Billboard invites Michiganders to come to Indiana
Tired of staying home during the coronavirus stay-at-home order in Michigan? A billboard along the IndianaMichigan border says come on over to the Hoosier side.
An SBC electronic billboard on southbound Interstate 69 and south of the Interstate 80/90 toll road encourages Michiganders to take a trip to Indiana, where there is currently no stayhome order.
“The Great State of Indiana welcomes Michiganders to a Free-To-Roam State. We Thank You for the Revenue!” reads the sign.
Steve Swick, president of Swick
Broadcasting Company and owner and author of the billboard, said the message is meant as a positive one to encourage Michiganders to come over to Indiana.
“We go to parks, we can go to restaurants, we can go to the lake, you can fish, you can boat, etc. Where Michigan’s Gov. Whitmer is actually locking things down even more and people are frustrated,” Swick said.
The message on the billboard has only been up since May 22, but has received plenty of attention on social media, Swick said.
Photos began circulating social media the day after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended Michigan’s stay-athome order until June 12. While the order has been extended, parts of Michigan’s economy have begun to reopen.
Indiana moved into stage three of the state’s reopening plan May 22, which allows an increase in gathering sizes, restaurants and retail can increase capacity and gyms and fitness studios are allowed to open up.
“The State of Indiana is benefiting from all the commerce it brings,” Swick said. “It is game-on here in the state of Indiana, cautiously.”
Along another border, Michiganders have been flocking to Ohio since the state began its reopening process several weeks ahead of its northern neighbor. Retailers were allowed to open beginning May 12, followed by barber shops and outdoor dining May 15.
Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order until June 12 and extended the state of emergency declaration through June 19. However, social gatherings of 10 people or less are allowed and retail is open for appointment-only shopping Tuesday.