Business News for March 16, 2021

Today's message includes the following news, best practices, and online courses: American Rescue Plan Act Elevates Small Business Support Details Added for SBA's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Gov. Evers to Host Virtual Badger Bounceback Live Sessions; economic recovery session this week Wisconsin Adopts Broad COVID-19 Civil Liability Immunity DWD's New Interactive Map Connects Job-Seekers with Services MCDC Hosts Webinar on Starting a Worker Co-Op Upcoming Learning Opportunities: Understanding Your Investment: Building Value in Your Business (business valuation basics) Building Resilience in Stressful Times Digital Marketing & Social Media Conference

Business News, Resources, and Best Practices

American Rescue Plan Act Elevates Small Business Support Act provides opportunities for SBA to further support small businesses The recently signed American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes a variety of supports for small businesses, including: $7.25 billion additional for the Paycheck Protection Program, including to expand eligibility to additional nonprofits and digital news services Additional funds are allocated for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, and now allows businesses to apply for both a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020, and the SVOG $15 billion additional for Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance (EIDL) payments NEW: $28.6 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund for industry-focused grants   NEW: $100 million to establish a Community Navigator pilot program; grants will go to eligible organizations supporting efforts to improve access to COVID–19 pandemic assistance programs and resources.     The current SBA relief efforts can be found at www.sba.gov/coronavirusrelief, and more details about these program updates and new efforts the SBA will administer in the coming weeks. More on the American Rescue Plan Act from the SBA

Details Added for SBA's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant New e-news updates keep participants informed The SBA has added dedicated e-news updates for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG). The link below will enable you to sign up for detailed updates on program changes and announcements. SVOG Preliminary Application Checklist Sign up for SBA newsletter on SVOG

Gov. Evers to Host Virtual Badger Bounceback Live Sessions Economic recovery listening session taking place this Thursday Badger Bounceback Live Sessions will provide opportunities for Wisconsinites to discuss, provide feedback, and share personal stories on the governor’s Badger Bounceback agenda. These sessions allow participants to engage in the policymaking process as the 2021-23 budget moves through the legislative process.     The session on Economic Recovery & Opportunity will occur on Thurs., March 18, 2021, at 6 p.m. This session will cover topics such as pandemic recovery, small business support, kickstarting innovation, ensuring tax fairness and providing tax relief for Wisconsin’s working families, and investing in our agricultural economy and rural prosperity.    View full press release, including additional session topics Register to attend economic recovery session here

Wisconsin Adopts Broad COVID-19 Civil Liability Immunity Broad protection shield law for employers As of February 25, 2021, Wisconsin enacted its own COVID-19 civil liability shield law, 2021 Wisconsin Act 4 (the “Act”). Given this law - as of March 1 - an entity is immune from civil liability for the death of or injury to any individual or damages caused by an act or omission resulting in or relating to exposure, directly or indirectly, to the novel coronavirus identified as SARS−CoV−2 or COVID−19 in the course of or through the performance or provision of the entity’s functions or services. Specifically, this immunity is relevant when the entity is performing or providing the “entity’s functions or services,” and does not apply if the act or omission “involves reckless or wanton conduct or intentional misconduct.” Read more from the National Law Review

DWD's New Interactive Map Connects Job-Seekers with Services The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is launching an interactive directory of services to connect Wisconsinites with workforce programs in their area. Prior to the pandemic, job seekers and employers were directed to physical Job Center locations to learn about the different workforce services in their area. The Directory of Workforce Service offers a virtual list of available services across agencies in a map that allows job seekers and employers to learn more about workforce programs in a safe way. Services may include: job search assistance, employment services for veterans, services for laid-off workers, career and training services, and more.  DWD Press Release DWD Workforce Map

MCDC Hosts Webinar on Starting a Worker Co-Op March 24, 2021 at 6 pm The Madison Cooperative Development Coalition (MCDC) is hosting a webinar to provide basic education on cooperative businesses, highlighting the worker co-op model. They will also discusses the resources that MCDC and its partners can provide to people who want to start worker co-ops, and community-based organizations that want to support them. Register for Co-op 101

Upcoming SBDC Virtual Learning Opportunities

Understanding Your Investment: Building Value in Your Business Starts March 23

Valuing a company means looking at more than a single financial statement. Instead, valuation includes a number of both quantitative and qualitative measures that you can actively work to improve as you work both in and on your business. This course will help you learn: Whether your business is transferable or salable Business valuation approaches, methodologies and how discount rates are determined Specific strategies to implement to increase the value of your business

Learn about Understanding Your Investment & REGISTER!

Building Resilience in Stressful Times No-cost CARES Act session April 5th, or join the full class! Feeling a bit of a pandemic slump? This fun, interactive three-part course will provide you with information and tools that can help you and your team overcome burnout and lapsed motivation by building on your strengths, developing a values-based plan, and bringing awareness to your thoughts and how they drive your emotional and physical reactions. Register here for the two-hour session or the full course!

SBDC Digital Marketing and Social Media Conference 5 Social Media and Marketing Experts in One Day - April 12 This one-day virtual conference is ideal for one-person marketing departments, marketing professionals looking to expand their skills, and business owners who want to better reach their customers. This semester's all-star lineup includes: CONTENT that CONVERTS! – Chantel Soumis Voice, Values, & Visuals: 3 Branding Keys to Stand Out Online – Candy Phelps A Better Way to Calculate Social Media ROI – Spencer X Smith The Ins and Outs of Facebook Audiences – Matt Nelson 10 Social Media Tips and Strategies You Should Be Utilizing Today – Josh Klemons Use code DMSM75OFF to receive $75 off registration.

Learn more about the Digital Marketing & Social Media Conference & Register

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the UW-Madison SBDC office at sbdc@bus.wisc.edu or 608-263-2221 to request accommodations. 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.

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