Holland Reporter

Michigan protesters opposed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's recently extended "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order -- which, among other things, nearly halted commercial construction -- received a nod earlier today in the form of a a Tweet from President Donald Trump.

"LIBERATE MICHIGAN," Trump posted in one of his back-to-back Tweets, apparently siding with protestors who have been defying social-distancing recommendations to vent their frustration with Whitmer's stay-at-home order.

Trump also posted similar Tweets that referred to Minnesota and Virginia, where protestors are rallying together against those states' safety measures aimed at suppressing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Thursday's rowdy and not-at-all socially distant protest outside Michigan Capitol Building blocked downtown streets as participants changed "Lock her up," apparently in reference to Whitmer, according to NPR. More protests are being planned across the nation, according to CNN.

Trump's Twitter posts did not specifically mention Michigan's construction industry, but protests in the state are in response to Whitmer's order that stopped most construction activity and left customers in limbo with half-built properties exposed to the elements.

Whitmer's order, which on April 9 was extended to the end of this month, came despite calls from conservative lawmakers who recommended that Michigan at least consider reopening currently shuttered parts of the economy that could be safely reopened. Those lawmakers also recommended the state adopt looser social-distancing and hygiene protocols.

Whitmer's order does allow for a very specific type of construction projects, such as those required to maintain residential safety, sanitation and essential operations -- but nonemergency building, maintenance or improvements are barred.

Most construction projects in Michigan cannot begin or continue as long as Whitmer's order is in effect. That leaves partially done projects exposed, which trade industry workers say can potentially damage those projects.

"Future issues might come up — may not be something we see now, but it could be something we see five, 10 years down the road from now," Cam Van Koevering, a project manager for Jenison-based Marcusse Construction, told WoodTV earlier this month. "Our biggest concern is getting homes ready for people to live in. People who have anxiety throughout the build about trying to get into their new home — they’re not able to know where their next place to live is."

No state that borders Michigan has halted commercial construction. Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio all list construction as an essential service.

More than $1.8 billion in projects, "from sidewalks to libraries, manufacturing facilities to playgrounds," have been delayed in the state, a recent Crain's Detroit report said.