GET YOUR INFORMATION HERE
ACCURATE & UP-TO-DATE COVID-19 RELATED INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
(click on the logos)
SURVEY - “COVID-19 Impacts to Businesses & Organizations”
We know this is a very trying time for many business and community leaders, particularly because of the "unknown" aspect of the impacts to COVID-19. Please take a few minutes to fill out this short 5-question survey about the impacts of COVID-19 on your business or organization. Any information you can provide will be helpful in our community planning efforts with other local, county, and state partners. We will use the information gathered to continuously evaluate our approach based on the responses and suggestions we receive. The questions are fairly general and open-ended to allow for thoughtful, detailed responses.
DISASTER RELIEF FINANCING,
LOANS, & GRANTS
West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Disaster Recovery Micro-Loans for Businesses
www.wcwrpc.org
The West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC) has entered into an agreement with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to establish a Disaster Recovery Microloan Program for businesses. The program offers loans of up to $20,000 at a 0% fixed interest rate to businesses impacted by a natural or manmade disaster event. Click here for more information.
Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Grants for Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19
www.facebook.com/business/grants
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where we operate. We’ll share more details as they become available. This program can help with keeping your workforce going strong, your rent costs, connecting with more customers, and covering operational costs.
Small Business 20/20 grant Program
Grants for Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19
https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/small-business-2020/
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced today the creation of a program to provide grants to targeted businesses throughout the state. WEDC will provide $5 million in funding for the program, which will be known as Small Business 20/20. SB 20/20 will provide grants of up to $20,000 to targeted businesses with no more than 20 employees to cover rent and to meet payroll expenses, including paid leave (including sick, family and other leave related to COVID-19). The grants will be deployed by partnering with the state’s 23 community development financial institutions (CDFIs).
The Small Business 20/20 Program was created to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses and micro-enterprises in Wisconsin. The program is designed to ease these businesses’ short-term cash flow challenges and, in conjunction with other state response programs, protect jobs and public health in Wisconsin.
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE LINKS
U.S. Small Business Administration
WEDC (WI Economic Development Corporation)
WEDA (WI Economic Development Association)
WI Unemployment COVID-19 Public Information
Gov. Evers: Order Prohibiting Mass Gatherings of 10 People or More — March 17, 2020
Gov Evers: Order Prohibiting Mass Gatherings of 50 People or More — March 16, 2020
Gov. Evers: Order for Statewide School Closure — March 13, 2020
Executive Order 72, Relating to Declaring a Health Emergency in Response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus — March 12, 2020
REMOTE WORKING TOOLS
Articles
5 Tips for staying productive while working from home
Accounting
Quickbooks Online $12.75
Services Provided: Information Storage/Sharing | Project Management | Security/Encryption
Gusto $6-12/PER USER
Services Provided: Information Storage/Sharing | Project Management | Security/Encryption
All-Inclusive
GooglesuitesHangouts $6-25/PER USER*
Services Provided: Video Conferencing | Audio/Phone | Instant Messaging | Information Storage/Sharing | Project Management | Security/Encryption
*In response to COVID-19 through July 1: free access to our advanced Hangouts Meet video-conferencing capabilities to all G Suite and G Suite for Education customers globally including larger meetings, for up to 250 participants per call, live streaming for up to 100,000 viewers within a domain, and the ability to record meetings and save them to Google Drive
Office 365/Teams– $0-12.50/Per User*
Services Provided: Video Conferencing | Instant Messaging | Information Storage/Sharing | Project Management | Security/Encryption
*In response to COVID-19: Beginning March 10, Microsoft is rolling out updates to the free version of Teams that will lift restrictions on user limits.
Communication
Zoom $0-19.99*
Services Provided: Video Conferencing | Web Conferencing/Webinar | Security/Encryption
In response to COVID-19: free for educators to move toward virtual learning
ZoomPhone $14.99
Services Provided: Audio/Phone | Security/Encryption
Slack $0-12.50
Services Provided: Video Conferencing | Instant Messaging | Information Storage/Sharing | Security/Encryption
Loom $0-5/PER USER*
Services Provided: Video Conferencing | Web Conferencing/Webinar |Instant Messaging
*In response to COVID-19 through July 1: free for educators, recording limit removed on the free plan, free trial extended to 30 days, Loom Pro price adjusted to $5/month
Ringcentral $24.99-49.99 PER USER*
Services Provided: Video Conferencing | Web Conferencing/Webinar | Audio/Phone | Instant Messaging
*In response to COVID-19: Three months free RingCentral Office for K12 educators, health providers and non-profits
Gotomeetings $12-16/PER USER*
Services Provided: Video Conferencing | Web Conferencing/Webinar | Audio/Phone | Instant Messaging
*In response to COVID-19: some organizations may be eligible for access to free emergency remote work toolkit. Can register here.
CRM
Liveagent $0-39/PER USER
Services Provided: Project Management
Informational Services
DropboxBusiness $12.50-20/PER USER*
Services Provided: Information Storage/Sharing | Security/Encryption
*In response to COVID-19: Free Dropbox Business subscriptions for a three-month period to nonprofits and NGOs that are focused on fighting COVID-19
GeniusScan $0
Services Provided: Information Storage/Sharing
Phone app for scanning/sending documents
Project Management
Trello $0-20.83/PER USER
Services Provided: Information Storage/Sharing | Project Management | Security/Encryption
Asana Project Management $0-24.99/PER USER
Services Provided: Information Storage/Sharing | Project Management
Scheduling
Acuity $0-50
Services Provided: Project Management
Coronavirus Toolkit For Businesses
It is important for all employers to monitor the Coronavirus outbreak and implement strategies to protect their workforce while ensuring continuity of operations. For the most up-to-date information on the Coronavirus in Wisconsin, please visit the State of Wisconsin’s Coronavirus website.
Stay Healthy
A little planning can ensure smooth business operations and protect public health at the same time. All individuals should continue to take the following basic personal-hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the virus:
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer;
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
Avoid handshakes;
Avoid contact with people who are sick; and
Stay home when you are sick.
Recognize the Symptoms of COVID-19
Fever
Cough
Difficulty Breathing
*Source: Wisconsin DHS
Plan Ahead
Review human resource policies. Consider flexible work options. This can mean telecommuting, different work sites or flexible schedules. Remind employees if they're sick, they should stay home.
Create an employee communications plan. Share accurate information with employees as situations develop. Basic information, like what the virus is, how it spreads, and how to take care of one's self, can go a long way to prevent rumors and misinformation. Think ahead about how you will communicate in case one of your employees becomes sick.
Plan ahead for how you will handle absenteeism. Wisconsin schools have been cancelled, which will force many employees to stay home to care for children.
Coordinate with state and local public health officials as needed.
Make a business continuity plan. Be prepared to execute a new strategy, if necessary. Think of alternative suppliers, critical customers or how to continue operations.
Review travel policies and plans. The latest guidance from the CDC can be found on the CDC website.
Useful Links
Below are links to a variety of resources provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help educate employers and employees on how to prepare for and address the impacts of the Coronavirus.
Guidance For Employers - How to plan and respond to the Coronavirus
Workplace Tips - Tips and resources for employers to combat the virus
Corporate Aid Tracker - How businesses are helping nationwide
Survey on Business Impact - Results from the American Chamber of Commerce in China
Resilience in a Box - A toolbox to help businesses put a plan in place (created by the US Chamber Foundation in partnership with the UPS Foundation)
More Resources - Including consolidated, business-specific guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
State of Wisconsin Guidance/Resources for Employers and Workers
Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for Facilities with Suspected/Confirmed COVID-19
