Almost 55,000 Wisconsin small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic received approximately $240 million last year through the We’re All In Grant Program—the largest direct-aid program for small businesses in WEDC history, Governor Tony Evers, WEDC, and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) recently announced.
“Wisconsin’s small businesses have exemplified remarkable resilience throughout this pandemic, finding new, innovative ways to keep the doors open and the lights on. But it wasn’t easy, and I am glad we were able to provide this critically needed support,” said Governor Evers. “We aren’t out of the woods just yet, and it is vital that we continue to support our local businesses and their employees to help them get through these tough times.”
Funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the We’re All In Grants were awarded to Wisconsin small businesses in three phases throughout 2020. Starting in the summer, Phase 1 distributed $65 million to more than 26,000 businesses around the state. The grants were administered by WEDC, with each recipient receiving $2,500. About half of WEDC’s staff shifted from normal operations to processing the grants to get the funds out to businesses.
In the fall, Phase 2 provided $130 million to more than 26,000 businesses. The program was created by WEDC, but received technical and customer service assistance from the DOR. Due to greater demand and limited resources, Phase 2 grants were targeted toward industries hit hardest by the pandemic, as well as diverse businesses and businesses that had not received Phase 1 grants. Businesses received $5,000 awards. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 grants were aimed at businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenue, regardless of industry.
In the late fall, Phase 3, We’re All in For Restaurants, was specifically targeted at food, beverage and amusement businesses with annual revenues between $1 million and $7 million, with each qualified business receiving $20,000. More than 2,000 received these grants, which were also administered by DOR in collaboration with WEDC.
“The intent for all of the We’re All In Grants was to get help to as many small businesses as we could, as quickly as we could,” said WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. “I’m pleased WEDC was able to work with DOR to help us identify many of the businesses that were struggling the most.”
“We have seen economic impacts from COVID-19 that are very uneven,” said DOR Secretary Peter Barca. “Some businesses are suffering a great deal while others have seen less impact.”
DOR and WEDC have posted a searchable online database of recipients and the amounts they received. Additionally, there is an online interactive data visualization map of the state of Wisconsin which highlights where businesses are located, and what industries received the grants.
In addition to the grants, the We’re All In initiative includes a mass media and communications effort to encourage Wisconsin businesses and consumers to follow appropriate public health measures to keep safe from COVID-19. Those efforts have expanded to promoting local small businesses during the holiday season and throughout the coming year. (See accompanying sidebar.)
We’re All In public information campaign encourages the greater good
The We’re All In campaign launched in August to encourage Wisconsin consumers to engage their communities without spreading the virus. As the campaign continues, WEDC has helped distribute grant dollars and public information about reopening businesses or keeping businesses open with options like delivery, curbside service or online ordering. WEDC partnered with the Wisconsin Tech Council to sponsor We’re All Innovating awards, recognizing businesses and inventors who created novel ways to adjust their business models or products to meet the demands of the pandemic.
The messaging from the campaign collected support from across the state and residents can engage with an online gallery of images and ideas for distancing, adjusting and still participating in Wisconsin culture. As we moved into the holiday shopping season and cold weather brings events indoors, the campaign pivoted to share ideas on supporting local, from reviews of business and service, to social sharing and promotion and online or appointment shopping and continued curbside services.
With thousands of engaged users on the website and millions of impressions reaching every corner of the state, Wisconsin and WEDC are All In for a safe economic recovery.
