"August is the border between summer and autumn; it is the most beautiful month I know." ~ Tove Jansson~
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The Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Council continues to provide regular updates and information for all of our newsletter subscribers and chamber partners. If you have business or community updates, events, or other informational items to share please let us know! Let's work together to keep Whitewater a great place to work, live, learn, celebrate, and grow! |
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Chamber Events & Happenings |
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New Whitewater Cares Posters Available for posting in your business.
If you are interested in having one of the new posters for your business contact the Chamber! You can come pick it up or we can deliver one to you.
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We would like to thank everyone who attended Maxwell Street Days and Art on the Green at the CAC on August 6th & 7th. We would also like to thank our annual sponsors for their support in helping us host these community events! We look forward to our fall activities . . . stayed tuned! |
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Event Sponsorship Opportunities |
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Sponsorship opportunities are still available for our two premier fall events!
Show your support for the community and become a sponsor today!
Click the links below for the sponsorship commitment form.
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October 15th & 16th
October is the perfect time for spooky, fun adventures! Enjoy a night of spirit-related stories and unique, behind-the-scenes access to explore haunted sites throughout Whitewater.
Many of the haunted sites on the Spirit Tour have been investigated by paranormal groups. U.S. Paranormal Research not only shares their investigative findings of paranormal activities in Whitewater but also brings their equipment along on the tour just in case there is spiritual activity to witness firsthand!
New this Year . . . a walking tour on Friday night!
Tickets are available NOW!
- Bus tour tickets will be $40 General Admission & $35 Student Admission
- Walking tour on Friday night will be $30 General Admission & $25 Student Admission (limited to 20 participants)
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New Festival
Coming to Whitewater!
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Grab your imagination and join us for our inaugural
Whitewater Storytelling Festival!
October 15th - 17th, 2021
Campfire stories on Friday night, Storytellers, children's story crafts, authors fair, story walk, art exhibits, workshops, and more!
Check out the website for more details.
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Community Events & Announcements |
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Walworth County Division of Public Health has launched their 2021 Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Planning Cycle with the theme: Connecting Communities.
Here is how you can get involved:
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Complete a Community Health Survey: https://bit.ly/2VELNzc
- Help spread the word about the Community Health Assessment by:
- Follow Health and Human Services on Facebook and share posts on your social media account.
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Post printed material in your offices. (Flyers attached).
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Visit the Community Health Assessment and Improvement page, www.co.walworth.wi.us/CHA-CHIP, and stay current on the progress and new ways to become involved in the health of your community.
Thank you for all you do to help create a healthy and thriving Walworth County!
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Arts, Music & Theater Happenings |
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CONCERTS IN THE PARK & FAMILY FUN NIGHTS
TUESDAY’S @ 5:30 PM Begining on July 6th!
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We are over the moon excited to utilize our new Frawley Family Amphitheater at Cravath Lakefront Park. Tuesday Nights at 5:30 pm the park will be filled with free community fun!
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"Full Bleed" Exhibit by Jim Ford
- August 4 - August 27
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Virtual Reception: Wednesday, August 11, 5 PM, FB Live
- Milwaukee based artist
- Modern-abstract art in the form of paintings, collages, digital art
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Chamber Partner News & Information |
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A Project on Community Grief & Loss |
The United Way has partnered with Rainbow Hospice to reach out extensively across our communities to gather feedback on how individuals have experienced, and are addressing, grief and loss.
The past 18 months have impacted us ALL and we've ALL experienced a level of loss in some form. The amazing team at Rainbow Hospice wants to help people, organizations and businesses recognize that any form of loss deserves to be acknowledged, mourned, and addressed. Survey respondents will be contacted, if desired, with next steps and resources.
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Participants Needed for a Study Investigating Privacy & Security in Smart Medical Devices
Researchers in Gerontology and Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are conducting a study to investigate privacy and security of smart medical devices. They are seeking older Wisconsinites who are willing to participate in an interview about their use of smart medical devices. A smart medical device monitors personal health information and is equipped with wireless technology; it includes things such as a smart glucose monitor, smart watch, smart hearing aid, smart glasses, etc.
To participate in the interview study, you must live in Wisconsin, be age 60+, use two or more smart medical devices, speak and read English, and be in good health. If you are interested, please complete this 4-minute survey or call the research team at 262-472-1162 to confirm your eligibility. Researchers are conducting phone or virtual interviews between August and December 2021. Interviews are 60-90 minutes and dates/times of interviews are flexible. Interview participants will receive a $25 gift card
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Many businesses in Whitewater are hiring right now! If you or someone you know is searching for work pass the word. Visit each businesses website for details on the positions they are hiring for. |
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Education & Training Opportunities |
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Downtown Whitewater, Inc. and Wisconsin DATCP offering
Virtual Community Training Classes
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Landlord Tenant Law
9/17/21 @ 11:00am
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Home Improvement Contracts
9/29/21 @ 6:30pm
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Business ID Theft
11/3/21 @ 8:00am
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Entrepreneurs and inventors:
Learn about intellectual property strategy August 18 – 20 at Invention-Con 2021
If you are an entrepreneur, small business owner, or independent inventor, your creative work is among your most valuable assets. Don’t miss your chance to learn how different types of intellectual property (IP), such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights, are critical to your business strategy.
Presentations and workshops will cover:
- Putting your creativity to work
- How to safeguard your work with different types of IP protection: Patents, trademarks, and copyrights
- How creativity and IP apply in fields as varied as artificial intelligence, robotics, fashion, music, and literature
- Marketing, manufacturing, and how you can build a competitive advantage around your ideas
- Fun free educational resources for kids and teens
- Insights from the USPTO experts who examine patent applications
- Innovation and the fight against COVID-19
- And much more
Invention-Con 2021 will also include a wide range of virtual resource booths from the USPTO and other federal government agencies.
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The Business Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin has initiated a program to provide free legal consultation on business matters to small businesses and their owners. This free consultation is provided virtually so this service is accessible statewide.
Business owners and organizations needing free non-litigation business law services they could not otherwise afford can set up a virtual appointment with a volunteer attorney with business law experience. The Section is particularly interested in assisting those who are low-income or serving low-income communities. Please see Small business assistance which outlines the program and the process.
Services: Eligible participants can receive brief assistance on a wide variety of business law matters including:
- Finance and lending
- Insurance claims/coverage
- Commercial leases and contracts
- Tax
- Labor and employment
- Real estate
- Commercial debtor/creditor
- Regulatory compliance, including privacy and COVID-19 related requirements
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Build, Grow, and Boost
Your Small Business Online
Navigating how to effectively start or develop your business online can be overwhelming. We are here to help guide you through this process by identifying the best solutions for your unique e-commerce needs and providing you with a roadmap to implement an effective online strategy.
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Upcoming Partner Training
Aug 16, 8:30am - 5pm (online)
Aug 16, 6 - 8 pm (online)
A Roadmap to Developing Successful Teams and Partnerships (with WPI)
9 am - 12 pm (online)
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Looking to improved your skills in the workplace? Here are some of the popular options:
Do you own your own business or volunteer for an organization? How about one of these courses:
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Entrepreneurship Education
Training Programs Lending, Coaching, Financial Impact
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WUSD Launching
Youth Apprenticeship Program
Is your business/company looking for young eager workers, ready to learn your trade? Then you may be interested in this program. More details here.
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Thurs., August 19, 2021, 10am-1pm |
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ARE YOU SHORT-STAFFED?
Good news. The WCEDA Job Fairs are back in person! Our job fairs have proven to be successful in the past, so don't wait to reserve your booth! This time we have partnered with the Elkhorn Area School District who will be hosting the fair at the West Side Elementary School.
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WI Humanities Recovery Grants
The National Endowment for the Arts and the WI Humanities organization are making available funds to help the arts and culture sector recover from pandemic disruptions. Click the image above for details on their grant programs.
Deadline to apply is October 15th
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SBA Announces Plan to Open Supplemental Grants for Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Applicants |
The SBA is also currently accepting applications through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Forgiveness Portal which is a streamlined application portal that allows borrowers with PPP loans $150,000 or less through participating lenders to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA.
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$10,000 Main Street Bounceback Grants Available. |
Restaurant owners start with a dream of turning their passion into their profession. However, there are many aspects of running a profitable restaurant — made even more challenging by the pandemic. Stretched thin by multiple demands, owners do not always have the resources available to operate at peak profitability. We are here to help with free, expert consulting. |
For more information on the Wisconsin Restaurant Initiative, contact Jason Schleip by email at: [email protected], via phone at 608-215-3915.
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Funding Opportunity:
USDA Grant Program
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USDA recently launched the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant program to help rural communities identify and maximize local assets and connect to networks and industry clusters within their region.
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24/7 Access to Small Business Resources |
Initiate is an online business resource with over 100 interactive tools, templates, videos, and guides. Exclusively available to small businesses working with participating organizations, such as WWBIC. More details here!
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Healthy Workplaces & Communities
Information & Updates to Keep Our Community Safe & Healthy
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If you or a business you know are in need of assistance please reach out!
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Regional Food System Plan
Virtual Public Meetings
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The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission has begun work on a Regional Food System Plan, and we need your input! This plan is aimed at increasing food access, reducing economic and health disparities, supporting locally owned and sustainably operated farms, preserving productive agricultural land and sensitive natural resources, and connecting the stakeholders throughout the Region that produce, process, distribute, and consume food. We invite you to attend a virtual public meeting to learn about the Region’s food system and provide input on what you’d like to see included in the Plan. |
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New County Recognition Program
Businesses that follow the County's Covid-19 Guidelines benefit the community in the following ways:
- Supports a sooner return to normal post-pandemic
- Help keep businesses open and thriving.
- Reduces risk of illness among employees (Less sick time/time off taken)
- Allows for other businesses to observe and implement best practices in promoting health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Essentially, this is a stamp of approval that lets your customers and employees know that you are protecting their safety. If you would like to apply for the county's Business Recognition Program, click HERE. There are no costs for the program, and the application only takes a few minutes to complete.
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Workplace outbreak guidance
The Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) have released guidance for employers related to preventing and managing COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace.
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Walworth County Public Health offering on-site vaccine clinic opportunities at YOUR
business or organization
Typically, facilities need a space large enough to have about 15-20 people, socially distanced, at a time. A large break room, outdoor space, or training room would work. If interested fill out a request form (link below).
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Did you know? Eligible businesses that allow employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine can receive a tax credit. Partner with a vaccine provider to host an on-site vaccination clinic.
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Discover Whitewater
Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce
Whitewater, WI 53190
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