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Here's why a billboard near Michigan's border is calling Whitmer 'Indiana Business Person of the Year'

Posted at 9:48 PM, Feb 17, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-17 22:11:13-05

(WXYZ) — A billboard near the Michigan border is calling Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Indiana's business person of the year. It's satire, meant to criticize the governor for her pandemic response – and that's not the only billboard criticizing the Whitmer's COVID lockdown.

The billboards are the work of Indiana businessman Steve Swick, owner of Swick Broadcasting Company. Swick has stations in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

Swick erected several billboards calling out Michigan's shutdown.

"I have had tremendous outreach from Michiganders, owners of small business and industry owners that are (in) total support of the billboard posts," Swick told 7 Action News. "Spent time on a call with one of the largest Michigan Banks stating her policies have destroyed the main streets of Michigan and bankrupted hundreds of former successful companies and individual employers."

High school contact sports recently were reinstated in the state, however, restaurants are still under certain pandemic restrictions such as limited capacity and a curfew.

On Wednesday, the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association released a roadmap for eventually restoring normal operation in the hospitality industry. Read the proposed plan in full here.