We are facing fluid and extraordinary times in the face of COVID-19. The Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce is committed to the health and safety of our staff, community members, local businesses, and event attendees. Effective immediately, in the best interest of you, your business, and our community, we are suspending all in-person networking, meeting and programming events through May 26th and will continue to evaluate the situation as it unfolds. These events will be rescheduled and we will communicate new dates to our members over the next several weeks.
We hope the community can rally around local, small businesses during this time, where possible and when safe. They are the lifeblood of our communities and will need the support of customers more than ever through the near future.
We have compiled several resources below as guidance for businesses and employers to navigate through these times.
WEDC’s We’re All In Small Business Grant is designed to help these small businesses get back on their feet while also encouraging adoption of best practices to keep employees, customers and communities safe.
HOW IT WORKS
Funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the We’re All In Small Business Grant Program will provide $2,500 to 30,000 Wisconsin small businesses to assist with the costs of business interruption or for health and safety improvements, wages and salaries, rent, mortgages and inventory.
APPLICATION PERIOD
The online grant application will be accessible for one week from 8 a.m. Monday, June 15, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 21. A link to the application will be posted on this page.
Revocation of Safer-at-Home Order – READ MORE
Outagamie County Reopening Recommendations – READ MORE
Wisconsin Restaurant Association
In partnership with the Wisconsin Restaurant Association and health officials across the State, restaurant owners and operators can make commitments to earn the Wisconsin Restaurant Promise endorsement during the COVID-19 recovery period. . – READ MORE
WEDC – Reopen Guidelines
With input from national and state health and industry experts WEDC has compiled a series of industry-specific documents to help you get back to business – READ MORE
8 Step Guide to Keep Employees Safe As Wisconsin prepares to return to work, Wisconsin Safety Council – the state’s leading provider of safety training and products – released a guide to be used by employers in an effort to help keep their employees safe. VIEW GUIDE
The CARES Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll during this emergency. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward. The administration soon will release more details including the list of lenders offering loans under the program. The guide answers these questions?
VIEW – Small Business Guide for Emergency Loans & Paycheck Protection Program
SBA LOAN INFORMATION
Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. For complete details on SBA, visit www.sba.gov.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Small Business Development Center at UW Oshkosh
View growing list of resources the SBDC is compiling to share with businesses/organizations in the region looking for financial resources.
WEDC announces targeted grants to small businesses suffering losses due to coronavirus emergency
In another step toward assisting small businesses that suffer losses related to the COVID-19 health emergency, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is creating a program to provide grants to targeted businesses throughout the state, WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes announced today / 3-18-2020.
Community Benefit Tree – Cure from Despair Fund-COVID-19- Income Relief – if you have employees that are in need of income relief due to losing their job or laid off because of the COVID-19 please have them contact us.
Coronavirus and Unemployment Insurance Benefits from Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
CDC- Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
Top Wisconsin Health Official Answers Your COVID-19 Questions
Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm answered about the state of emergency and what it means, as well as other preparations the state is making to test for the virus and prevent its further spread.
Our state agencies are developing guidance and resources for Wisconsinites to stay healthy and make informed choices for themselves and their families during this time. These agencies will continue to update their websites with the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.
Work-Share avoids layoffs, allowing workers to remain employed & employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity.
Updates from Wisconsin Restaurant Association
Updates from the Tavern League of Wisconsin
Spectrum offering free access to broadband and Wi-Fi for students without access for 60 days
COVID-19 Community Response Fund Is Ready To Take Donations
HOPELINE – Text HOPELINE to 741741 — from anywhere, anytime, about any type of challenge or struggle. Help and hope is just a text away.