For Businesses

Helping businesses during covid-19

We realize that the coronavirus pandemic is producing an extremely uncertain and challenging time for our business community. We are committed to ensuring West Allis business owners, entrepreneurs, and their employees are supported during this time. 

All businesses are highly encouraged to start seeking assistance by contacting their financial institutions. Financial institutions are offering loan forgiveness and for many of the opportunities listed below, your financial institution is required to apply.

This page will be updated frequently with more information.

Restaurant Carryout Zone Program

To assist restaurants that currently do not have a "Loading Zone" adjacent to their business, the City of West Allis has implemented a temporary program to provide "Restaurant Carryout Zones" to make it easier for these businesses to provide carry-out service during COVID-19.  The City will try to accommodate every request, however, priority may be given to locations that do not have easily accessible parking lots. Apply for a permit for a temporary carry out zone here (PDF).

Tents and temporary structures

During colder weather and as the coronavirus pandemic continues to challenge us, tents and temporary structures can be an option for some businesses to support physical distancing measures to support the health of employees and patrons. Learn about tent and temporary structure guidelines.

resources

local resourceS

KIVA

Kiva lenders have shown their commitment to providing financial assistance to all by making 0% interest loans to entrepreneurs in the U.S. on Kiva.org for the last 10 years. In today’s difficult circumstances, we’d like to make it as easy and impactful as possible for small businesses in the U.S. to have access to affordable capital on the Kiva platform -- capital that may be the difference between shutting down and keeping their doors open.

Kiva recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has global impact, and will continue to explore ways to help as many people affected by this crisis as possible. Currently, the U.S. market is the place Kiva has the most agility to deploy financial assistance.

Effective immediately, U.S. applicants for a Kiva loan will have access to the following:

  1. Expanded eligibility: More businesses in the US will be eligible for a Kiva loan than ever.
  2. Larger loans: The maximum loan on the Kiva platform will increase from $10,000 to $15,000.
  3. Grace period: New borrowers may access a grace period of up to 6 months for greater financial flexibility.

Contact Renee Linder at Kiva for more information, or call her at 414-395-4548.

WISCONSIN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center Network has created this page to anchor important resources and information amid quickly changing conditions and unprecedented measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff across all of our centers are available to work with you via phone or virtual means.

UNITED STATES SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (or working capital loans) are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most private nonprofit organizations. They have set up a page to help you navigate the process.

Gener8tor 

Gener8tor is hosting emergency one-week virtual programs for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. These programs will feature daily webinars designed to identify, understand and help small businesses secure resources to withstand the current crisis. One-on-one office hours will also be available. Businesses wishing to enroll is should sign on the gener8tor Emergency Response Program website.

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)

WWBIC has moved all business and financial educational programming on-line and on-demand. WWBIC is also working with federal, state and local elected officials to support the many WWBIC borrowers, entrepreneurs and businesses in need of loan capital now! WWBIC is offering current loan clients affected by COVID-19 loan modification options. In some cases, these small business owners may have options for deferments, interest payments being covered, and direct grant support for payroll and rent. For more information contact Jaime Charon at jcharon@wwbic.com or WWBIC Servicing at wwbicservicing@wwbic.com. For current and new small business clients, WWBIC is offering fast track loans up to $25,000! Contact Michael Hetzel at mhetzel@wwbic.com for more details.

Hmong Chamber of Commerce

The Hmong Chamber of Commerce is offering an emergency loan fund in response to COVID-19. Small businesses can apply for a loan starting at $5,000 and up to $10,000. The business is required to have existed for a minimum of two years and be located in a low to moderate income tract or be a minority-owned business in Wisconsin. Once the application is complete, the business owner can send it and the other requirements to Yuli Her, the development coordinator, at yuli@hmongchamber.org.

State of Wisconsin Resources

  • WEDC: For program and other assistance available to Wisconsin business owners, please visit: https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/covid-19-response/.
  • Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (WDWD) - Click here for more information regarding Public Information for Unemployment for COVID-19.
  • Small Business Administration - WEDC and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) officials are working with the Wisconsin office of the Small Business Administration to unlock federal Economic Impact Disaster Loans for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. We will provide additional details on the availability of SBA funding as they become available.
  • Coronavirus Information for Partners -Answers to frequently asked questions by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
  • COVID-19: How we can help businesses - The Small Business Development Center-Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship has created a page with important information for its clients amid quickly changing conditions and unprecedented measures put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Department of Workforce Development - Unemployment COVID-19 Public Information
  • Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grant program:  early details of the $420MM Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grant program will make $5,000 grants available to Wisconsin small businesses with less than $7 million in annual revenue. WEDC will help promote the program. It will be administered by DOR similar to the WAI Phase 2 and Phase 3 grant programs. Full program details are not yet available, pending forthcoming guidance from the Treasury Department. For now all businesses should be directed to this DOR website for information.
  • Wisconsin Fast Forward Program Now Accepting Applications –  The Department of Workforce Development's Office of Skills Development (OSD) is again accepting applications for its redesigned grant offerings, "Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants." This grant program is designed to help fund the development of innovative and collaborative customized worker training programs.  Learn more.


National & Federal Resources

Other Resources

  • UW Credit Union Emergency Personal Loan - For those members who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, they are offering a low-rate personal loan to help with budgeting concerns.
  • USBG National Charitable Foundation’s Bartender Emergency Assistance Program - Emergency funding for bar industry staff who need financial support, can apply to the USBG National Charitable Foundation’s Bartender Emergency Assistance Program. USBG membership is not required to receive funds. Click here for USBG grant eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and the applications.