April 14, 2020 Dear readers, The generally high compliance rate for “social distancing” in Wisconsin, along with the efforts of the state’s medical community, means the state is inching closer to the day when restrictions on various aspects of life can be eased. When will that be? No one knows for sure, but states across the country are beginning the planning process, and Wisconsin will be no exception. Bear in mind that state officials will likely take many factors into consideration: Death rates, hospitalization rates, positive COVID-19 tests, the general availability of such tests and more. The last thing anyone wants is to leap from one period of isolation to another two or three months down the road. While discussions of “reopening” percolate, hang in there and keep looking for the light at the end of the viral tunnel.

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 

Sincerely,

Tom Still, president

Guest column: The stress is real and you can get through it
I don’t know if it’s the same for you, but Week 4 of social distancing and #SaferatHome has gotten a little old in my household.  The initial novelty of working from home and having breakfast, lunch and dinner (and snacks….so, so many snacks) with my husband has lost its early glow.  Even the dog is weary of her human roommates and seems to relish alone time.

Yet, the positive impact of our collective effort is evident.  The current projection for the peak of COVID outbreak in Wisconsin is now seven to 10 days earlier than initially projected.  Our individual and community sacrifices are making a difference in the trajectory of this pandemic. However, to keep that trajectory flattened, it’s likely you and I (and the dog) will have bear a few more weeks of this: this isolation, this one-day-same-as-the-last, this uncertainty about what comes next.

Roemer is a licensed professional counselor at NWTC, click here to read the full column.

The closing of schools across Wisconsin due to the COVID-19 epidemic means teachers and students will pursue instruction opportunities online in the coming weeks. One useful tool readily available for middle- and high-school students is the Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurs in Science, or Wisconsin YES!, contest. Public, private and home-schooled students across Wisconsin are eligible to turn their science- and tech-related ideas into business plans and compete for cash and prizes. This free, statewide youth business plan contest is modeled after the successful Governor’s Business Plan Contest. It is open for online entries from Wisconsin middle- and high-school students through midnight on April 14, 2020.
The contest begins with a 250-word summary submitted through WisconsinYES.com.

Aberdean Consulting is hosting several webinars to enhance the remote working environment safety:
Remote Office/Home Office Personal Security Discussion on Thursday, April 16
Microsoft Outlook Productivity Hacks on Tuesday, April 21 and Tuesday, May 5
Collaborate with Microsoft OneNote on Thursday, April 23 and Thursday, May 7

Reinhart Law is partnering with Wisconsin Family Business Center to host webinars designed to help family-owned businesses:
How to Access Financial Assistance for Your Business and Your Employees on Wednesday, April 15
Planning & Portfolio Opportunities for Challenged Environments on Wednesday, April 22

Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) is hosting a Navigating DOD Opportunities for Innovation and Small Businesses chat on Wednesday, April 15

Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs is hosting a virtual lunch designed for networking and mentoring on Thursday, April 16.

Join UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies for their Earth Day Conference on Monday, April 20

Baker Tilly is offering a series of coronavirus-related business concerns (registration for all):
From survival to recovery: Shielding your supply chain from COVID-19 on Wednesday, April 15
A briefing on coronavirus-related tax relief on Wednesday, April 22
Crisis, continuity and recovery: A real-time enterprise risk workshop on Wednesday, April 29

• WEDC Small Business 2020 Program: Assistance will be available to Wisconsin-based Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) List of All 23 CDFIs in Wisconsin to provide grants to their existing loan clients to help mitigate business-related cash flow issues in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Approved CDFIs will make program grants (up to $20,000) available to for-profit businesses meeting the following: criteria: Current loan recipient in good standing as of 3/1/20 with the approved CDFI (or its collaborating CDFIs);20 or fewer PT/FT employees; Greater than $0 but less than $2 million in annual revenues; and, preference should be given to service and retail businesses
• (updated) Gov. Evers’ office has launched a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government, including: 
  COVID-19 Volunteer Program
  Religious Gatherings and Services
  DVA Assistance to Needy Veterans Program
• The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this helpful Frequently Asked Questions document.
• WEDC has compiled a comprehensive overview of their resources along with state and federal resources to assist Wisconsin citizens aimed at maintaining the viability of the companies upon which our economy depends.
• Report any scams or price gouging to Wisconsin Department of Justice: If you suspect fraud or a scam, Attorney General Kaul suggests filing a complaint online at datcp.wi.gov.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) has guidance for businesses, and is offering low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) for businesses and non-profits impacted by coronavirus
• Centers for Disease Control: Coronavirus latest updates
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 Outbreaks in Wisconsin
• The FDIC has provided guidance to banking institutions and consumers affected by COVID-19 and encouraged financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers and customers in affected communities.
• The Department of Labor has issued guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements.
• 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.
  
• COMPTIA offers eight cybersecurity tips for working remotely
• Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent project to help those displaced from jobs and employers now hiring
• The Department of the Defense has established the Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) for COVID-19 to assess and rapidly respond to challenges presented by this pandemic. They are collecting information from both government and non-government personnel who are interested in getting involved. All resources and solutions are welcome from industry, academia, venture capital firms, individual contributors and more. Request information here.
• Wisconsin Hospital Association released a COVID-19 dynamic Situational Awareness Update
  

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