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.
Grant program to help small businesses find homes in Wisconsin
Businesses and nonprofits considering moving into a vacant Wisconsin commercial space may be eligible for a $10,000 Wisconsin Tomorrow – Main Street Bounceback Grant through a newly created 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.
Now available: Episode 5 of the Wisconsin Employer Vaccine Forum
The discussion addresses how the pandemic landscape has changed with the Delta variant and how vaccination rates can impact the economy. Read More
Tax credits available for employers who provide paid leave for vaccination
Provided under the American Rescue Plan Act, the credits cover leave provided to receive the vaccination and/or recover from side effects anytime from April 1 through Sept. 30, 2021. Read More
Now available: Episode 4 of the Wisconsin Employer Vaccine Forum
In a series focused on how employers can help build public support for COVID-19 vaccines, the fourth episode addresses how and why to create a culture of safety, trust and transparency in workplace communication. Read More