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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Small Business COVID-19 Financial Support |
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An additional $325 million in small business funds were allocated by Congress to help offset COVID-related business losses, including a number of forgivable loans and grants. Small businesses are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these financial resources! A number of the challenges and program “glitches” present during the first round of this funding last summer have been addressed, making more small businesses eligible, and making the program easier to manage.
Businesses are encouraged to contact their qualified accountant, their local SBA lender, a general SBA lender, or the SBDC for support in applying for these funds.
Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-relief package in December that provides critical pandemic aid to Americans. The measure provides another round of direct payments to qualifying individuals, enhanced unemployment benefits, education funding, and aid to key sectors like small businesses still feeling the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Calumet County’s Community Economic Development program is working with partner organizations to assist small local businesses take advantage of the $325 billion in small business funds including:
$284.5 billion for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans, a type of SBA loan designed to provide funds to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19 to keep their workers on the payroll. These loans may be completely forgiven if spent on eligible expenses (mainly payroll) during a specific time period. A small business can receive a second PPP loan if they have less than 300 employees and can demonstrate a revenue reduction of 25%. The maximum loan amount was reduced to $2 million.
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First time PPP loans for businesses who qualified under the CARES Act but did not get a loan (also called “first draw” PPP loans);
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Second draw PPP loans for businesses that have already obtained a PPP loan but need additional funding; and
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Additional funding for businesses that returned their first PPP loan or did not get the full amount for which they qualified.
$20 billion for new Economic Injury Disaster Loan Grants for businesses in low-income communities.
$15 billion in funding for tourism-related entities such as live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions.
$3.5 billion for continued Small Business Administration debt relief payments.
$2 billion for enhancements to Small Business Administration lending.
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2021's Best & Worst States to Raise a Family |
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By Adam McCann, Financial Writer, wallethub.com, 1/11/21
Raising a healthy, stable family sometimes requires moving to a new state. And the reasons for moving are often similar: career transitions, better schools, financial challenges, or a general desire to change settings. Wants and needs don’t always align in a particular state, though. For instance, a state might offer a low income-tax rate but have a subpar education system. However, families do not need to make these kinds of tradeoffs. They can avoid such problems by knowing which states offer the best combination of qualities that matter most to parents and their kids.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has made moving difficult at the moment, a vaccine is on the horizon. Hopefully by late 2021, families can start considering moving to a state that will better fit their needs and desires.
To help with the evaluation process, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 52 key indicators of family-friendliness. Our data set ranges from the median annual family income to housing affordability to the unemployment rate.
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SPOILER ALERT: Wisconsin ranks 14th. As shown in the image, the Badger State didn’t make any of the top 5 or bottom 5 lists. A fun and useful list to consider and think about our opportunities to improve.
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WEDA Unveils 2021-22 Legislative Agenda |
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As the “Voice of Economic Development” in Wisconsin, WEDA – the Wisconsin Economic Development Association -- is committed to working with state lawmakers to promote programs and policies that advance economic activity in all corners of the state. WEDA’s recently unveiled 2021-22 Legislative Agenda provides a comprehensive list of key initiatives to boost economic growth, including proposals to increase workforce housing, expand broadband access, improve state business attraction and retention efforts, and ensure local communities are properly equipped with policy tools to promote economic development.
Economic development can best be described as investment in growing the economy to create opportunity and prosperity for Wisconsin communities, employers, and residents. Economic development efforts have played a vital role in Wisconsin’s success and will be increasingly important as policymakers focus on innovative approaches to put the state back on a path to higher growth and increased business productivity.
Developing, enhancing, and ultimately strengthening important economic development tools and policies requires broad-based collaboration and support, and WEDA looks forward to working with the Legislature and the Evers Administration during the 2021-22 legislative session to pursue the priorities laid out in our Legislative Agenda.
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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. Students also enroll in a technical class related to their youth apprenticeship program. A CESA school-based coordinator makes sure the YA experience is a good fit for student and employer, and also supervises the learning experience.
CESA 6 serves 20% of the entire state YA program enrollment, with 11 career sectors and 55 career pathways for students. Dawn Grenzer serves as the CESA 6 school-based coordinator at the five high schools located in Calumet County, and is always glad to connect with new YA employers.
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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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Calumet County Offers COVID-19 Testing Site |
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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.
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Learning Center Takes Shape |
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The Brillion Learning Center is planned to open this fall, but from the casual observer’s eye on North Francis Street, it looks like construction is moving rapidly. Brick and siding have now been placed on the outside of the structure with construction crews working daily.
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Amazon begins 2021 with momentum never before seen in the retail industry. Its share price topped $2,000 at the beginning of 2020 and broke through $3,000 by mid-year as growth expectations became elevated. Full year sales due later this month are expected to increase at least 33% to $372.5 million.
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Amazon advanced its supply chain capabilities throughout 2020, increasing distribution capacity at a rapid pace to satisfy shopper expectations for ever faster deliveries. |
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The first major new payments system in four decades is expected to make it easier for customers make in-person contactless and online payments. The Federal Reserve's FedNow Service also creates new possibilities for merchants to offer innovative instant payment services. Ken Montgomery, COO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, explains how.
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June 10: New North Summit in-person event at Lambeau Field
This year’s New North Summit will be a series to allow increased engagement with New North stakeholders. The summit will occur over three virtual events and culminate with a large in-person event at Lambeau Field. It will continue to follow the theme of, ‘Playbook for Recovery – the Rules of the Game Have Changed,’ with regional business leaders describing their year’s activities relating to “Offense,” “Defense,” and “Special Teams.”
The dates and times for the New North Summit 'Playbook for Recovery' Series are:
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Thursday, March 11, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - 90 Minute Virtual Pre-Game (virtual event)
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Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Business & Community Growth Training Camp (virtual event)
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Wednesday, May 12, 2021 – 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Education and Talent Attraction Training Camp (virtual event)
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Thursday, June 10, 2021 – 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - In-Person New North Summit at Lambeau Field, inside and outside venue
- Includes ample networking opportunities, as well as, a Luncheon on the Miller Lite Deck
Online registration remains open at www.newnorthsummit.com. Early registration is available at the discounted rate of $75 until Friday, March 5. The entry fee will increase to $90 on the ensuing day and to $100 at the door on the day of the in-person event. Student tickets are priced at $15.
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WEDC Small Business Training Series |
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As the result of a USDA Small Business Development Grant, WEDC Main Street and Connect Communities businesses are invited to attend a series of FREE virtual training events. The following virtual webinars/discussions have been scheduled:
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- Digital Marketing and E-Commerce, February 10 and 24 | 8:30-9:30 am
- Placemaking: How Small Businesses can Create Places Where People Want to Be, February 17 | 9:00-10:00 am
- Pivoting Your Business Plan, February 3 | 9:00-10:00 am and February 11 | 4:00-5:00 pm
- Business Valuation/Succession Planning, February 11 | 10:00-11:00 am
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A New Year ... A New Start! WWBIC is Here for You! |
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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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Virtual Entrepreneurial Training Program |
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Whether your business is growing or brand-new, writing a business plan is critical to building a profitable venture, especially to attract financing from lenders or investors.
The Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) is nine efficient sessions to help you develop a plan for a thriving, profitable business. In this program, you will learn to identify customers, determine their needs and analyze that information into a feasible plan for starting or growing your business.
- Organize and better manage your business.
- Identify opportunities and market your business.
- Understand and get your business financials in order.
- Get funding for your business.
- Write a detailed, comprehensive business plan.
- Network with other entrepreneurs.
- Develop a network with small business support services.
Your cost is only $250 if you complete an accepted business plan. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) provides the remaining $750 in tuition assistance. That's $1,000 worth of business training for $250! Applications are available by calling 920-366-9065. You must both register online and apply for the grant here to by fully registered for this course.
Orientation: Thursday, January 28, 2021 – 5:30-7:00 pm
Class Dates: February 11, 18 & 25; March 4, 11, 18 & 25; and April 1 & 8
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Platform: Zoom
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Providing Veterans with a Compass to Business Ownership |
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The Innovation Accelerator for Veterans program at FVTC is a three-phase project which provides entrepreneurial training and technical support, networking opportunities, one-on-one mentoring and seed funds for either startup or growth expenses for veteran-owned businesses.
Dates:
Monday, January 18, 2021 | 5:30-7:00 pm
Tuesday, January 26, 2021 | 5:30-7:00 pm
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | 5:30-7:00 pm
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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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2021 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development |
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Equity in Economic Development
The 2021 WEDA Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, which will be held VIRTUALLY this year on February 3 -5, will address equity in economic development while exploring ways to support businesses, large and small, during difficult economic times. The conference will highlight Wisconsin businesses that have met the new demands of this past year with creative, collaborative approaches and explore the unique challenges faced by minority and women-owned businesses.
The Governor’s Conference is the biggest WEDA education and networking event of the year. Be sure to take a look at this year’s comprehensive agenda and plan to attend. We look forward to having you join us!
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Same Great Connections; New Virtual Experience! |
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Your participation in the Future Fox Cities Career Expo has long made a difference in our community and inspired future generations. In 2021, your Chamber of Commerce is working hard to ensure area employers can still enjoy all the great connections of this event in a pandemic-friendly virtual format.
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
8th-12th Grades - 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
College Students - 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Cost is $350 for Fox Cities Chamber members and $450 for non-members.
Interested in sponsoring this event? Our sponsor rate of $500 includes your booth, your logo in the lobby, and a place on the Scavenger Hunt route. Please email Jayme Sellen at jsellen@foxcitieschamber.com to learn more.
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Registration closes January 22, 2021 |
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E-Seed Express: Entrepreneurship Training |
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E-seed™ provides practical tools to prepare a business plan that can be applied immediately to your start-up or existing business. Gain awareness and expand your entrepreneurial and small business skills with these hands-on and interactive series.
Starts Monday, February 22, 2021
Location: D. J. Bordini Center, FVTC Campus, Appleton
Cost: $299
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Explore Starting a Business
February 10, 2021
March 10, 2021
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Work for Yourself at 50+
February 9, 2021
March 10, 2021
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Lean Coffee
January 28, 2021
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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. |
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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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