FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 10, 2020

Contact: Senator Robert Cowles: (608) 266-0484

Cowles’ Encourages Applicants for Farm and Small Business Assistance Programs 

MADISON– Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) released the following statement encouraging local farmers and small business owners to apply for state assistance programs that open on Monday, June 15th:

Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, many farmers throughout our state had already been dealing with tight revenue margins and shrinking markets. The pandemic only worsened the circumstances for many agricultural producers in Northeast Wisconsin as they start the growing season with sizable financial outputs and declining revenues. I’m glad to see the Governor approve the request of eight agricultural groups and dozens of Legislators, including myself, by creating the Wisconsin Farm Support Program to provide a small boost that could help to preserve Wisconsin’s agricultural heritage for thousands of farmers.”

In the $50 million Wisconsin Farm Support Program, farmers may be eligible for a direct payment between $1,000 and $3,500. Eligible farmers must have a 2019 gross income between $35,000 and $5,000,000, among other eligibility criteria listed online. Applications open on June 15th and run through June 29th. Interested parties can learn more about eligibility and apply of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s website: https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/TaxPro/2020/FarmSupportProgram.aspx#passive5. Farmers with limited internet access can also apply by calling (608) 266-2772.

“From Green Bay to Clintonville, Kaukauna to Wittenberg and everywhere in-between, small businesses are a big part of the foundation of our communities. The owners of these establishments aren’t only local proprietors, but they’re our neighbors and friends. Now more than ever, businesses from Main Street to your street need our support. While nothing can substitute community patronage, a small grant from the state is a good step to help move past the economic impacts from the Coronavirus as we look to regain the prosperity much of our state enjoyed when we entered the new year.”

In the $75 million ‘We’re All In’ Small Business Grant Program, 30,000 business will receive a $2,500 grant to cover the costs of business interruption, health and safety improvements, wages and salaries, rent, mortgages and inventory. Eligible business must have 20 or fewer full-time employees and $1 million or less in annual revenues. Applications open on June 15th and run through June 21st. Interested parties can learn more about eligibility and apply on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s website: https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/wai-small-business-grant/

“The economic toll from COVID-19 is tough, but Wisconsin is tougher. This crisis wasn’t a making of farmers’ or business owners’ own fruition, but instead a once-in-a-generation pandemic that’s had widespread impacts. Neither of these programs are perfect, and there’s no guarantee that everyone who applies will receive assistance, nor can the payments fully cover the lost opportunities and continued expenses. But every little bit helps. I strongly encourage any farmer or small business owner who may quality and who’s felt impacts from the Coronavirus to consider these options and not let these programs pass them by.”

To learn more about the other expenditures from the nearly $2 billion in the Coronavirus Relief Fund, provided by the federal governments and allocated at the Governor’s discretion, please review Senator Cowles’ last e-newsletter on his website: Cowles.Senate.Wisconsin.gov

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