U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand today announced that USDA has opened a second application window for funding under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program.

This window includes an additional $25 million that Congress recently provided to the program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, USDA is providing this additional window for those who were not able to complete applications prior to the first application deadline for the DLT program. Any money not awarded under the first application window will be made available in addition to the $25 million.

Electronic applications for the second application window may be submitted through grants.gov beginning today and are due no later than July 13, 2020. Paper applications will not be accepted. Additional information on how to apply is now available on grants.gov.

Applicants eligible for DLT grants include most state and local governmental entities, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses.

USDA Rural Development has taken many immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. To learn more about Rural Development’s COVID-19 response, visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

 

Source: WTC

MADISON, Wis. – Twenty-eight entries representing sectors as broad as health technologies and innovations in products or services are competing in the finalist round of the 17th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.

The contestants have survived two rounds of judging in the contest organized through the Wisconsin Technology Council and its sponsors and volunteers.

“It will be young companies such as those advancing in this year’s contest that will help to lead the economic recovery once COVID-19 recedes in Wisconsin and elsewhere,” said Greg Lynch, chairman of the Tech Council and a partner at the law firm of Michael Best. “Our class of 2020 includes finalists in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, consumer products and IT, making them a microcosm of Wisconsin’s strengths.”

Advanced manufacturing ideas include a bicycle transmission; a “green” cleaning product that can protect surfaces for up to three days; a helmet for contact sports; an automated way to lubricate bicycle chains in motion; a modular hunting blind; on-site, on-demand hydrogen production; and more.

Plans tied to business services include a 3D manufacturing process that can be used to make violins – or safety masks; safety clothing for women; a multi-state scheduling system for court reporters and videographers; a software activated lock; and more.

Life sciences plans include a syringe adapter that increases dose accuracy; a platform for drug release that can cover months instead of days; a low-cost diagnostic to identify the DNA of seven gastrointestinal pathogens within 30 minutes; a device to help diabetics rotate insulin injection points; and more.

Information technology plans include wireless solutions for the audio-visual industry; a system that uses artificial intelligence to predict highly accurate picks for professional sports games; a platform to help smaller firms compete with larger companies by better controlling their advertising and digital media; and more.

Eight of the 28 finalists are women and 16 of 28 hail from outside Dane County.

Finalists will submit 15- to 20-page business plans for review by a panel of more than 100 judges. Each plan describes the core product or service, defines the customer base, estimates the size of the market, identifies competition, list members of the management team and provides key financial data. Finalists are also encouraged to provide feedback from a potential or current customer.

The “Diligent Dozen,” or top 12 business plans announced in late May, will give an oral presentation that can be viewed by contest judges and conference attendees at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference on a digital platform in June. Category winners, as well as the 2020 Grand Prize Winner, will be announced during the conference. More information on the conference will be available in the coming weeks at witrepsconference.com.

Sponsors are contributing cash, office space, legal assistance, accounting, information technology consulting, marketing, event space and more. About $2.2 million in cash and in-kind prizes have been awarded since the inception of the contest in 2004. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. is a major sponsor.

Additional lead sponsors of the 2020 contest thus far include Additional lead sponsors of the 2020 contest thus far include: 3Rhino Media; American Transmission Company; AT&T; Eppstein Uhen Architects; Michael Best; Pieper Properties; Quarles & Brady; Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren; SCORE; StartingBlock; University Research Park; Ward4; 6 AM Marketing; ; Associate sponsors include Aberdean Consulting; Whitewater University Technology Park; Murphy Desmond; Spencer X Smith and AmpliPhi. Additional sponsors are Applied Management; Versiti; Irontek; Madison Gas & Electric; Marshfield Clinic Health System; Reverbal Communications; State of Wisconsin Investment Board; the Wisconsin Technology Council and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

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New Library/Community Center Will Benefit More Than 2,300 People and Help Nine Communities Thrive

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Frank Frassetto announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $65 million to improve critical community facilities to benefit more than 600,000 rural residents in 14 states.

“Access to modern community facilities and essential services is critical for growth and prosperity in rural communities,” Frassetto said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner with rural communities to provide essential services, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

USDA is funding 38 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The investments can be used to build or upgrade schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities. In Wisconsin, the Village of Belleville Community Development Authority will use a $4 million loan to construct a library and community center. The library serves the needs of the village of Belleville, as well as residents from the communities in the towns of Exeter, Brooklyn, New Glarus, Primrose, Montrose and Oregon and the villages of Brooklyn and New Glarus. The new library/community center allow for future expansion and provide meeting space for community activities and small groups or businesses.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants, a detailed overview of the application process.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wi.

The Urban League of Greater Madison today announced that it has launched a new COVID-19 Workforce Recovery Initiative. The initiative will bring to bear the Urban League’s infrastructure and experience to help job seekers and employers meet current and future workforce needs.

“Since the pandemic struck, we have heard from and read about growing numbers of workers who have lost work. Simultaneously, we have heard from employers who have an immediate need to fill jobs. In sticking with our demand-driven workforce development model, the Urban League is uniquely positions to serve as a match-maker between these two group,” said Urban League CEO, Ruben L. Anthony, Jr.

The effort will be two-pronged in its focus:

First will be a focus on job seekers – both those who have been temporarily furloughed or permanently displaced as a result of the pandemic. Second will be a focus on employers – both helping them meet immediate needs for workers and helping them rebuild their workforce as we transition out of the current situation.

“We are grateful for collaborative and innovative efforts like this to support employers and workers during this unprecedented challenge,” said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon. “The Urban League is a vital resource for our community in providing rapid-response action to accelerate both the relief and recovery efforts underway.”

Other business community partners on this effort include Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP), Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way HIRE Initiative. Also integral to this effort are the Urban League’s longtime financial supporters including the Rennebohm Foundation, United Way, City of Madison, Dane County and many others.

The initiative will be led by Ray Allen, the Urban League’s Workforce Development Division Director. Allen came to the Urban League a little over a year ago having most recently served as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. His expertise will be critical to helping the Madison region make its way through this difficult time.

MadREP CEO Paul Jadin noted that “one reason our organization has had such a strong partnership with the Urban League is their ability to be nimble and responsive to the needs of businesses in our region. This is another example of their demand-driven approach.”

The Urban League has already identified a wide range of employers and needs in industries including manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and others. Our team will be available virtually to provide coaching, resume and interview prep, and matchmaking. The League is also close to launching online versions of some of its successful career academies. For employers, the League is able to provide a pool of candidates pre-screened to meet their hiring needs.

The Urban League is calling on the community to support this effort in two important ways:

1. Help spread the word to workers who have been hurt by furloughs, layoffs, reduced hours, or other impacts to their employment situation. Call us at (608) 729-1234 or apply online at ulgm.org/employment.

2. If you are an employer in need of workers now, please call Ray Allen at (608) 729-1233

The Urban League made an ambitious commitment to 1,500 job placements by 2020. “We will not waiver from that commitment,” said Anthony. “In fact, it’s clear we’re needed now more than ever!

Businesses from around the state can help state and federal agencies determine where economic aid is most needed during the COVID-19 pandemic by completing a survey managed by the state’s economic development organizations.

The survey — conducted by the Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) and the eight other regional organizations in the state along with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and UW-Oshkosh — asks businesses to detail how many employees have been laid off, whether the business can keep up with typical bill and supply payments, what aid the business may need and how long it can feasibly stay in business under current circumstances.

The answers will provide “information that can help mobilize our response, the state response and the federal response,” said MadREP president Paul Jadin, who is overseeing the data collection along with New North economic development region executive director Barb LaMue and interim director of the UW-Oshkosh Center for Customized Research and Services Jeffrey Sachse.

An unprecedented number of workers in the state have filed for unemployment in recent weeks as Wisconsin ordered the closure of nonessential businesses — such as dine-in restaurants, bars and many retail stores — to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, the respiratory disease it causes.

Responses from the survey, which may be conducted monthly as the closures continue, will be analyzed by Sachse and UW-Oshkosh to better identify which regions and industries in the state would benefit most from economic aid.

“Businesses around the state are impacted both by the health crisis and shutdown order,” LaMue said in a statement. “We want to understand and quantify the unexpected costs, lost revenue and lost jobs or reduced hours. Resources for small businesses with very tight cash flow will be especially important during Wisconsin’s recovery.”