Focus on Calumet
A bi-weekly update on economic development opportunities in Calumet County
and the region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.
|
|
The challenges faced by most businesses in 2021 have been unprecedented, and the Calumet County Community Economic Development staff offers appreciation to all the local businesses that faced the challenges head on and persevered through incredibly difficult circumstances. It has been an honor to support our local businesses with workforce recruitment, accessing grant funding to address COVID-19 concerns, accessing adequate childcare for employees, and numerous other general business issues. Hats off to all the determined business owners, executives, and managers in Calumet County. May 2022 hold great opportunities for us all!
|
|
County Support for Child Care on the Way |
|
Calumet County Board members approved the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at their December 21 meeting to provide aid to state-certified child care providers in the county. The county has coordinated with Child Care Resource and Referral, Kimberly, to develop a countywide program that will help address the childcare shortage. More program details will be announced in our next newsletter. |
|
COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing, and Emergency Temporary Standard |
|
Calumet County is monitoring the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) which requires employers with 100 or more employees to monitor and support employee vaccinations, or to ensure that unvaccinated employers are tested at least weekly if in the workplace at least once/week. At the present time, it appears that there could be additional action by the courts to overturn the mandate. The county encourages affected employers to seek their own legal guidance on this issue. However, this newsletter will include periodic updates as additional details become available.
|
|
Microbusiness Grant Program to Open on January 6 for Second Application Period |
|
The Northeast WI Rural Microenterprise Resiliency Grant Program is focused on providing financial support to existing businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic located in:
- Calumet County and Outagamie County (EXCLUDING City of Appleton)
- City of Menasha and Village of Fox Crossing
- City of New London
-
See the detailed map of eligible locations.
The second grant application period will open at 9:00 am on January 6, 2022, so interested applicants should plan to apply immediately. There is a grant maximum of $12,000 per qualifying business, and limited grant funding is available in this second application period. Grants can be used for assistance with, but not limited to, payroll, past due rent, lease or mortgage payments, business supplies, inventory, and business operating expenses. Ineligible uses include construction of interior or exterior property as well as other non-COVID related business debt.
To be eligible, businesses:
- Must be able to document how the business has been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Must be for-profit and in good standing with State of WI.
- Have 5 or fewer employees including the owner.
- Must meet owner or employee low to moderate income eligibility qualifications as noted below (more details provided in the application materials)
|
|
The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Women in the Workforce |
|
Women in the workforce faced steeper job losses than men at the start of the pandemic, and those jobs are recovering more slowly than for men across the nation.
Data from the Quarterly Workforce Indicators series from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Chmura’s JobsEQ indicate that between the fourth quarter of 2019 and the second quarter of 2020, the number of women employed fell 12.7%, compared with a decline of 11.8% for men. As of the second quarter of 2021, female employment has recovered an estimated 62% of jobs lost, five percentage points below the 67% recovered by men.
|
|
The greater impact for women stems largely from the industries most impacted by the pandemic. Consistent with previous research, the greatest job losses for women were in accommodations and food services, health care and social assistance, and retail trade—all industries in which women account for a greater share of employment. However, within these industries women bore a greater share of job losses. |
|
Career CONNECT Event Set for January 27 |
|
Local employers are invited to reserve a booth space to connect with local 10th and 12th graders on January 27. Career CONNECT participation will allow businesses to have direct conversations with high school sophomores as well as explore hiring opportunities for high school seniors who will enter the workforce or are looking for apprenticeships.
|
|
Briess Malt and Ingredients, Chilton, was selected by readers of Craft Beer and Brewing as the #1 malt brand of 2021. Congratulations, Briess! |
|
Support from Chilton Area Community Foundation Makes Enormous Impact |
|
The Chilton Area Community Foundation has been instrumental in helping New Hope Center over the last five years. New Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides multiple services such as housing, jobs, and transportation services for the physically and developmentally disabled population in the Chilton area. One hundred percent of our residents and participants have very limited fixed incomes.
For that reason, New Hope Center tries to keep our rental and housing rates as low as possible which leaves very little in our capital improvements budget.
Thanks to the Chilton Area Community Foundation, we have been able do things like improving access to our homes, making them more wheelchair friendly and safe for a disabled group. Without the foundation’s support, these projects may have not been completed for years to come.
|
|
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant |
|
Verizon is providing resources to help ONE MILLION small businesses thrive in today’s digital economy. The newly-launched Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program provides a personalized curriculum including learning modules, expert coaching, networking opportunities, and more. Members are also eligible to apply for a $10,000 grant to help small businesses move forward.
-
Learning modules: Brief, information-packed lessons with strategies to use right away
-
Coaching: Guidance from business experts who can help apply what is known and being learned
-
Networking: Online opportunity to share information with other business owners, build a network, support each other and engage in potential projects together
-
Incentives: Gain eligibility to apply for grants and benefit from an exclusive marketplace of tools, solutions, products and services that can help move a business forward
To apply:
-
New to Digital Ready? Simply register for the free program, complete two courses or live coaching events, and become eligible to apply for the grant online
|
|
Main Street Bounceback Grants |
|
The Main Street Bounceback Grant program provides $10,000 to new or existing businesses and non-profit organizations moving into vacant properties in Wisconsin’s downtowns and commercial corridors. Funds can be used to pay leases or mortgages, operational expenses and other business costs related to the newly opened location. The reimbursement grant program is open to new or existing businesses opening a new location or expanding operations in a vacant commercial space as of January 1, 2021. Contact the grant program coordinator at East Central WI Regional Planning Commission for information.
|
|
Calumet County Business Assistance |
|
Business Start-Up and Expansion Assistance |
|
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 york@sheboygancountyedc.org.
|
|
Learn About Exporting on January 13 |
|
New North and WEDC are partnering to help partnering to help businesses grow a presence in Europe through Exporting. Attend one of two free informational sessions on Thursday, January 13, 2022 (one being held in Appleton) to receive key insights into the European Trade market, learn more about WEDC’s Trade Venture to Germany & Austria, hear about WMEP’s Exporting Gap Tool, get updates from SBDC’s Go Global Initiative, and schedule 1:1 meetings with the export experts.
|
|
2022 Governor’s Conference on
Economic Development
February 9-11, 2022
Monona Terrace | Madison, WI
Theme: Tackling Today’s Economic Challenges
|
|
|
The Governor’s Conference on Economic Development is WEDA’s biggest education and networking event of the year. We’re excited to announce that the 2022 conference, which is returning as in-person event, will feature industry thought leaders and practitioners who will tackle workforce and economic development challenges facing our businesses and communities. The packed agenda has something for everyone as we focus on talent attraction, strengthening our communities, and advancing economic growth in rural and urban Wisconsin. We look forward to having you join us! |
|
E-Seed Express: Entrepreneurship Training |
|
Thinking of starting a business? Need help? E-seed™ Express assists start-up, early-stage entrepreneurs and experienced small business owners in developing management and planning tools for their businesses. Participants develop a business plan through completion of weekly activities and business planning templates. Experts from the small business and entrepreneurial community provide insight into legal, management, marketing, technology, accounting and financing aspects of operating a successful small business. Cost: $299, materials provided. |
|
February 7-April 11, 2022
5:30-8:30 pm
|
|
February 8-April 12, 2022
5:30-8:30 pm
Virtual
|
|
February 9-April 13, 2022
2:00-5:00 pm
Virtual
|
|
Explore Starting a Business
January 12, 2022
February 9, 2022
|
|
Work for Yourself at 50+
January 13, 2022
February 7, 2022
|
|
1 Million Cups Appleton
Join us virtually every Wednesday
|
|
Please forward to others you think would benefit from this newsletter.
Want to get on the mailing list? Sign up here.
|
|
If you receive a forwarded copy of this newsletter and no longer want to receive it, please contact the person who e-mailed the newsletter and ask to be removed from their list; do not use the unsubscribe feature. |
|
Calumet County Community Economic Development contact information:
Mary Kohrell, Community Economic Development Director
Connie Leonhard, Program Assistant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
