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.

Read details here.

Majority of Wisconsinites not ready to return to work, restaurants or malls

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce conducted this survey May 26-28, building off the basic question: Are you willing to do the following? Results: 87% Grocery shopping, 69% Visit family, 57% Visit friends, 51% Go to barber or salon, 49% Go to work, 41% Eat at restaurant, 41% Send your child to school, 35% Go to a mall, 33% Stay in a hotel, 30% Go to church, 23% Fly on a plane, 23% Go to a movie, 21% Go to a bar, 19% Go to a health club, 19% Attend a stadium sporting event] ... "Three months of lockdown did a pretty good of making people cautious and making people scared," MMAC senior vice president of governmental affairs Steve Baas said in an interview. "And it's going to take a while to regain that confidence. ... we'll have a 'swoosh' (shaped) recovery and not a 'V' because we have to work through the psychology of confidence." See here or below to read the full article.

WPR: Where stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 restrictions are in effect in Wisconsin
WISN: Counties, municipalities that reopened & remain closed
TMJ4: Dane County issues its own order, continues Safer At Home measures
City of Milwaukee Health Department: COVID-19 Public Health Plan for the City of Milwaukee
Wisconsin State Journal: 13 of 72 Wisconsin counties and the city of Racine have extended stay-at-home orders
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's which Wisconsin counties and cities have continued or started new stay-at-home orders
Urban Milwaukee: Cities respond to pandemic with public space experiments
The Journal Times: After the coronavirus: Your next road trip may look like this
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What we've learned about how to protect yourself from coronavirus in reopened Wisconsin
Milwaukee Business Journal: Employers need to weigh legal and health ramifications when reopening, experts say
Madison.com: As Memorial Day tempts people outdoors, precautions advised
The Cap Times: Some Madison restaurant owners wary about reopening dining rooms
Madison.com: How should I clean and store my face mask?
Wisconsin State Journal: How to manage COVID-19 risk as you leave your cocoon
BizTimes: Area restaurants carefully approach reopening dine-in service
Humana offers a Workplace Reentry Essential Guide in checklist format to assist employers
Forbes: Expert advice for behaving responsibly during the next phase of the pandemic
The New York Times: See how all 50 states are reopening
Milwaukee Business Journal: MMAC: Majority of Wisconsinites not ready to return to work, restaurants or malls
Milwaukee Business Journal: First look at changes made to Potawatomi Casino as it prepares to reopen

WisBusiness: Public officials discuss how to address two pandemics: coronavirus and racism
BizWomen: Pandemic leaves workers questioning their skills
TechCrunch: U.S. e-commerce sales to jump 18% in 2020, but not enough to offset retail’s decline
UpNorthNews: What defund the police really means
BizWomen: HR pros think remote work will keep growing post-COVID
BizTimes: Greater Milwaukee Foundation backs African American Chamber COVID-19 recovery fund
The New York Times: When 511 epidemiologists expect to fly, hug and do 18 other everyday activities again
Milwaukee Business Journal: How Visit Milwaukee plans to get back on track after losing $64 million  in convention business
Gov. Evers announces appointments to Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity
Wisconsin State Journal: [Photos] “Black lives matter” solidarity march
BizWomen: Target commits $10 million to support social justice, rebuilding
Social Media Today: Facebook will review its policies around state use of force and voter suppression
WPR: Routine legal work on pause during COVID-19 pandemic
Wisconsin State Journal: Art brings messages of solidarity, protest and large swaths of color to State Street
Milwaukee Business Journal: Milwaukee to lift restrictions on stores, restaurants as city begins third phase of reopening
Milwaukee Business Journal: Community Care CEO on how nonprofit provides health services amid pandemic
Wisconsin State Journal: Pandemic brings twice the pain to nonprofit fundraising
Inc.: Reopening? Your employees will need extra emotional support
Mayo Clinic: How to travel safely during the COVID-19 pandemic

Please send your upcoming virtual events for consideration to laura@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com

SSTI’s U.S. Economic Development Administration to discuss CARES funding & new innovation opportunity is on Tuesday, June 9

Inc. Real Talk Business Reboot featuring Daymond John is on Tuesday, June 9

Inc. Real Talk Business Reboot featuring Steve Case is on Wednesday, June 10

Newaukee presents a Cloud Café webinar: ForeFront: Sherman Park on Thursday, June 11

NVISIA’s Trends on Tech Talent Attraction due to COVID-19 with Kathy Henrich on Thursday, June 11

Accelity Marketing presents a bi-weekly COVID-19 Business Strategy (open forum) webinar, next on Thursday, June 11

BizTimes is hosting Candid Conversations in Nonprofit Leadership: Staying the course during a crisis on Friday, June 12

Center for Technology Commercialization is holding a virtual Department of Defense SBIR/STTR Workshop on Thursday, June 18

Greater Green Bay Chamber presents TechConnect: Work in a Tech Startup on Monday, June 22

• Gov. Evers’ office has launched a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government:
• COVID-19 Volunteer Program
• Prioritizing Children’s Mental Health
• Religious Gatherings and Services
• DVA Assistance to Needy Veterans Program
• Call 1-800-WIS-VETS for Veterans Benefits Information
• Relief and recovery resources for your business: Reopen guidelines
• Gov. Evers Announces Badger Bounce Back Plan
• Helping minority-owned micro-businesses weather the storm: Ethnic Minority Emergency Grant
  
• The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this helpful Frequently Asked Questions document.
• The Wisconsin Department of Revenue offers these information sources:
•       Business Development and Government Relations (BDGR)
•       COVID-19 Information and Announcements
• 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, Pending congressional and presidential approval, the SBA may offer another round of low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) and Paycheck Protection Program loans 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.
• “Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent” is a new 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 releases a COVID-19 dynamic Situational Awareness Update
• View an interactive map of public wi-fi “hot spots” in Wisconsin