WI Small Business Grant Website Server Busy Due to High Load

OnFocus – Wisconsin small business owners seeking assistance through a second round of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) “We’re All In” Small Business Grant Program overwhelmed the State website this morning minutes after the application period opened. The site was later restored, with intermittent interruptions. (If you’re trying to apply, just keep refreshing!)

The first round of the WEDC grant provided much-needed financial assistance to thousands of Wisconsin small businesses affected by COVID-19. Despite the infusion of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relieve, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds administered by WEDC throughout the summer, many Wisconsin small businesses continued to struggle, which is why WEDC opened a second phase, making available more than $50 million of additional CARES Act funding to Wisconsin businesses hard hit by the pandemic.

Applications will be accepted from 8 a.m., Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, to 11:59 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2020. Applicants are encouraged to gather the necessary information and documents before the application window opens, but should note that the timing of their application does not affect their chances of receiving a grant. Grants are not awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.

Phase 2 grants of $5,000 will be awarded based upon the business’s annual revenue. Businesses with more than $0 but less than $1 million in annual revenues (gross receipts less returns and allowances) and one to 50 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) in 2019 are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to applicants that did not receive funding from the Phase 1 of the We’re All In Small Business Grant Program. Once these new applicants are awarded Phase 2 grants, Phase 1 recipients’ applications will be considered, with priority given to ethnic minority-owned businesses followed by businesses in industries most affected by the pandemic.

For more information and to apply for a Phase 2 We’re All In Small Business Grant, click here.

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