to start the Pure Michigan advertising campaign back up again, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.

The campaign received $15 million from the 2020-21 state budget. Once funding was approved back in the fall, David Lorenz, an executive for Travel Michigan, said most of the money would be used to market activities for the spring and summer months. However, last month, the Detroit Free Press reported that Mark Burton, a top executive at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, expressed the opinion that tourism advertising should begin sooner to help with a plan for boosting the economy following the hit it took during the pandemic. 

But amid a spike in positive COVID-19 cases, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer imposed new restrictions on the state, including decreasing activities, such as entertainment venues, indoor and outdoor skating, and water parks until at least Sunday, Dec. 20. Ski resorts, at this point, are allowed to stay open, but their indoor dining, saunas and hot tubs have had to close.

"It doesn't make sense to relaunch in the winter when we have increasing COVID cases and businesses are being ordered to shut down," Michael LaFaive, a senior fiscal policy analyst for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, told Michigan Capitol Confidential.

Otie McKinley, a spokesman for MEDC, told Michigan Capitol Confidential in an e-mail that the campaign would start back up in the weeks to come. "We are focusing our advertising on getting people to travel safely and enjoy the great outdoors."

McKinley noted that even when their advertising was halted, they worked to boost small businesses and publicize the state. These efforts included a Pure Michigan Travel Guide and a "Support Local" campaign, which was an attempt to get people to support small businesses safely.