Small Business Development Center
Supporting WI Small Business since 1980

SBDC Newsletter

The SBDC provides regular updates to our newsletter subscribers on relevant business news, best practices, courses, and other available opportunities.

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Looking for COVID Response Resources?

Below, you can find the archive of our newsletters since the start of the pandemic. Please note the send date of each message. Governmental programs in response to COVID-19 have been changing quickly, and the information included below was accurate as of the sent date.

Past Newsletters

4/13/2022 News You Need for April 13, 2022

  • The Psychology of the Deal…Value Doesn’t Always Equal Price
  • Badger Talks Podcast & Live Session Feature SBDC Director
  • Free Online QuickBooks Classes for Small Businesses
  • Inflation: What Small Businesses Can Do to Cope

4/6/2022 News You Need for April 6, 2022

  • Understanding Your Business Credit Reports
  • Free Digital Tools for Small Businesses
  • Main Street Bounceback Grants
  • Free Webinar with WWBIC Introduces KIVA Lending

3/22/2022 News You Need for March 22, 2022

  • Badger Talks Live Series features UW-Madison SBDC Director
  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) State of the Workplace Report
  • Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Awards Honor Participants
  • Using Google Business Profile
  • 2022 Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor’s Conference on Small Business Development

3/16/2022 News You Need for March 16. 2022

  • What Russia’s Attack on Ukraine Could Mean for Your Small Business
  • Know Your Fiduciary Responsibilities: Three-Part Webcast Series for Retirement and Health Plan Sponsors
  • Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grants for agricultural and food industries
  • SHRM State of the Workplace Report

Client Spotlight: Wildewood Plant Shop

2/22/2022 News You Need for February 22, 2022

  • We are hiring! Join our team as our Operations & Events Coordinator!
  • Top 5 Business Loan Options for LLCs in 2022
  • Prepare for Tax Season with Upcoming IRS Webinars for Small Business
  • EIDL Loan Payments, Previously Deferred, Coming Due
  • The Ground Floor Award for Small Business (hosted by GMCC)

2/3/2022 News You Need for February 3, 2022

  • We are hiring! Join our team as our Operations & Events Coordinator!
  • Free Market Research Resource
  • Dane County Small Business Awards
  • Ascent Learning Platform

1/28/2022 News You Need for January 28, 2022

  • Recognizing Our SBDC Teammate, Tara Brown
  • 8 Reasons to Consider Collaborating with Another Small Business
  • On-Demand Entrepreneurial Learning
  • Governor’s Business Plan Contest
  • 10,000 Small Businesses

1/13/2022 News You Need for January 13, 2022

  • Looking to Hire Graduating UW-Madison Students?
  • Blockchains, Cryptocurrencies, and NFTs
  • Free Tools for Business Development Webinar from Madison Public Library
  • Food businesses: FFI Fellows Program Now Accepting Applications
  • Four Questions Every Effective Business Plan Should Answer

Client Features:

  • Slide Gourmet Potato Chips
  • Millennium Geospatial

12/20/2021 News You Need for December 20, 2021

  • COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Deadline Approaching
  • 15 Ways to Maximize Your Company’s Cash Before Dec. 31
  • How To Set Financial Goals For Your Business In 2022
  • Congrats to Our Entrepreneurial Training Program Participants!
  • SBDC Featured on WKOW

12/7/2021 News You Need for December 7, 2021

  • Health Insurance for Your Small Business
  • Determining Your Market Size
  • SBA Webinar on Government Contracting and Procurement
  • 5 Reasons You Might be Rejected for Financing

11/16/2021 News You Need for November 16, 2021

  • SBDC Entrepreneurial How-To Video Series
  • UW-Madison SBDC Director on Innovate 608 Podcast
  • SBA updates:
    • Pandemic Response & Safety Grant Program
    • New EIDL customer service number
    • Webinar: Resources and Relief for Your Small Business – Access to Capital
  • Is There Really Good Debt and Bad Debt?
  • Need Employees? Urban League Offers Programs for Employers
  • Long-time SBDC Supporter Receives ‘Triple E’ Award
  • Free On-Demand Cybersecurity Course Supports Small Business

10/22/2021 News You Need for October 22, 2021

  • SEC Launches Capital-Raising Educational Tools
  • SBA and DOL Webinar: Choosing a Retirement Solution for Your Small Business
  • 5 Social Media Tips for B2B Businesses that Cost Nothing

Client Spotlight: Traci Rauner Design

10/19/2021 News You Need for October 19, 2021

  • Wisconsin SBDC Entrepreneurial How-To Video Series is Here!
  • Reminder: Main Street Bounceback Grants Still Available
  • Learn How to Create a Branded PowerPoint Deck

9/24/2021 News You Need for September 24, 2021

  • Updated Vaccine Guidelines for Employers
  • Planning for Retirement as a Small Business Owner?
  • FFI Webinar for Farms Receiving the Value-Added Producer Grant
  • Patent Resources

9/17/2021 News You Need for September 17, 2021

  • EIDL Loan Updates
  • Badger Bounceback Provides Grant Opportunities for Movie Theaters and Venues, Summer Camps, Minor League Sports Teams, and Destination Marketing Organizations
  • 5 Exercises to Help You Build More Empathy

9/10/2021 News you Need for September 10, 2021

  • Next Week is Small Business Week
  • Will a different trade finance approach work for your business?
  • September is National Preparedness Month
  • Updated statistics provides Wisconsin snapshot of small business health and economic activity
  • Employee Motivation Doesn’t Have to Cost Money

9/1/2021  News You Need for  September 1, 2021

  • Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants
  • Workforce Innovation Grant Program to Fund Innovative Workforce Solutions
  • Cash Flow Management Tips for Small Businesses
  • Dane Buy Local – Local Biz Awards
  • Employer Vaccine Forum: how the Delta variant is affecting businesses
  • View Forward Fest event recordings from the Innovate Network

Client Spotlight: Erica Hainz Opened Fiddlesticks Knits During COVID

8/25/2021  News You Need for  August 25, 2021

  • Interested in Government Contracting?
  • The David T. Prosser Jr. State Law Library is open to entrepreneurs
  • What is the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin?
  • Wisconsin Restaurant Initiative

Client Spotlight:

Betterbin Wins Doyenne’s 2021 Forward Fest 5x5x5 Pitch Event

8/17/2021  News you need for August 17, 2021

  • SBA Announces Supplemental Grants for SVOG Applicants
  • Prepare Your Business for Emergencies – Before they Happen
  • 7 Smart Strategies to Make Your Business Taxes Easier
    Upcoming SBDC Learning Opportunity
  • Launch, Learn & Pivot: Madison Startup Stories
  • Join us Tonight at the StartingBlock Open House!

8/6/2021  News you need for August 6,2021

  • Main Street Bounceback Grants Seek to Reduce Open Storefronts
  • Complete QTI’s HR Trends survey to receive a free copy of the full report
  • Cybersecurity Toolkit for Small Business
  • Streamlined PPP Loan Forgiveness Portal Now Open
  • National Small Business Week Virtual Summit
  • Join us at Forward Fest! BookMarkIT: Free Resources for Your Business

7/16/2021 Join us at Forward Fest!

7/14/2021  News you need for July 14, 2021

  • Small Business Tax Credits
  • Wisconsin Employer Vaccine Forum: Shifts in communication and culture
  • Backing the B.A.R. Acceleration Grant for Black-Owned Businesses
  • China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law – Key Takeaways
  • ReVise Consulting presents, in partnership with MadREP – Remote Work 101: Digitizing Operations
  • ReVise Consulting presents, in partnership with MadREP – Inclusion Across the Remote Work Spectrum

Client Spotlights:

  • Congratulations to Cairasu Home Care!
  • Bravebird’s New Film & community conversation July 15

6/24/2021 News you need for June 24, 2021 

  • Governor Evers Announces > $140 Million for Wisconsin’s Tourism and Entertainment Industries
  • Would Your Business Be Prepared for a Cyber Attack?
  • WEDC discussion includes how vaccination and relief funding affect taxes
  • Pressure Chamber Pitch Competition – applications open
  • Harness the Power of Social Media Without Spending Money
  • Need to Hire a Web Design Company?
  • A Podcast for Food Businesses

Returning to In-Person Work & Hybrid Work Models

  • We Weigh in on Hybrid Offices
  • 5 Myths about Flexible Work Policies

6/18/2021  When Can We Meet Again in person at the SBDC? (and an exciting event update)

6/14/2021  News you need for June 14, 2021

  • Ideadvance Seed Fund: Money + Mentorship = Growth
  • Small Business Tax Credit Programs
  • E-Commerce Funding
  • Are You Onboarding Employees Virtually?
  • Client Spotlight: Yips Yogurt Chips
  • Webinar: Making the Most of Your Bank’s Digital Products
  • Navigating Transitioning Social Norms During the Pandexit
  • Entrepreneur in Training Partnership Supports Formerly Incarcerated Future Business Owners

6/2/2021  News you need for June 2, 2021

Are Student Staff right for your Business?

  • Hiring Student Staff – What Are the Benefits of Working with Student Staff?
  • Federal Work-Study Program for Part-Time Staff
  • Student Internship Opportunities
  • Internships: Paid vs. Unpaid?
  • Links & Resources for Hiring UW-Madison Interns and Alumni
  • SoHE interns: Understanding one of UW-Madison’s lesser-known colleges

5/24/2021  News you need for May 24, 2021

Today’s message includes the following news, best practices, and online courses:

  • Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grants now open
  • Wisconsin Employer Vaccine Forum
  • Spectrum offers free advertising to minority businesses
  • Affordable Health Care Options for Small Business Owners
  • New Gener8or Program for high school students

5/10/2021 News you need for May 10, 2021

Today’s message includes the following news, best practices, and online courses:

  • Dane County Small Business Grant Program Reopened
  • Wisconsin Expands Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program
  • New App Connects Veterans with Essential Services
  • Affordable Health Care Options for Small Business Owners

5/3/2021  News you need for May 3, 2021

  • Restaurant Revitalization Fund Application Opens Today
  • Wisconsin Expands Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program
  • New App Connects Veterans with Essential Services

4/27/2021 News you Need for April 27, 2021

  • SVOG Portal Reopened
  • Restaurant Revitalization Fund to Utilize Point-of-Sale Systems
  • Upcoming Restaurant Revitalization Webinars
  • Wisconsin Innovation Awards
  • Financial Terms to Know for Your Business Credit Card
  • Cybersecurity webinar for Veterans and military-connected families

4/19/2021  News you need for April 19, 2021

SBA Updates:

  • Preparing to Apply for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)
  • How to request an EIDL Loan Increase
  • How to Request an EIDL Advance Reevaluation
  • SVOG Portal Update

Other News, Tools & Best Practices:

  • TeleWORKS Toolkit from Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization
  • WEDC Announces Wisconsin Main Street Downtown Pitch Contest
  • Building a Psychologically Safe Workplace

4/9/2021  News you need for April 9, 2021

SBA Updates:

  • Paycheck Protection Program extended
  • First Draw and Second Draw PPP loans
  • SBA Increases Lending Limit For COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans
  • EIDL Deferment Update
  • Shuttered Venues Grant Application Process
  • Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Other news & best practices, and online courses:

  • Wisconsin to Pay Out $46M More in We’re All In Grants
  • Public Health Order #15 In Effect
  • Dane County, City of Madison to Give Licensed Establishments COVID-19 Relief
  • WEDC Report Identifies Wisconsin’s Economic Priorities
  • MG&E Offers Payment Options
  • Minority Business Certification Demystified

3/23/2021 News You Need for March 23, 2021

  • SBA Extends Deferment Period for all COVID-19 EIDL and Other
  • Disaster Loans until 2022
  • Social media grant hosted by SMB Mad
  • SBA Launches Website & Details for Shuttered Venue Grant Gov.
  • Dane County Small Business Awards Accepting Applications
  • SBA Celebrates Women-Owned Businesses, Introduces New SBA Administrator

3/16/2021 News You Need for March 16, 2021

  • American Rescue Plan Act Elevates Small Business Support
  • Details Added for SBA’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
  • Evers to Host Virtual Badger Bounceback Live Sessions; economic recovery session this week
  • Wisconsin Adopts Broad COVID-19 Civil Liability Immunity
  • DWD’s New Interactive Map Connects Job-Seekers with Services
  • MCDC Hosts Webinar on Starting a Worker Co-Op

3/2/2021  News You Need for March 2, 2021

  • Streamline Expense Tracking & Make Better Business Decisions
  • Amazon Small Business Academy
  • Free Tool for Tracking Employees’ Hours
  • QuickBooks Offer
  • gBeta Accelerator Go Global Initiative supports Wisconsin Business interested in Exporting

2/23/2021  News You Need for February 23, 2021

  • Changes to PPP rules to reach the smallest businesses
  • WEDC Entrepreneurship Support Program focuses on LGBTQ, minoritized, veteran and women entrepreneurs
  • gBETA Madison Startup Accelerator Spring 2021
  • Improve Communication with Your Remote Team
  • Go Global Initiative supports Wisconsin Business Interested in Exporting

2/16/2021  News You Need for February 16, 2021

  • Evers Announces Badger Bounceback Budget Proposal
  • Work Opportunity Tax Credit
  • ASBDC Blog Draws Attention to Current SBA Loan Benefits
  • Upcoming SBA COVID relief webinars, including one with Senator Baldwin
  • Learn more about UpStart, a free entrepreneurship program for women and people of color.

    2/9/2021  News You Need for February 9, 2021

    • Dane County updates Public Health Order regarding gatherings, sports
    • SBA releases comparison of relief programs
    • Upcoming SBA webinars
    • SBA Releases FAQ for EIDL Targeted Advance

    2/1/2021  News You Need for February 1, 2021

    • Upcoming SBA webinars
    • SBA Releases FAQ for Shuttered Venues Grant
    • Small Business Tax Tips for 2021
    • State Bar of Wisconsin Launches free non-litigation business law services for small businesses
    • $5,000 Door Dash Grants

    1/22/2021  News You Need for January 22, 2021

    • SBA (and Related) Updates
    • PPP Loan Forgiveness Process
    • Tax Implications to Note
    • SBA Payments on 7(a), 504, and Microloans
    • Upcoming SBA webinars

    News and Best Practices:

    • Wisconsin Mask Mandate Extended
    • Small Business Equity & Recovery Grant (SBER)
    • Businesses Requested to Take Vaccine Survey
    • Main Street Relief Fund

    1/14/2021  News You Need for January 14, 2021

    • Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program – more details and resource link
    • First Draw PPP Loans: When can borrowers reapply or request an increase?
    • Why You Should Write a Formal Business Plan

    1/12/2021 News You Need for January 12, 2021

    News and Best Practices:

    • PPP Borrower Application Forms
    • Dane County Grant Program
    • Force for Positive Change Offers $10K Award
    • Shuttered Venues Grant Funding
    • Public Health Issues Order #12

    1/8/2021  PPP Reopens Next Week

    1/7/2021  News You Need for January 7, 2021

The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in the University of Wisconsin System.
It is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.