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June 15, 2020
Dear readers:
For much of Wisconsin, the cautious but necessary reopening of the economy continues. The latest move of significance is the move to Phase 2 of the “Forward Dane” plan. To help business owners safely reopen, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. has produced a “checklist” video.
WEDC: [Video] Reopening guidelines and checklists for businesses
Last month, WEDC posted guidelines for businesses of different types to reopen safely and protect the health of their employees and customers, addressing such topics as social distancing, personal protective equipment, ventilation, cleaning and sanitization. Now a checklist has been added to the end of each guidelines document, so business owners can be sure all the relevant areas have been addressed as they reopen. Watch the video to learn more about the guidelines and checklists.
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Reopening Wisconsin, one hole at a time… Tech Council President Tom Still hits a fairway shot on Hole No. 3 at Apostle Highlands in Bayfield, overlooking Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay.
Even in largely COVID-free Bayfield County, people are wearing masks as a precaution; many businesses are open, but shop rules vary from place to place.
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Make sure to check out our newsroom below for fast-changing information about Wisconsin's reopening process.
Stay tuned for announcements about virtual Tech Council webinars on COVID-19 issues of interest to our members and others.
Do you have news or best practices to contribute to a future edition of Tech Council Current?
Contact Laura@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com
Have a great week ahead and we'll publish our next edition Thursday.
Tom Still, president
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The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will issue 30,000 grants of $2,500 to Wisconsin small businesses to help them get back on their feet amid disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications due June 23.
Read details here.
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Businesses: UW-Oshkosh survey wants your input on COVID-19
This survey is a partnership of the Center for Customized Research and Services, Wisconsin's nine regional economic development organizations and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. It is designed to measure the economic hardships and impact of the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic on the state's business community. This is the third in a series of monthly surveys that you will be invited to complete. Results from previous surveys can be found here.
Please consider all questions within the context of your business's current situation. All responses are considered confidential and results will only be reported in aggregate. Click here to get started.
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COVID:
Wisconsin State Journal: Remote work continues: Dane County's top employers not rushing to reopen offices
The New York Times: Disease experts are warning the virus isn’t going anywhere, the U.S. might see more lockdowns
The New York Times: Slowing the coronavirus is speeding the spread of other diseases
WBAY: Reynolds Packaging's quick actions help fill need for PPE
The Journal Times: After the coronavirus: Your next road trip may look like this
Forbes: Expert advice for behaving responsibly during the next phase of the pandemic
The New York Times: See how all 50 states are reopening
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce: Encourage customers to #JustAsk about policies and procedures being implemented to reduce risks to their health and safety.
Milwaukee Business Journal: How Milwaukee-area businesses will modify to improve safety
Wisconsin State Journal: Mailing of absentee ballot applications to 2.7 million closer to finalization
WisBusiness: UW-Madison professor says second wave of COVID-19 is likely
The Cap Times: Testing finds coronavirus cases largely absent from state veterans homes, so far
The Journal Times: Food banks have gotten extra help due to coronavirus, supporting community
Fast Company: 6 experts on how capitalism will emerge after COVID-19
Kaiser Family Foundation: Finding policy responses to rising intimate partner violence during the coronavirus outbreak
Tech Crunch: Google Maps updated with COVID-19 info and related transit alerts
ECONOMY:
The New York Times: Global markets fall, and Wall Street faces a tough opening
CNBC: The $100 billion conventions industry is starting to reopen after a months-long coronavirus shutdown
NPR: Supreme Court delivers major victory to LGBTQ employees
BizTimes: The case for office space in an era altered by coronavirus
CNBC: Red Cross to test donations, U.S. restaurant industry lost $120 billion in sales
WisBusiness: Leaders in agriculture talk profitability for the industry
WisPolitics: Gov. Evers announces $40 million in financial assistance to hospitals to help with COVID-19 losses
BizTimes Milwaukee: Packers give $500,000 in COVID-19 relief to Milwaukee-area nonprofits
BizTimes: Gender pay gap narrowing in Milwaukee, Waukesha counties
Milwaukee Business Journal: SBA, in PPP lawsuit response, says detailed information 'exempt from disclosure'
BizTimes Milwaukee: [Podcast] George Bureau of WMEP on the state of manufacturing
StateScoop: 'I can't sit on the sideline': Black CIOs on facing racial bias
The Hill: One of biotech’s biggest conferences grapples with how to talk about race and identity
TechRepublic: Chief AI Officer: Executives discuss the role, pitfalls, and business philosophy
WPR: Wisconsin leads 22-state coalition supporting federal standards for PFAS in drinking water
Urban Milwaukee: How bad is the pandemic recession?
BizWomen: Pandemic has crushed number of black-owned businesses
Milwaukee Business Journal: Wisconsin Center District completes refinancing to navigate cash squeeze
Business Insider: We found the 30 best American cities to live in after the pandemic
ENTREPRENEURS:
Business Insider: 'Cleanse portals' that zap away germs with UVC light popular as businesses begin to reopen
Techstars: Diversity is important to 72% of founders, but only 10% are taking action
WisBusiness: The Podcast with Dan Costello, director and president of Forward 4 Families
Release: Strive MedTech, a telehealth innovator, gets backing and new office at TitletownTech
The Plug: Black technologists create new virtual gathering spaces for support, networks, amid pandemic
CompTIA: 10 emerging technologies making an impact in 2020
WisconsinINNO: Brookfield health-tech startup acquired by billion-dollar Seattle company
Madison.com: Launched during pandemic, Madison's AirDeck helps create on-demand business presentations
INVESTING:
BizTimes Milwaukee: Titletown Tech leads $500,000 funding round for SeedLinked
WUWM: Wisconsin business leaders say innovation is a way to reduce economic disparity, create jobs
Milwaukee Business Journal: New Madison firm targets $200 million for first venture fund
CNBC: Storm Ventures’ Frederik Groce on positives he sees for venture capital amid volatility
Wisconsin State Journal: Tom Still: Signs of life in the investment community as angels, VCs pivot
KRMS: Charter Cable providing $10 million to black/minority businesses
Crunchbase: EnsoData raises $9 million to diagnose health conditions with AI
Milwaukee Business Journal: SWIB partakes in $40 million funding round for cancer treatment company
EDUCATION:
Wisconsin State Journal: UW System offers guidelines for in-person instruction for fall semester
WISN: Students can return to UW System campuses in fall
Milwaukee Business Journal: Higher ed's tough call: Students can expect drastic changes for fall semester
Wisconsin State Journal: Virtual schools see bump in interest as COVID-19 pandemic makes for uncertain fall
WISN: Virtual field trips for kids to get them learning about the world
Wisconsin State Journal: Wisconsin private schools weigh whether to accept federal pandemic relief money
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· Gov. Evers’ office regularly updates a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and the departments of Financial Institutions, Revenue and Workforce Development. Some specific sites:
· The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this FAQ document.
· The Wisconsin Department of Revenue offers these information sources:
· The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has guidance for businesses.
· Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 Outbreaks in Wisconsin
· NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers are providing services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers such as connecting businesses that are pivoting their production in response to the coronavirus to new supply chains, connecting firms with state resources, advising companies on new operational issues, and providing workforce support.
· “Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent” is a new project to help those displaced from jobs and employers now hiring
· Wisconsin Hospital Association releases a COVID-19 dynamic Situational Awareness Update
· View an interactive map of public wi-fi “hot spots” in Wisconsin
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