FOCUS FORWARD
The go-to resource to keep Wisconsin citizens, communities and businesses moving forward.
WORKING TOGETHER TO PREPARE WISCONSIN TO PROSPER
By working together, we can overcome the unprecedented challenges COVID-19 has put on us all. Focus Forward provides tools, information and inspiration related to business, community and personal resilience. It’s a place to communicate and connect regularly, where you’ll find information on financial and operational assistance programs from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and other state and federal partners that will prepare you for economic recovery. Most of all, it’s a destination to unite, roll up our sleeves and get to work helping each other and the entire state of Wisconsin move forward.
FOCUS FORWARD VIDEOS & LIVESTREAM EVENTS
Join WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes for videos and livestream events covering business-critical topics and peer-to-peer conversations featuring recovery tips. You’ll find the information and insights your business and community need to successfully move beyond the current crisis.
Stay tuned for Focus Forward livestreams, featuring information on reopening and recovery efforts. We’ll also take your questions live as we work together to get Wisconsin’s economy and your business back on track.
FOCUS FORWARD PODCAST
THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN BUSINESS
The Focus Forward podcast connects business and community leaders and other Wisconsin “doers” in conversations about how we can all help each other succeed. In each episode, WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes guides the discussion toward real and actionable advice you can incorporate in your business or community to help overcome the challenges you’re facing today and prepare for the new opportunities of tomorrow.
PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
Focus Forward is here to connect you to the programs and resources WEDC, other state partners and national organizations have created to help your business. It’s our commitment to make it easier for you to find the information you need for relief and recovery, including WEDC financial assistance for Wisconsin companies, SBA disaster assistance, COVID-19 federal relief programs and more. Subscribe to our Focus Forward updates to ensure you have access to the newest programs and resources as they become available.
Wisconsin Main Street Downtown Pitch Contest now open for applications
The contest is open to Wisconsin residents 18 and older with a for-profit business idea located (or planned to be located) in a community that is part of either the Wisconsin Main Street Program or the Connect Communities Program. Read More
FOCUS FORWARD UPDATES
Stay in-the-know about important Wisconsin business and economic news, community announcements and new programs and resources available for your business.
New report outlines state’s economic recovery strategy
The new report identifies five elements as keys to every individual’s economic well-being—financial stability; education; health; community infrastructure, including access to affordable housing and child care; and a clean environment—and encourages state and local leaders to invest accordingly. Read More
Download new vaccine guidelines for employers
Published by WEDC with input from the Department of Health Services, the document provides guidance for how employers can encourage high rates of vaccination among their workers, and includes links to resources such as posters and flyers. Read More
Focus Forward Podcast Ep 9: Innovation, Inspiration and Public Health with Alexander Kempe
Alexander Kempe, president and CEO of Novir, the testing solutions company and winner of the We’re All Innovating contest, talks with WEDC Secretary Missy Hughes about his company’s antibody test and the need for innovation in the pandemic. Read More
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