APPLETON– Main Street Alliance members were thrilled to be joined by Gov. Tony Evers yesterday for a Main Street Alliance Roundtable discussion about support the state has provided small business over the past 18 months to bounce back from the pandemic.
Since the beginning of his Administration Gov. Evers has had our backs.
From working to get shots into arms, leading the country in those efforts, to providing direct grant support Gov. Tony Evers has worked hard for Main Streets across our state.
Since 18 months ago the Governor, working with state agencies such as the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Department of Administration and Department of Children and Families, has provided direct cash aid to businesses in need. They have also provided support for one of the biggest barriers for Wisconsinites reentering the work force, child care.
Over $700m has been spent on direct small business aid. That’s per capita one of the highest investments by any state in the country. In a recent DCF announcement Wisconsin SHARES is increasing from 35 to 80%, providing much needed relief for families (saving them up to $5,000 a year on child care) and $10 million to provide child care for smaller employers to help retain staff and support mothers and fathers across Wisconsin reentering the workforce.
Shawn Phetteplace, MSA-WI State Manager said, “Gov. Evers committed to join us for this important discussion about where we’ve been, what has helped, and where we need to go to make sure Wisconsin is the best state in the country to start and run a small business.”
“He received an invite to join the Bucks and President Biden at the White House yesterday but instead chose to keep his commitment to local small businesses who have been through so much during the pandemic. That speaks to his priorities and we appreciate him taking the time to listen to small business owners in the Fox Valley.”
We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and his staff to recover fully from the pandemic for Main Street and set a firmer foundation for the future. MSA-WI is actively working to pass the Build Back Better budget at the federal level to make some of these supports permanent for working families and Main Street Businesses. That’s what small business needs now.
At this roundtable we were joined by MSA members:
- Bill Wetzel, Acoca Coffee
- Robin Janson, Urban Evolutions
- David and Jane Oliver, Mondo Wine Bar
- Wendy Bolm and Eric Schultz, CommitChange
- Oliver Zornow, Building For Kids
- Michelle Tressler, Hinterland Brewing
- Jill Swenson, Swenson Book Development
- Yee Lee Vue, Bowl91
