Kane County officials have less than 60 days to spend about $8 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds earmarked to help local businesses before the county must return the cash to the U.S. Treasury Department.
And, county officials say they may be willing to ease requirements established to help prevent fraud to get it done.
The county has received $93 million in pandemic funds, but has struggled to get assistance money to local businesses.
While most of that money will be spent on county and municipal responses, it set aside $8 million for small businesses. Businesses were eligible for grants of up to $20,000, depending on how long they'd been operating.
However, the county received only 250 applications and rejected about 50 for not including expenses, such as rent and utilities, that qualified for the federal dollars. There were 94 valid applications with requests totaling $1.5 million. About half the remaining applications are in limbo because they haven't been able to provide 18 months of financial statements to show losses suffered because of pandemic business restrictions and shutdown.
"The reason we set financial criteria in the original process was to avoid fraud," said Kane County Board Member John Hoscheit, who leads the committee overseeing the funds. "If they can't produce a tax return, that's a challenge. If we have recipients that weren't genuine businesses, that puts a challenge on us. If we are providing funds to entities, and we get audited as to whether we used the money appropriately ..."
Hoscheit didn't complete the thought, but the message was clear. If federal money is spent fraudulently under the county's watch, the county and its taxpayers are the ones on the hook.
With that as the backdrop this week, committee members brainstormed a slew of ideas to get the funds out the door faster. Even if every business application it received is approved, the county still has more than $4 million in the business funds to push out, plus another $3.8 million in a contingency fund.
What emerged is a plan to expand the number and kinds of businesses that qualify and strip down anti-fraud paperwork.
Officials are working on a plan that would leave the current business program in place. However, it would make all businesses eligible -- not just those with up to $2.5 million in gross annual profit. It would also require financial statements only from January through September 2020.
A new, second business program would feature grants of up to $25,000. New and previous applicants would be eligible with the same pared-down requirements. That plan targets businesses impacted by the latest pandemic business restrictions, but bars and restaurants would receive priority.
There would be a new pool of $1 million set aside for entertainment venues, such as Paramount and Arcada theaters, and banquet facilities. Those establishments would be eligible for grants of up to $100,000.
A final pool of $250,000 would be available to historical societies and museums. Grants would max out at $10,000.
The full county board must first vote to approve any or all of the plans before they move forward. It meets next Tuesday. Read more: Daily Herald
Wauconda Area Chamber: FREE STREET SIGNS
IF YOU ARE AN AREA BUSINESS THAT HAS A HIGHLY VISIBLE STOREFRONT, HELP YOURSELF TO OUR NEW 24" X 36" OUTDOOR SIGNS. SAVE OUR BUSINESSES! CALL THE OFFICE AT 847-526-5580 AND WE WILL DELIVER to your Wauconda Business! While supplies last.
Geneva Chamber: Tis the Season to be Jolly! Only 10 spots left for Christmas Walk Weekend Sponsorship Opportunity:)
Good Afternoon!
I hope you are enjoying these last few days of the gorgeous weather we are having. Last week , I had sent out an email in regards to our Christmas Walk Weekends Sponsorship opportunities! I was overjoyed to see so many people have an interest in sponsoring these events! It truly amazes me how our community has come together during this tough time and gives me confidence we will all get through this together 😉
Here is a list below of the sponsorships that our left: Please email or call to see what is included in each package.
Cocoa, Coffee and Caroling Event:
Tent Sponsor: $1000
Table Sponsor: $500
Stage Sponsor: $1000
Ticket Sponsor: $650
Tent Advertising Sponsor: $250
Chestnut Sponsor: $600
Courthouse Lawn Light Display
Week 1: $1000
Week 2: $1000
Week 3: $1000
Cocoa Crawl Signage: $500
Thank you ,
Kelli Rogers, Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Sponsorship Director
Krogers@genevachamber.com - Cell: 815-351-6838 - Office: 630-232-6060
#BestChamber practices: Shawano Chamber: Financial Assistance information on Website
The COVID-19 Pandemic Response Nonprofit Grant Program-Deadline Nov. 9
We’re All In Small Business Grants-Round 2 starting Oct. 19, 2020
Rural Business Revival Grant for Minority, Single Mothers
Lost Wages Grant Approved for Wisconsin by FEMA-Sept. 1, 2020
We’re All In Small Business Grant Program-State of Wisconsin
Workshare Program-Financial Assistance for Payroll
Financial Support for Wisconsin Farmers
Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
Rental Assistance Program-State of Wisconsin
Ethnic Minority Emergency Small Business Grant
City of Shawano Hope Grant
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Application–ALL small businesses are encouraged to apply for this which includes a grant portion.
This loan application includes an advance up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This advance does NOT have to be paid back.
SBA Financial Relief Options and Explanations
Payroll Protection Application
Payroll Protection FAQ’s
Payroll Protection Program and Application
Small Business Owners Guide to CARES Act
US Chamber & Inc Magazine Town Hall video answering questions about Payroll Protection and Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Congress has approved $350 billion in emergency loans for small businesses to help them keep workers employed. In fact, if small businesses maintain or later restore their payrolls, they may not have to repay some — or possibly any — of the loan. Here’s a guide and checklist from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to help your small business through the process.
Wis. Governor’s Order prohibiting eviction for residents and small businesses for failure to pay rent or mortgage for 60 days.
SBA Disaster Loan
SBA FAQ’s
WEDC-Small Business Disaster Grants Info
WEDC SB2020 Grant Program
$12 Million distributed through Wisconsin tourism grants
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism distributed nearly 12 million dollars in CARES Act funding through "TRAVEL" Stimulus Grants across the state.
TRAVEL stands for Tourism Relief to Accelerate Vitality and Economic Lift.
Oneida County received a total of $301,599.74. In total, 158 recipients received TRAVEL grant funds totaling nearly $12 million.
The Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce received $135,798.49, the Oneida County Tourism Council received $24,560, the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce received $90,781, the Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce received $30,160.25 and the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce received $20,300.
“COVID forced us to cancel or retool so many of our key events,” said Krystal Westfahl, Executive Director of the Let’s Minocqua Visitors Bureau + Chamber of Commerce. “This money is absolutely critical to our organizations as we work to recoup those losses and prepare for a stronger 2021.”
The TRAVEL grant program was designed to help Wisconsin’s tourism promotion and tourism development organizations resume business operations and restore economic activity stemming from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The effort is funded through the state’s discretionary federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars.
“While there is no way for us to replace all that was lost, these grants are not only an acknowledgement of just how important tourism is to our state’s economy, but also a critical first step in a long journey that we will take together to rebuild,” said Secretary-designee, Sara Meaney. “I am grateful to Governor Evers for his commitment to Wisconsin’s tourism economy.”
Statewide, the funds will provide relief from the impacts of COVID-19 and support marketing to promote a safe and healthy experience for travelers and resident consumers amid the COVID-19 public health emergency. Read more: WAOW.com
Tourism groups in Walworth County share $500,000 in state aid
The Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce has received a $14,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to support local tourism promotions.
The stimulus grant was funded through the Tourism Relief to Accelerate Vitality and Economic Lift (TRAVEL) program, which in turn was funded by federal coronavirus relief aid.
Officials at Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce could not be reached for details of how the money would be spent.
The VISIT Lake Geneva tourism group based in Lake Geneva also received $300,000 through the program.
The state was allotted $12 million and awarded varying grant amounts to 158 recipients throughout the state based on committee evaluations.
Qualified recipients were scored by an evaluation committee based on a group’s financial need, the level of financial impact it suffered because of the coronavirus, and the impact the virus had on local tourism.
Grant amounts could not exceed $500,000 or 25 percent of an applicant’s average tourism promotion budget, whichever was less. Read more:
Lake Geneva News
Danville Boyle County Chamber of Commerce Community Map
The Danville Boyle County Chamber of Commerce Community Map is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Jeff Jewel, Treina Miller and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Danville Boyle County Chamber Community Map
Leadership Portage County Celebrates New Graduates; 24 area professionals honored at drive-thru graduation
Additional photos: https://portagecountybiz-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/p/talent/Eg3O7l2sfuZPvte-vuNKhDkByimAfhJqwXoVV4WBoGTH9A?e=iwEma0
A line of vehicles could be seen entering the Portage County Business Council parking lot. Noisemakers and party hats were donned by those in the line while supporters cheered with handmade signs from the sides of the parking lot.
This drive-thru graduation for Leadership Portage County participants put finality on what has been an interesting year. Participants began the program in August 2019, meeting monthly until March 2020. The group’s last session together was Thursday, March 12, just a few days before Governor Evers’ first Executive Covid-19 Order the following Monday. Participants met virtually in April and May, and should have celebrated with a graduation program the last week of that month.
These graduates join the ranks of nearly 500 program alumni county-wide. Leadership Portage County (LPC) has been in existence since 1994. LPC is a 10-month intensive leadership development program designed to give all leaders the skills, knowledge, and on-going support they need to succeed. Participants in LPC grow professionally and personally from the variety of leadership, team-building, communication and self-awareness exercises that are part of the curriculum.
The Class of 2020 participants and businesses they represented at time of application are below:
· Kathy Brandl, Loan Operations Manager at Simplicity Credit Union
· Paul Cibaric, Social Studies Teacher at Stevens Point Area Public Schools - SPASH
· Jennifer Dombrowski, Personal Banker at Investors Community Bank
· Barb Evans, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Manager at Aging and Disability Resource Center of Portage County
· Marla Habeck, Quality Assurance Team Manager at Skyward, Inc
· Angela Hintz, Teacher and Instructional Leader at Stevens Point Area Public Schools - McDill Elementary
· Jessica Isherwood, Operations Officer at The Pineries Bank
· Sharon Johnson, CEO at Stevens Point Area YMCA
· Sarah Kaetterhenry, Realtor at KPR Brokers
· Christie Keen, Senior Mortgage Officer at Simplicity Credit Union
· Mikayla Kleifgen, Director of Events & Marketing at Boys & Girls Club of Portage County
· Madeline Konopacki, Relationship Banker at Paper City Savings
· Tonya Kowalski, Director of Business Engagement at Portage County Business Council
· Michelle Larson, Executive Assistant at Community First Bank
· Nathan Lucht, Owner at Spotless Co.
· Caitlin Lutz, AVP, Loan Servicing Supervisor II at Associated Bank
· Julie Nielsen, Consulting & Support Team Manager at Skyward, Inc
· Larry Oathout, Director at Portage County Public Library
· Mitchell Pierce, Borrower Services Supervisor II at Great Lakes Educational Loan Services
· Kevin Schleicher, Sales Account Specialist at RPE (Wysocki Family of Companies)
· Mary St. John, Supervision, Account Management at Delta Dental of WI
· Terrie Tauferner, Director, Financial Accounting at Delta Dental of WI
· Steven Thompson, Associate Attorney at Andersen O'Brien Law Firm
· Casey Thompson, Digital Media Team Manager at Skyward, Inc
Portage County Business Council staff are in the planning stages for 2021 programming, which was delayed due to Covid-19. For more information about Leadership Portage County please visit,
www.portagecountybiz.com/lpc or contact Kayla Rombalski, Director of Talent Development,
at
talent@portagecountybiz.com or 715-344-1940.
Kay Smith Resigns As Algoma Chamber Director
It is with sadness that we announce the resignation of Kay Smith, Executive Director of the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce. Kay has served as the director of the Algoma Area Chamber since October of 2019. Monday, October 19, 2020 was her last day.
Kay has accepted a new position elsewhere and we wish her well in her new endeavor. We would like to thank Kay for all of her hard work during what has been a very difficult year.
With that, the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will be looking to fill the director position in the near future. A separate announcement will be made when recruitment for the position is open.
Midland Business Alliance Feel Good Links
