Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Businesses and Non-Profits

Forward Dane - Phased plan for reopening Dane County during the COVID-19 pandemic 

Forward Dane is the plan, issued by Public Health Madison-Dane County, for a phased reopening of Dane County during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward Dane provides Dane County-specific data and guidance for how and when we can begin to allow people to interact in a safe way and incrementally reopen businesses using a phased approach.  This plan is ever evlolving, please review the Forward Dane website for the most up to date orders.  Please click on the PDF link to view the Forward Dane plan in Spanish pdf  .

• Order #7  effective as of July 2, 2020 at 8:00am. 
• Order #8, effective on July 13, 2020 at 8:00am.

Madison Streatery Program: An Outdoor Eating Recovery Program

The City of Madison has created the following Streatery program under an Emergency Order to temporarily allow restaurants to expand their business footprint onto the public rights-of-way or in privately owned parking facilities if administratively approved by staff. For eligible restaurants, this may also include expanded alcohol license premise.

Guidelines Streatery Oudoor Eating Recovery Program - Spanish

Guidelines Streatery Outdoor Eating Recovery Program - Chinese

NEW State St. will be closed to vehicular traffic to make more room for physical distancint,  This will be in effect July 3rd and running weekends through August 23rd:

State Street Streatery Details

Safer at Home Order

Public Health Madison & Dane County has issued a local Safer at Home order that incorporates the elements of the statewide Safer at Home order.

• Emergency Order 28: Safer at Home
• Emergency Order 34: Interim Order to Turn the Dial
  Expands opportunities for nonessential businesses.
• Emergency Order 36: Interim Order to Turn the Dial
  Expands opportunities for some nonessential retail shops to provide limited in-person shopping and the opening of drive-in movie theaters with certain restrictions.

Mayor Rhodes-Conway

• Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway's Statement on Local Business with Regards to COVID-19
• Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce's Lunch (UP)Date with Mayor Rhodes-Conway

Public Health Madison & Dane County

Public Health provides updates and guidance and frequently asked questions about advisories and countywide orders.

• Best Practices for Businesses during COVID-19
  Safety and best practice information for businesses operating during COVID-19.
• Food Establishments
  Information for food establishment owners and operators.
• Other Establishments
  Information for owners and operators of pools, lodging, and other establishments.
• Farmers Markets
  Information for farmers market operators and vendors.

• My Business is Deemed Essential
• Safer Shopping

Restaurants

• Best practices and guidance for food establishments, Public Health Madison & Dane County
• Resources for restaurants, Wisconsin Restaurant Association
• Tips for food service operators, Wisconsin Restaurant Association
• Resource Guide for Wisconsin Food Cart and Truck Vendors, UW-Extension

Childcare

• Child Care Guidance, WI Department of Children and Families

Business Resources

• Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
  The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is compiling answers to common questions for businesses during COVID-19. To submit questions and read responses, visit madisonbiz.com/covid19faq.
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
  The SBA has support for businesses that will experience trade issues, manufacturing overseas issues, federal government contract issues and more.
• Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) Employer Toolkit
  This online toolkit provides information and resources for businesses during COVID-19.
• Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Cooperation (WWBIC)
  The WWBIC provides business assistance and loans for businesses in Wisconsin.
• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
  WEDC is coordinating with community partners to get grant funding out for small businesses.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  FEMA has information for businesses during a crisis and a template of a Business Continuity Plan to help business owners think through their needs.
• Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
  The SBDC supports small businesses with classes and counseling. You can call the Business Hotline 1-800-940-7232 or complete an online request to get the help you need.
• Department of Workforce Development
  The Department of Workforce Development set up an information page regarding COVID-19 related layoffs and Unemployment Benefits.
• UW-Extension
  University of Wisconsin-Extension has set up a financial resources page regarding hardship due to COVID-19.
• City of Madison Office of Business Resources (OBR)
  OBR has information and resources to support small businesses in the City of Madison. Contact us at 608-267-8721 or email us at obr@cityofmadison.com for information.

Grants & Loans

Before applying for loans, ask yourself:

• What will I need financially to get through the COVID-19 pandemic?
• What will I need to get up and running?
• Could I afford a loan payment prior to COVID-19? Can I afford one during or after?

Check with your financial institutions to see what they offer. New programs are being developed for COVID-19, so keep up to date on recent additions with the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce.

Dane County and Dane Buy Local have teamed up to provide a total of $10.8 million to support locally owned small businesses. Grant awards will range from $1,000 to $50,000.

KIVA offers 0% interest and no fee loans of up to $15,000. They offer a grace period for the first payment of up to 6 months.

WWBIC loans offer two options: a line of credit or a term loan.

• Line of credit: Loan of $5,000 – $10,000 with a term of 12 months and an interest rate of 9.25%.
• Term loan: Loan of $5,000 – $15,000 with a term of 60 months. The client makes interest-only payments for the first 12 months. For the remaining 48 months, the loan is fully amortized.

The Doyenne Evergreen Fund supports businesses led by women and people of color. The fund focuses on Wisconsin-based businesses that are doing something innovate in their industry and are able to scale to a national level.

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. Loans will be forgiven if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

This program is available for non-profits and businesses, including self?employed and independent contractors with less than 500 employees.

The maximum loan amount is up to $10 million but not more than 2.5 times average monthly payroll, generally measured over the 12 months prior.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses.

This loan offers long-term repayments of up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

Note: The fund is not currently accepting applications.

The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund provides $500 grants to help restaurant industry employees who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Funds will be disbursed on a first-come-first-served basis, subject to availability of funds.