The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce recognizes the burden that COVID-19 is placing on area business. We want you to know you're not alone and there are resources to help navigate through this challenging time. This page is being continually updated as new resources become available.
While difficult, we know our business community is resilient and we’re going to come out of this stronger in the end! If you have questions or we can be of help in another way, don't hesitate to reach out. If we don't know the answer we can assist you in finding one.
NEW! PIERCE COUNTY ADVISORY
In light of the recent decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in regards to the extension of the Governor's Safer at Home order, Pierce County has released these guidelines for businesses and the community.
PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY ORDER - MASK ADVISORY UPDATED (MAY 17, 2021)
Pierce County Data Dashboard - Updated Daily
An Employee Tests Positive - Now What?
NEW! - WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
Workplace Guidance
Preventing & Managing COVID-19 Outbreaks in the Workplace
Quarantine Guidance - Updated Dec 4, 2020
BADGER BOUNCE BACK - RE-OPEN WISCONSIN
Wisconsin's plan to phase in reopening of businesses. See more info here.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO COVID-19
See Federal Government Response here.
UNEMPLOYMENT RESOURCES
WI Unemployment Office FAQ to help answer questions for employees who have been laid off due to COVID-19.
INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship has created this page to anchor important information amid quickly changing conditions and unprecedented measures put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MARKETING/CUSTOMER RELATIONS
Ways to Retain Your Customers During the Coronavirus Outbreak
How to Market Your Business during Uncertain Times
U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Combating the Coronavirus
U.S. Chamber Suggested Strategies
WISCONSIN RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
COVID-19 Crisis: Tips to Help Foodservice Operators
RED LETTER GRANT - FREE TRAINING SERIES
NEW! PIERCE COUNTY BUSINESS TOOLKIT
This document provides businesses with guidance on preparing for the loosening of restrictions put on business operations. The timeline for gradual business reopening must be determined using public health data reflecting the number of cases, the level of access to testing, level of PPE available for first responders and healthcare workers, hospital readiness, and capacity for local contract tracing. Local and state orders regarding the phased re-opening of businesses must be followed. This document may be updated as new guidance comes out. Please check back often!
Pierce County Business Toolkit
NEW! PLAN & PREPARE: SWOT TOOL
In preparation of the re-opening of our businesses and economy, every business owner should conduct a SWOT analysis to assess their preparedness for recovery! This is the first step in addressing issues that may create challenges for your re-opening planning.
SWOT-48 Questions to Ask
NEW! RESTAURANT RE-OPEN TOOLKIT
This tool is brought to you by StreetSense.com. It was designed to help restaurant owners plan and mitigate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The kit contains clear and concise resources for managing capital, planning for relaunch, adjusting operations in the wake of the crisis, and more.
Restaurant Re-Open Toolkit
NEW! NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION - COVID-19 REOPENING GUIDANCE
The purpose of guidance is to offer you direction and provide a framework for best practices as you reopen.
Reopening Guidance
NEW! WEDC RESOURCES
Wisconsin Main Street and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) offer ideas, tips, and best practices from local, state and national resources to allow communities to survive, thrive, and prepare to reopen.
Vaccination Guidelines for Employers - (April 20, 2021)
Rise to the Challenge: Navigating Through Covid-19 in Wisconsin
Reopen Guidelines
NEW! REOPEN MAIN STREET
We stumbled across this website, which is the best we've seen! It offers ideas and plans for navigating this new reality in a very organized way with plans and advice broken down by business sectors: Retail, Eating/Drinking places, Service Businesses, Arts/Attractions, etc. 5-stars! We highly recommend!
Reopen Main Street Website
Department of Revenue - We're All In Small Business Grant
Helps small businesses get back on their feet as they re-emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and prioritizes businesses most impacted by the pandemic including restaurants and taverns. Grant details and application are available here.
U. S. Small Business Administration
Wisconsin small businesses and private non-profits are now eligible for SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans to meet the needs of payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship. Applicants may apply online.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Assistance Portal
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Frequently Asked Questions
How to Apply
COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application​
How to Apply (video)
Businesses will be asked to supply the following information as part of the application process:
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)
SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process at: 1-800-659-2955.
Mentoring & Assistance
Western Wisconsin SCORE and Pierce County Economic Development Corporation are great resources for advice and free mentoring assistance for small business owners including guidance thorough the EIDL application process.
Western Wisconsin SCORE
SCORE Guidelines for Disaster Assistance
SCORE Client Resource Guide
Pierce County Economic Development Corporation
IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief
The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.
Coronavirus Tax Relief Summary
Tax Deadline changed – IRS Guidance on Federal Tax payments
Small Business Development Center
America’s SBDCs are working to help small businesses address the business challenges of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
SBA Covid-19 Small Business Resources
Informational Webinars: To assist the business community in regards to the loan program, Wisconsin's SBA office is offering daily webinars to answer your questions:
10am Webinars | 2pm Webinars
NEW! USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development has financing available to assist everyone in a community.Businesses can be assisted with acquisition, start-up or expansion funds as well as funding for energy efficiency improvements. Housing Programs assist rural residents in purchasing a home or repairing their existing home. Multi-Family Housing Programs can assist owners with rehabilitation and provide financing for new construction or purchase/rehabilitation. Value-Added Producer Grants are available for farmers to conduct feasibility studies/business plans and for working capital to start the operation. Municipalities can be assisted with funding for water and waste systems and for community facilities such as fire trucks, police stations, libraries, etc. Non-profits can be assisted with funding to build facilities and/or purchase equipment. For more information, contact USDA Rural Development at 715-345-7600.
USDA Rural Development Website
USDA Program Flyer
NEW! WEDC FOCUS FORWARD WEB PORTAL
Focus Forward serves as an online one-stop shop for state, federal and other funding and operational assistance programs, while also providing up-to-date information through multimedia formats. Check out their podcast episodes, downloads, live training events, and more!
Focus Forward Portal
Kiva Loans
Kiva has expanded lending terms/eligibility to help small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Effective immediately, U.S. applicants for a Kiva loan will have access to expanded eligibility and larger loans--the maximum loan on the Kiva platform will increase from $10,000 to $15,000. Applicants may receive a grace period of up to 6 months for greater financial flexibility. Downtown businesses in our communities that are women-, minority- and/or veteran-owned are also eligible for a 50% match from WEDC to expedite their loan. Consider applying or if you have the means, become a lender yourself.
ARTICLES
5 Tips for staying productive while working from home
20 Tips for working at home
Work from Home 101
ALL-INCLUSIVE
GOOGLE SUITE/HANGOUTS – $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 | Tips for securing your Zoom Meeting here
In response to COVID-19: free for educators to move toward virtual learning
ZOOM PHONE – $14.99
Services Provided: Audio/Phone | Security/Encryption
SLACK – $0-12.50
Services Provided: Video Conferencing | Instant Messaging | Information Storage/Sharing | Security/Encryption
GOTOMEETING – $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.
INFORMATION SERVICES
DROPBOX BUSINESS – $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
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
TRELLO – $0-20.83/PER USER
Services Provided: Information Storage/Sharing | Project Management | Security/Encryption
MONDAY - $39+
Services Provided: Information Storage/Sharing | Project Management
UWRF Continuing Education has hundreds of self-paced or instructor-led online options.
Browse Online Classes Catalog
Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 927 , Ellsworth, WI 54011 715. 273.6442 Email Us Here
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