Office is working with the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to begin providing resources.

MADISON - It’s a sobering time in our state as we navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19. My office is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach working with the Governor’s Office and our federal partners to ensure the health and well-being of Wisconsinites.

We know our small business community will feel the strain as many across the state have closed their doors to help contain the spread of this awful virus. My office is working with the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to begin providing resources and finding solutions for Wisconsin small businesses.

These measures are far from perfect, but they are the first steps in helping our business community cope:

US Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance. The SBA will soon be providing Wisconsin small business assistance through their disaster loan program. Governor Evers has already submitted the declaration request, and we expect approval very soon. Our office will be sharing the news once the declaration is approved via Facebook and Twitter.

• To begin preparing your application, small businesses will need: 
  • Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T) for the applicant, principals, and affiliates
  • Complete copies of the most recent Federal Income Tax Return.
  • Schedule of Liabilities (SBA Form 2202)
  • Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413)
  • Profit and loss statements
  • Monthly sales figures (SBA Form 1368)

For more on SBA programs for the coronavirus, please visit www.sba.gov/coronavirus.

WEDC Small Business 2020 Grant Program: Grants to businesses with 20 or fewer part-time or full-time employees that are facing cash flow issues as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. This program is in partnership with Wisconsin-based Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). To learn more, visit the website: https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/small-business-2020/

Kiva Small Business Lending: KIVA is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to capital for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The have expanded eligibility, loan amounts, and grace periods to help meet the needs of businesses managing the impact of COVID-19. Click here to learn more.

The Office of the State Treasurer will continue to share information and coordinate resources. While the coronavirus is here, it will not knock us out. Please feel free to reach out to our office via email at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions.

Thank you to everyone who has stepped up and helped during this crisis from the healthcare workers and grocery store attendants to volunteers.  If you are looking for ways to help, please visit Volunteer Wisconsin.

Stay safe,

Sarah Godlewski, Wisconsin State Treasurer

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today directed Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to issue updates to the previous order prohibiting mass gatherings of 10 or more people.

The updated order maintains the ban on gatherings of 10 or more people and indefinite school closures, but includes some important changes and clarifications:

• Treats bars and restaurants are the same. Bars will be able to have carryout sales of alcohol and food, if allowed by local ordinances and state law. This will help ensure thousands of establishments can stay in business during this unprecedented health emergency.
• Media and news organizations can remain open to provide the public with vital information.
• Laundromats may remain open.
• Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions may remain open if they practice social distancing.
• All parts of the food delivery system – from farms to stores – may remain open.
• Clarifies that cafeterias in healthcare facilities may remain open to serve our healthcare workers.
• Allied health professions, such as acupuncturists, are unaffected by the mass gathering ban.
• All parts of our transportation system can continue to serve our economy.
• Any facility used for in-person absentee voting or as a polling location may remain open for voting, except for sites at long-term care and assisted care facilities.
• Hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body art establishments, and tanning facilities must close effective 5 pm on Fri., March 20, 2020.

All gatherings that bring together or are likely to bring together 10 or less people in a single room or confined space, whether inside or outside, at the same time must preserve social distancing and follow all other public health recommendations issued by DHS or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Voluntary cancellation, closure, or limitations on the size of gatherings beyond the requirements of this order are permitted and encouraged.

People should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:

• Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house);
• Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water;
• Covering coughs and sneezes;
• Avoiding touching your face; and
• Staying home when able.

This is a rapidly evolving situation and we encourage you and the public to frequently monitor the DHS website for updates, and to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram. Additional information can be found on the CDC website.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-covid-natl-emerg-s5.pngTwo months of inaction pass, then mixed messages from Trump confuse the public response.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gb-city-hall-s5.jpgResidents will not be allowed to conduct business in person at City Hall after March 17, 2020 at 4:30 pm due to the COVID-19 crisis. Please access services either by phone or via the internet.

Nurses, doctors and other health care workers all around the country are being told to ration.

WASHINGTON, DC - Hospitals and health care providers don’t have enough of the critical supplies they need to treat patients and protect doctors and nurses from the coronavirus, and governors say the Trump administration isn’t doing enough to help.

Lawmakers in New Jersey, Washington and Maryland say they have only received a fraction of the protective equipment they requested from a national stockpile of medical supplies run by the federal government.

Meanwhile, nurses, doctors and other health care workers all around the country are being told to ration the gear that protects them from the virus, raising questions about the risk posed to those on the frontlines of the pandemic.

Read the full story here

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/flood-wi-field-s5.jpgSen. Smith talks about the importance of emergency preparedness to protect communities from natural disasters or public health emergencies, specifically, the Flood Prevention & Resilience Plan targeted toward flood prevention and relief.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/bar-patrons-s5.jpgAction taken to slow spread of COVID-19. Measures also being taken to manage testing capacity in Wisconsin.

GREEN BAY, WI - State Representative Staush Gruszynsk issued a statement Tuesday urging the Governor to take additional steps protecting workers who could face layoffs and loss of income as we react to the COVID-19 crisis.

“I am encouraged by the steps taken yesterday by Governor Evers and DHS secretary designee Palm. The Governor and his team continue to work around the clock to meet the need of this incredible challenge. As I speak with workers, managers and business owners across the 90th district it is clear that we need to take additional steps.

"Steps such as waiving the one week wait time to collect unemployment benefits and using state surplus dollars to ease the burden on small business owners. It is clear that businesses are already seeing an economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Protecting workers who could face layoffs and loss of income as more individuals take steps to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19 is a top priority. In Brown County alone, there are 13,000 tourism related workers that will be impacted by this pandemic and that's just one industry that will have a ripple effect across our economy. Our office continues to hear feedback from the hospitality and lodging industry about challenges they are facing. This is a time for all of us to dig in, and see what we can do to help our community.”

****

Ryan Neigbauer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it sent us this message.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/greenbaywi.gov-s5.pngMayor's office urges local residents to practice social distancing and conduct business electronically whenever possible.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/caw-town-hall-s5.jpgPublic or private schools, theaters, museums, stadiums, conference rooms, meeting halls, taverns, health and fitness centers, and places of worship included. Critical infrastructure such as grocery stores, food pantries, childcare centers, pharmacies, and hospitals remain open.