Focus on Calumet
A bi-weekly update on economic development opportunities in Calumet County
and the region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.
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Assembly Bill 2 (AB 2) was signed into law and went into effect earlier in February as 2021 Act 1. Among other provisions, the legislation protects thousands of Wisconsin small businesses from facing unexpected taxes on loans received through the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The bill was developed to correct an inconsistency between WI and US law that would have required taxes to be paid on PPP loans. As a result of 2021 Act 1, PPP loans are no longer considered taxable income, and expenses paid for with the loans are deductible. The WI legislation passed with strong bipartisan support. |
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SBA Now Prioritizes Small Businesses in the Paycheck Protection Program |
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The SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program is being overhauled again to benefit very small businesses. Calumet County’s smallest businesses that haven’t qualified in the past are encouraged to revisit the program criteria with an accountant or SBA lender to see if they now can take advantage of this FORGIVABLE LOAN program.
On February 24, the program established a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees. In addition, beginning in the first week of March, the PPP loan program will:
- Allow sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants;
- Eliminate an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, consistent with a bipartisan congressional proposal;
- Eliminate PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make federal student loan payments by eliminating federal student loan debt delinquency and default as disqualifiers to participating in the PPP; and
- Ensure access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP.
The SBA is working on the program changes and will communicate details throughout this week.
The latest round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opened one month ago and has already achieved the following benefits for small businesses:
- For businesses with fewer than ten employees, the share of funding is up nearly 60%.
- For businesses in rural communities, the share of funding is up nearly 30%.
- The share of funding distributed through Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions is up more than 40%.
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State Budget Bill Proposal Focuses on Economic Recovery |
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WEDA has provided a summary of the WI Budget Bill which is summarized below.
Wisconsin Governor Evers officially unveiled his 2021-23 state budget bill, which will go the Republican-controlled Legislature, where lawmakers are likely to largely rewrite the proposal. Upon initial review, the following economic development-related items included in the Governor's $91 billion two-year spending plan for the state should be of interest to WEDA members and readers of this newsletter.
WEDC/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
- Provide the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) with $200 million to assist small businesses in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, including assistance for the retention of current employees and the rehiring of former employees.
- Create a venture capital program overseen by WEDC with $100 million in one-time funding. The program will be required to be a fund of funds investment program.
- Provide WEDC with $8 million in one-time funding to assist organizations focused on local or regional economic development to support those organizations' pandemic recovery efforts.
- Increase WEDC's total block grant funding by $10 million from $41,550,700 to $51,550,700 in each year of the budget cycle to assist with Wisconsin's economic recovery efforts.
- Create a small business economic development program at WEDC benefiting tribes, funded at $390,000 annually.
- Create a new earnings activity for the Business Development Credit for energy efficiency and renewable energy project expenditures by a business, specifying WEDC may provide an incentive of up to 25 percent of expenditures on real or personal property for such projects.
- Increase the limit on how much the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) may invest of its general funds in small businesses and start-up companies from $1 million in total to $1 million annually.
WORKFORCE:
- Establish a $50 million affordable workforce housing grant program to provide resources to local municipalities to encourage the development of additional affordable workforce housing in the state.
- Modify current tax incremental financing (TIF) law to allow municipalities to use TIF districts to spur the creation of workforce housing.
- Provide $250,000 annually to expand youth apprenticeship opportunities to more school districts and youth throughout the state.
- Provide $10 million for Wisconsin Fast Forward grants to fund worker training programs for individuals and organizations.
- Provide $8 million for pandemic recovery grants to local workforce development boards to fund local training programs.
- Provide $200,000 for local workforce development boards to hold hiring events throughout the state for health care-related careers and career exploration courses to increase interest in health care employment.
- Provide $9.7 million and project positions to create a new worker pilot program at the Department of Workforce Development to assist individuals in obtaining meaningful employment by overcoming barriers to employment.
- Increase funding for the Wisconsin Technical College System by $36 million.
- Provide $79.5 million in funding to overhaul the state's unemployment insurance system.
TAXES:
- Limit the amount of qualified production activities income that may be claimed by manufacturing firms under the Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit to $300,000 per tax year.
- Create a Wisconsin supplement to the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit equal to 50 percent of the amount a taxpayer claims for the federal credit. The tax credit provides a tax incentive to employers who hire individuals in targeted groups who otherwise may face difficulty accessing employment.
- If approved by local referendum, allow counties to impose an additional 0.5 percent sales tax and allow municipalities with populations over 30,000 to impose a 0.5 percent sales tax.
INFRASTRUCTURE:
- Invest over $200 million to expand broadband access in Wisconsin, including $151.7 million for the Broadband Expansion Grant Program.
- Provide a total of $565.6 million in federal and state funds for the major highway program over the biennium to continue work on projects throughout the state.
- Provide $75 million for local multimodal transportation projects.
- Increase General Transportation Aids for both counties and municipalities by 2 percent in calendar year 2022 and by another 2 percent in calendar year 2023.
- Provide $3.5 million for a 2.5 percent annual increase in general transit operation aids for transit systems across the state.
- Increase State Highway Rehabilitation program funding by $66.6 million to provide a 3 percent increase over the prior biennium.
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Community Development & Redevelopment Authority Training Offered |
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Redevelopment and Community Development Authority members from Brillion, Chilton, and New Holstein “gathered” on February 24 to learn about financing options and roles/responsibilities of their organizations. The virtual training was provided by Phil Cosson of Ehlers Public Finance Advisors, and Rebecca Speckhard with the Public Finance Practice Group at Quarles & Brady.
A copy of the presentation as well as a recording of the video are available upon request. |
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Teacher/Employer Education Seminar Held |
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On February 19, representatives from nearly 20 local and regional employers joined with 85 local high school and middle school teachers and administrators at the first ever Virtual Business Education Seminar held in Calumet County. The virtual seminar was hosted by CESA 6 and the Calumet County Business Education Partnership.
The Virtual Business Education Seminar was a unique professional development opportunity for educators that connected the classroom to the workplace. Employers presented about their industry, discussing the trends, skill requirements, and opportunities related to their subject matter. The purpose was to provide educators with a stronger awareness of local businesses, how to connect students to future workforce opportunities, and potential collaboration opportunities to enhance classroom instruction.
Participants from Hilbert, New Holstein, Valders, and Stockbridge schools heard from business and industry leaders in the Health Science, Manufacturing/Engineering/ Construction, Human Services/Education, Agriculture/Food Science, Arts Communication/Information Systems and Business Management career opportunities. Employers that participated and made this event possible are Amerequip, Ascension Calumet Hospital, Briess Industries, Calumet County Sheriff, Calumet County Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Resource and Referral, Metko Inc, proceed.app & Simple Safety Coach, Pure Storage, Sargento, SECURA Insurance Co., Thrivent, Tri-County News, UW Madison-Division of Extension Calumet County, Villa Loretto, and Walbec Group.
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Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant Program Accepting Applications |
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The Department of Workforce Development's Office of Skills Development (OSD) is again accepting applications. Grant offerings have been redesigned into a single grant opportunity, "Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants." This grant program is designed to help fund the development of innovative and collaborative customized worker training programs.
Key features of this grant program:
- Grants are available to all industry sectors and companies of any size;
- Grant award amounts may range from $5,000 to $400,000;
- Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the grant award amount is required;
- Grantee must complete training of at least 85% of the contracted number of trainees; and
- At least 65% of trainees must be placed in positions with the placement partner(s) identified in the grant application, in positions that require the skills taught in the award-supported training.
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Local Employers – Learn More about Youth Apprentice Opportunities
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The Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship program integrates school-based and work-based learning. Students accepted into an approved Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program continue taking classes at their high school while working as an apprentice at a participating business. A CESA school-based coordinator makes sure the YA experience is a good fit for student and employer, and also supervises the learning experience.
This month’s featured student is Trevor Vogel, who graduated from New Holstein High School in 2020 following a YA experience the Wasmer Company. Interested employers are encouraged to review CESA’s Employer Guidebook for more information.
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Calumet County Offers COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Site |
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COVID Testing
Calumet County currently offers a FREE drive-thru testing site utilizing a federal mobile testing unit operated by ThedaCare. This “self-swab” and appointment-only registration process operates at Christ the Rock Church Community Church every Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Christ the Rock Community Church is located at W6254 US Highway 10/114
in Menasha. Anyone experiencing symptoms, those who believe they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, and anyone who is worried about possibly having the virus can be tested. The site is open to anyone regardless of county of residence, and testing is not limited to ThedaCare patients.
COVID Vaccinations
Local employers are encouraged to follow updates on the Calumet County Public COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic available at the county’s website. This site is updated regularly and provides the most up-to-date information available about the public clinic. Interested parties can sign up to receive ongoing email updates from this site as well. While demand for the vaccine continues to exceed availability, the county is doing its best to meet the demand as greater supplies become available, and continues to coordinate with public clinics offered in neighboring communities such as Appleton. In addition to the public clinic, employers are also encouraged to have employees check with personal physicians and local pharmacies as their age and employment categories become eligible to be vaccinated. |
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Calumet County Business Assistance |
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Ray York of the Small Business Development Center serves Calumet County with business assistance to existing and start-up businesses throughout the county. Small Business Development Center services are available at no cost to businesses. Ray’s goal is to provide opportunity to clients by guiding them to make informed decisions to start, expand, or transition their business. He can be reached by phone at 920-946-9379 or email. |
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KinderCare Brillion Early Learning Center |
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Construction progress continues at the KinderCare Brillion Early Learning Center facility being built on the Brillion Works LLC redevelopment site. BrillionWorks support team members recently toured the project, including (left to right) Keely Campbell and Scott Wilson, Ayres & Associates; Mary Kohrell, Calumet County; Peter Wills, City of Brillion; Mark Olsen, BrillionWorks; Barb LaMue, New North, and Mel Edinger, City of Brillion.
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Hilbert Ready to Demolish Cheese Warehouse |
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It’s a new twist on the famous line from the TV show “The Price is Right”: “Come on down!” But in this case, it’s about demolition of the long-vacant Bel Foods warehouse on the southeast corner of Eighth Street and Chestnut Street, just south of Civic Park.
The site will be cleared and put on the market for sale for future development as one of the best locations in the village – on the main highway and next to the largest village park. State and federal grants are paying for the project, with the village taking care of attorney fees and the up-front environmental assessment of the site.
At its February 9 meeting, the village board authorized Village President Mark Breckheimer to sign the contract to proceed with the demolition. The village will have until December 31 of 2022 to finish the project, but Village Administrator Dennis DuPrey said the idea is to have it completed much sooner, so the prime property can be marketed for new development.
The grant money will fund demolition, including asbestos abatement, and landscaping. The grants total around $700,000. Because of the asbestos, none of the demolition waste can be saved or recycled, such as by crushing concrete and cinder block waste into breaker run.
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Small and medium sized businesses are encouraged to take advantage of a free four-part Digital Readiness Series designed to help small and medium-sized business owners develop the skills needed to succeed online. The series aims to help small and medium-sized businesses owners:
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Get found online: Get your business online and improve your digital presence.
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Reach more customers: Connect with more customers in more places.
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Sell online: Make it easy for customers to shop with you on your website.
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Work remotely: Run your business from anywhere.
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New North’s Summit “Playbook for Recovery” Series
As a way to highlight the actions of business and community leaders to help get our region back on the road to recovery, you will not want to miss the series of virtual events leading up to the in-person Summit at Lambeau Field in the Atrium on June 10.
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The first virtual event is Thursday, March 11, from 8:30 to 10:00 am, with virtual networking to follow provided by Insight Publications.
This event will feature:
- A message from WEDC Secretary & CEO Missy Hughes on the regional alignment with state economic development initiatives
- Green Bay Packers President & CEO Mark Murphy’s message on the organization's investment in addressing racial inequity and their support of entrepreneurs
- Green Bay Packaging Executive Vice President Bryan Hollenbach’s update on the new Green Bay Mill
- A sneak peek message from the Summit’s Keynote Speaker, Tim Moore
- VP Manny Vasquez from NAI Pfefferle with a commercial real estate update
- Business development videos, and more
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The April 14 Business & Community Training Camp from 9:00 to 10:00 am will feature additional developments submitted by New North’s local partners, a presentation by St. Norbert College on scenario planning based on the COVID impacts to our region, an update on the NEW Launch Alliance, and insights from three local founders.
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The May 12 Education and Talent Attraction Training Camp from 9:00 to 10:00 am will focus on best practices around upskilling and talent attraction methods, work of the industry alliances, and a real estate forecast as it relates to pandemic effects.
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These virtual sessions all lead up to the in-person main event on June 10.
- This June event will feature our “Offense,” provided by President and CEO Kim Bassett of Bassett Mechanical, discussing their regional growth.
- Imran A. Andrabi, MD, president and CEO of ThedaCare, will give his perspective on “Defense,” representing an industry that has risen to the challenges of caring for COVID-19 patients.
- Michelle Schuler of TechSpark Wisconsin at Microsoft and Joe Kirgues of gener8tor will focus on “Special Teams” as they discuss the gener8tor Upskilling initiative which is assisting those who have lost employment due to the pandemic.
We will celebrate the winner of the Workplace Excellence Award, presented by Right Management, all wrapping up with a tailgate luncheon and a high school drumline competition.
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ExporTech™ - Strategic Growth Through Exporting
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Regardless of where your company is today, ExporTech™ takes you to the next strategic level. Build your customized, strategic export expansion plan with data, best practices, and a repeatable, results-proven process focused on ROI, execution, and minimal risk.
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Virtual ExporTech - Monday thru Friday, 1:00-3:30 pm over 3 weeks. Wk March 8, Wk April 26, Wk June 7
- You will learn: 1) Process of exporting using best practices; 2) Process of development of an export strategic expansion plan, and 3) meet key Fed/State and private sector entities to best support your growth. All materials transparent, electronic, repeatable.
- Customized coaching in between sessions for 1) Value Proposition/Target Market Research; and 2) Personal strategy development coaching by me. You will have assigned coaches from the US Commercial Service to support you in development of Target Market Research using data to identify top markets; then using your industry knowledge, competitor knowledge; we will focus that in on next best 3 target countries with highest ROI potential/least risk.
- Final session – Your plan is “shark tanked” by +3 Export Experts to provide additional pros/cons, recommendations for success.
Cost: $7,500, less $3,000 WEDC Scholarship = $4,500 PAID out of pocket. Full company, all 3 participants. Attendees – Three key roles preferred: CEO/President, CFO/Controller, and VP Sales (flexibility is available). Scholarship applications accepted through February 22.
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WWBIC offers classes statewide for new entrepreneurs, seasoned business owners, and anyone looking to improve their financial health.
One-hour, online classes, held in English and Spanish, are available in the following categories:
- Starting a business
- Managing a business
- Growing a business
- Financial capabilities
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It can be in times of crisis that new opportunities arise. Companies will emerge stronger from the current economic downturn if they take steps now to pursue opportunities and new ways of doing business—and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is here to support them. To help Wisconsin companies make connections in Canada, WEDC is organizing a virtual Global Trade Venture from March 22-26, 2021.
To adapt to the pandemic, WEDC has converted its Global Trade Ventures into a virtual format that consists of online meetings between Wisconsin companies and potential customers, distributors and other prospective partners in international markets. After learning about your company and products, WEDC’s in-country trade representatives will bring potential partners and distributors to you. All participants need to do is show up ready to make their pitch and ask questions to determine if the potential partner is a good fit.
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Explore Starting a Business
March 10, 2021
April 14, 2021
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Work for Yourself at 50+
March 10, 2021
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Innovation Accelerator for Veterans
Grant Funded Program!
March 3, 2021
March 9, 2021
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Calumet County Community Economic Development contact information:
Mary Kohrell, Community Economic Development Director
Connie Leonhard, Program Assistant
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