Business News for June 15, 2020
As businesses continue to reopen their doors, measures that support public health remain top of mind. Today's message includes the following:

  • Next steps for WEDC We're All In Grant (application now open)
  • Dane County Businesses Move into Phase 2
  • Re-opening Self-Assessment from Dane County Public Health
  • Remote Work Trends Survey
  • Teen Summer Entrepreneurship Academy for Credit
We're All In WEDC Grant - What's Next?
As you may know, applications are now open for the We're All In Small Business Grant Program . Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, June 23. All applications will be considered, regardless of application date.

In today's video message from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes, Missy shared more about what is next after businesses apply for the Grant, and the Grant's role as part of a larger We're All In community.

The WEDC will be gathering applications and will use a scoring process based on NACIS code, census data (focusing on economically distressed areas), whether the business has received federal funding (those who have received funding are not disqualified), and more. Grants will begin to be funded at the end of June, continuing into July.

View this and past videos though the link below.

Dane County Businesses Move into Phase 2
As of 8:00 this morning, Dane County is now in Phase 2 of Forward Dane. This recommendation is based on the Phase 1 health metrics, as monitored by Public Health Madison & Dane County.

Public Health will continue to monitor these metrics to determine how quickly the County can move into Phase 3. They note that: "it’s crucial to remember that this dangerous virus is still in our community, as evidenced by the number of new cases we’re seeing each day. 1 in 4 people who tested positive in Dane County from May 23 to June 5 didn’t know where they could’ve gotten COVID-19. A high percent of cases with no known route of disease transmission means there is likely a large number of people unknowingly spreading the disease in our community."

Key Elements of Phase 2

  • Reopening all businesses—such as restaurants, gyms, and retail establishments—to 50% capacity with certain public health requirements and physical distancing.
  • Indoor gatherings at 50 people or fewer are allowed, with physical distancing
  • Outdoor gatherings of 100 or fewer are allowed, with physical distancing.
  • Park courts and fields are open, individuals must maintain physical distancing.
  • Sports activities have updated requirements.
  • Playgrounds and splash pads are open, with physical distancing.
  • Childcare, youth settings, and schools have updated requirements.
Ready to Reopen?
This Self-Assessment Will Help With Next Steps
Whether you are deciding if you are ready to reopen or looking to improve safety protocols, this COVID-19 self-assessment, developed by Public Health Madison & Dane County, can help. Submissions are anonymous, and the self-assessment should take less than 15 minutes to complete.

At the end of the assessment, your "score" will be calculated to give you an idea of how your business is doing. The purpose of the score is to help you figure out how you can improve and is not used by PHMDC. Questions are weighted by importance.

WEDC Reopening Guidelines by Industry (now updated with checklists)
Madison Area Survey Seeks to Understand Remote Work Trends
This survey, hosted by the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board, applies to everyone in the greater Madison region. It will take 8-12 minutes to complete.  All responses are completely confidential.

Your participation is critical to understanding the unique impacts of COVID-19 on work trends in our region, as well as ways that area agencies and organizations can help employers and employees build resiliency for the future.

This survey is for all employees, managers, and executives in the greater Madison region. It will take approximately 8-12 minutes to complete and will be open through Tuesday, June 30.

Participants will be eligible to enter a prize drawing for one of six $25 VISA gift cards. 

Teen Summer Entrepreneurship Academy for Credit
Have an aspiring teen entrepreneur in your life? CEOs of Tomorrow is offering a virtual These Teens Mean Busine$$ Academy for 9th-12th graders this summer.

In this interactive, hands-on course, teens will learn the ins and outs of running their own business and earn 2 Madison College Prior Learning credits, a Digital Learning Badge, and 1 MMSD high school credit with successful completion. 

The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the  Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship  in the  University of Wisconsin System . It is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the  U.S. Small Business Administration.