Vilas County Economic Development Corporation and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation held a teleconference roundtable Tuesday for businesses to call in and get help following the signing of the federal stimulus package.
The panel included state and county officials, both sponsoring entities, UW-Stevens Point, Lac du Flambeau economic development and a local lender. Many of the questions were technical, including how business owners could get funds, help their employees and several other topics.
On the panel was State Representative Rob Swearingen. Swearingen says as state government sorts out the massive federal bill, they need to see where their own efforts can fill the gaps...
"Now that the stimulus package is out, and the State of Wisconsin has a chance to dissect it through the (Legislative) Fiscal Bureau to see what the affects are to the state, it will be the legislature's task to fill the holes or gaps where the feds didn't address things properly..."
Swearingen says he's been in steady contact with legislative leadership and he thinks they will be offering a relief package soon...
"We are putting together a package, I haven't seen all the details yet, but I expect the legislature will move on something soon, but there are some logistical problems with what's going on in terms of mass gatherings..."
Swearingen says Gov. Evers order regarding mass gatherings makes it difficult to meet, as the 99 members of the Assembly have to be six feet apart and meet in Madison. He says once they figure out the logistics, they will likely pass a relief package.
VCEDC Executive Director Kathy Schmitz indicated other call-ins of this type likely will be held.
A link with moreinfo is here.
