COVID-19 Business Assistance Resources

Business Re-Opening Guidelines and Resources (updated 11/19/20)

With input from national and state health and industry experts and in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and our regional economic development partners, WEDC has compiled a series of industry-specific documents to help you get back to business while taking the necessary precautions to maximize safety. Following these guidelines will help us all get Wisconsin’s economy back on track. You can view these documents via the link below:

WEDC Business Reopening Guidelines

Restaurant Re-Opening Resources

WRA has developed information and resources to help restaurants think through some important issues and have useful tools on-hand to be prepared when it is possible to reopen. In partnership with the Wisconsin Restaurant Association and health officials across the State, restaurant owners and operators can make commitments to earn the Wisconsin Restaurant Promise endorsement during the COVID-19 recovery period. When customers see this endorsement, they can be certain that the restaurant is taking all necessary steps to protect their employees & customers and is committed to playing a leadership role in protecting their communities.

Learn more about the WI Restaurant Promise here: http://wirestaurant.org/resources/covid-19/resources-for-restaurants

WEDC - We’re All In Grants

Small Business Grant - Phase 2

The We’re All In small business grant - Phase 2 application period has closed. If a Phase 3 application period is opened, we will update the details below. Click here for more information on this grant: https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/wai-small-business-grant/

Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program

Gov. Tony Evers today announced the launch of a $25 million Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program for Wisconsinites who have experienced income loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Administered by the Department of Administration (DOA), the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program will provide direct financial assistance for owed rent, security deposits and wrap-around services for program-eligible individuals.

Eligible applicants must be an adult Wisconsin resident with a household income at or below 80% of the county median income in the month of or prior to the application date. Once approved, eligible individuals may receive assistance of up to $3,000 in a combination of rental payments and/or security deposits. These payments will be paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant. More details about the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program, including complete eligibility criteria, application documentation requirements and the distribution process for the rental assistance, will be shared in the upcoming days. Initial details regarding the program are available here.

Debt Relief Video Series: Preparing Your Business for Recovery

With initial rounds of federal stimulus programs in high demand and oversubscribed, WEDA is working to ensure businesses have the most recent information on existing financial tools – many of which have also been enhanced to meet the long-term cash flow needs of businesses during the COVID-19 economic recovery.

WEDA held a COVID-19 webinar (Preparing Your Business for Recovery) to help our members and the business community gain a better understanding on how to prepare in these uncertain times and how existing financial programs may help fill long-term cash flow needs of businesses across the state. The webinar was recorded and divided into the following five 10-minute on-demand videos:

The videos can also be found on WEDA’s Road to Recovery web page .

Start In Wisconsin - Madison Region

Start In Madison Region is the premier network for local businesses. For owners and startups, Start In Madison will power connections to start, scale and accelerate area entrepreneurs. For the established resource network, Start In Madison Region will be a platform to provide best fit referrals, build your network, and to showcase the story of entrepreneurship in our region. For more information, or to get connected with resources and assistance you can follow this link: https://www.startinwi.com/madison-region

Assistance for Small Businesses - PPP Loan Forgiveness Application

The application period for the SBA PPP Loans has closed. If your business received a PPP Loan during the pandemic, you can apply for forgiveness of this loan through the application below:

Click here to download the Paycheck Protection Forgiveness Loan Forgiveness Instructions and Application.

For a FAQ regarding Facts and Myths about the PPP, click here: https://www.sba.gov/document/support-ppp-myth-vs-fact

Waunakee Area Chamber of Commerce

During COVID Outbreak, Keep our Local Restaurants Busy! This list includes Village of Waunakee establishments, plus those who are outside the Village but members of the Waunakee Area Chamber of Commerce. If we are missing anyone or updates are needed, please contact Diane Anderson at the Waunakee Chamber office - (608) 849-5977 or diane@waunakeechamber.com

Restaurant Listings as of 8/11/2020

Below is a link to COVID-19 Resources posted by the Waunakee Area Chamber of Commerce:

http://www.waunakeechamber.com/covid-info

Public Health Madison and Dane County Information (PHMDC)

Below are links to documents from Public Health Madison and Dane County with information and guidelines for how to handle various business aspects during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Letter to Local Municipality Partners
An Employee at my Business Tested Positive to COVID
Best Practices for Businesses During Pandemic
Best Practices for Pick-up and Delivery

Small Business Administration Low-Interest Federal Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Wisconsin’s request for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to access low-interest federal disaster loans. Under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, businesses may qualify for up to $2 million in loans to cover losses resulting from the pandemic. The interest rate on the loans is 3.75% for for-profit businesses and 2.75% for nonprofits. Participants may be able to extend payments for up to 30 years.

For more details please read the following forms:

SBA Disaster Assistance Handout

How to Request a SBA EIDL Declaration

EIDL Frequently Asked Questions

The disaster loan application portal (www.sba.gov/disaster) is open to all Wisconsin businesses. A recent press release from Governor Evers provides a great deal of information on the process and the assistance available: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/28264fd.

Kiva Loans

Kiva is an international nonprofit with a mission to expand financial access to help under served communities thrive. Kiva lenders have shown their commitment to providing financial assistance to all by making 0% interest loans to entrepreneurs in the U.S. on Kiva.org for the last 10 years. In today’s difficult circumstances, we’d like to make it as easy and impactful as possible for small businesses in the U.S. to have access to affordable capital on the Kiva platform—capital that may be the difference between shutting down and keeping their doors open. Follow the link for more information https://www.kiva.org/blog/support-local-businesses-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

WI COVID-19 Startup Talent

COVID-19 has affected much of the startup community, so this group is quickly gathering resources to help alleviate some of the stress and hardships you may be facing. If you are seeking employment or looking to hire, please add your information via the links below:

Read more
www.wicovid19startuptalent.com

Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), Emergency Loan Fund (COVID-19)

This program makes loans between $5,000 and $10,000 for working capital to cover rent, payroll and other fixed expenses for businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 emergency. Loan application materials can be found on the Chamber’s website.

Eligible Applicants:

A for-profit business located in a low to moderate-income census tract or a minority owned business located in Wisconsin.
An existing business in operation for a minimum of two years
A business with less than 500 employees
Interest: Prime (5.50%) plus 1.5% to 5.5% depending upon underwriting
Terms: Interest only payment for the first three months; maximum amortization period subject to negotiation

Loan Package:

Loan application
Two years of Tax Returns (personal and business)
Year-end financials for 2019 requested, but not required

For more information please contact HWCC Operations Manager, Ger Thao: Email or Learn More Here

Essential Business Designations

Here is more guidance from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) regarding “essential businesses” who have some exception under the order. https://wedc.org/essentialbusiness/ . There is a form on the WEDC site for businesses to receive designation if they do not fall within the identified categories on the WEDC website.

COVID-19: International Downtown Association (IDA) Community Discussion - Communications

Every Friday, IDA will be holding a web-based open discussion with leading IDA member subject matter experts about how their city and their organization is responding to the outbreak. The quickly evolving impacts of the novel coronavirus on downtowns, center cities and neighborhood districts have all IDA members reacting in real-time.

Every Monday, IDA will also hold virtual community discussions aimed at supporting CEOs during the COVID-19 crisis.

Visit the IDA resources page that has been developed to summarize and equip members with current information and best practices in preparing for and responding to the COVID-19 in urban place management districts. Click Here to learn more.

Capitol Bank Coronavirus Relief Program

Capitol Bank has enacted a Coronavirus Relief Program, effective immediately. Their goal is to alleviate some of the financial stress and uncertainty you may be facing at this time, whether a result of illness or employment status changes. To address these hardships, thier program includes the following for eligible customers:

The suspension of late fees on past due loans for the next 60 days.
Upon request, deferred loan payments for up to 90 days on consumer, home and
business loans.
Lines of credit for businesses that have been negatively impacted.
SBA Loans for businesses that have been negatively impacted.
Debt restructuring options for businesses that have been negatively impacted.
The suspension of any foreclosure activity on homes for the next 90 days.
Actively working with borrowers to determine eligibility for loan modification.

For more information and helpful links to additional resources, please visit Capitol Banks Coronavirus Resource Center.

COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) – Resources for Manufacturers

Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) Manufacturing Solutions has compiled this partial list of resources and information to help keep yourself, employees and communities safer. There are also links for information designed support economic retention and recovery related to COVID-19 Coronavirus.

Below is a link to their page with resources that may help you as you make decisions regarding your employees, business management, supply chain and customers.

https://www.wmep.org/covid-19-coronavirus-resources/