WC Wisconsin News

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is proudly spreading the word about the state’s dealings with its small-business community during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“ICYMI: We're the top state in the nation for federal aid we've directed toward economic development and we're the top state in the nation for aid we've directed to support our businesses,” Evers wrote in a tweet Nov. 16. “That's work we're darn proud of.”

A new Center on Budget Relief and Policy Priorities study highlights the way both businesses and workers across the state benefitted from a higher share of federal pandemic relief funding compared to other states, with top leaders ultimately directing upwards of half of the $1.1 billion it received from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan Act toward economic development initiatives.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, state officials invested at least $642 million in grants for businesses and $130 million for workforce development. All told, the state allocated $550 million for state operations, $122 million for public health and mental health initiatives, $56 million for social services that included housing and economic assistance and $45 million went toward public safety.

As the greatest impact of the still lingering pandemic persists, Evers has long insisted that his administration has gone above and beyond in doing all it can to limit its reach.

"What we were hearing from the businesses was, 'We don't need a lot, we just need a little bit to be able to pay our rent, or to pay our employees,'" Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., said.

As of Aug. 31, the state has allocated approximately $2 billion of the $2.5 billion it received in ARPA funds, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The remainder must be allocated by the end of 2024.