Fitchburg Area Resources and Updates – COVID19
Updated 4/15/2021 - 12:00 p.m.
As we move toward reopening our economy, we know that businesses want to take the steps necessary to ensure the health and safety of their workers and customers. Below are some resources you can consult for examples of reopening procedures and protocols that will help you develop and update your re-opening plan.
Dane County Public Health - Forward Dane Guidelines for Phased Re-Opening
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation reopening guidelines (General and Industry-Specific)
Wisconsin Safety Council (Returning to Work)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Returning Guidance and Business FAQ).
To inquire about Fitchburg specific challenges or opportunities for re-opening, expanding or adapting your business please contact:
Angela Kinderman
President/CEO, Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce - 608-288-8284
Michael Zimmerman,
Economic Development Director, City of Fitchburg - 608-270-4245
WEDC and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently published Vaccine Guidance For Businesses. This document contains guidance for effectively encouraging vaccination among your employees and how to set up a workplace vaccination clinic, as well as links to posters you can download or adapt for posting in your workplace. Download a copy of the guide here.
There is a lot of information on how to travel safely to our area. You can travel safely, with some precautions taken. Click here for some frequently asked questions on travel.
WI Department of Workforce Development - Frequently asked questions that relate to DWD’s services, information and resources for businesses, individuals and organizations, including Unemployment Compensation.
- Loans are available for up to $2 million.
- These loans can provide working capital to meet the needs of payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments until the situation improves.
- Interest rates are 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits.
- Online at SBA.gov/disaster
- Need help? Access these step-by-step online instructions
- Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can call 800-877-8339
- EIDL Frequently Asked Questions
The CDC interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The following interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. (CDC has provided separate guidance for healthcare settings.) This guidance also provides planning considerations for community spread of COVID-19.
Restaurant Opportunities Centers United has compiled a list of national and city/state resources and assistance available to restaurant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. Dept. of Labor released OSHA’s “Ten Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus” poster in 13 languages. The additional translations are OSHA’s latest effort to educate and protect America’s workers and employers. You can access the additional translations here.
OSHA has also published Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, its guidance aimed at helping workers and employers learn about ways to protect themselves and their workplaces during the ongoing pandemic.
The Business Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin is launching a new initiative to provide eligible individuals and organizations with free non-litigation business law services they could not otherwise afford, especially on urgent legal needs arising in the wake COVID-19. Eligible participants can receive brief assistance on a wide variety of business law matters including finance and lending, labor and employment, regulatory compliance, including privacy and COVID-19 related requirements and more. Click here for more info.
Are you a theatrical producer, talent representative, venue promoter, or do you operate a live venue, live performing arts organization, movie house or cultural institution, and have you been impacted by COVID-19? The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant included in the Economic Aid Act may provide grants of up to $10 million for eligible entities.
SBA has released new FAQs on the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant addressing eligibility, definitions, application, use of funds, business size, employees and revenue, and subsidiaries. Click here for FAQ on the grant.
There are several Covid-19 testing options in the Fitchburg and Madison area. See the list below for five testing options:
- Your healthcare provider. If you have health insurance, we recommend contacting your healthcare provider to see if they are able to test you.
- Alliant Energy Center. This community testing site is open Monday through Saturday for people ages 5 and older.
- UW-Madison. UW-Madison has testing available on campus for students and staff members.
- South Madison Community Test Site. This community testing site is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for people ages 5 and older.
- Community Pop-Ups. Some community test sites operate for just a day or two and are embedded in neighborhoods to make testing more accessible for everyone.
Visit Public Health Madison & Dane County for more information on your testing options.
The Department of Financial Institutions has authorized remote online notarization due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Online notarizations can only take place using regulated providers. There are four regulated providers at this time: Notarize.com and NotaryCam for the public, and Pavaso and Nexsys for title companies and real estate transactions. The online notarization is still subject to several safeguards through those providers to ensure the integrity of the process.
Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadRep) has published a list of business resources available for Dane County. The list will be updated on a continual basis as new information becomes available.
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is hosting an online Q&A for businesses affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic and the "Safer-at-Home" order. You can submit your question here, or review previously asked questions for additional info.
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association has put together a comprehensive toolkit to help restaurants through the COVID-19 outbreak. The toolkit includes information on marketing, unemployment insurance, financial assistance, delivery and take out tips and more.
The Latino Consortium for Action has announced the creation of a new Emergency Relief Fund which will benefit those most affected by COVID-19 in the Latinx community. The fund will prioritize funding emergency relief for our most vulnerable populations: undocumented Latinx workers and small immigrant-owned businesses. Click here for details on fund management, eligibility and ways to donate.
As part of the Wisconsin Ready action plan to support businesses to operate safely, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is working with partners across the state to identify manufacturers that can supply personal protective equipment and other materials.
CLICK HERE for a list of where to purchase personal protective equipment.
The Senior Center has cancelled all programs starting Monday, March 16, 2020. Home delivered meals will continue.
You can find many senior center resources online, including health and wellness classes, critical needs assessment forms and information on drive up fundraising events.
Call (608) 270-4290 with questions.
The Fitchburg Public Library is now offering same day curbside pickup services. To schedule a pick-up, please call 608-729-1790. Please have specific titles ready when calling. Pick-up and call in hours are limited. Please visit the library website for more details.
As of March 19th, Badger Prairie Needs Network (BPNN) will offer drive-up distribution of pre-packed bags of foods. Pantry guests will be instructed to remain in line in their cars until they reach the front of the line, and only exit their car when guided through registration and food pickup by a volunteer. When picking up food, do not bring children or extra guests with you. Only one person will be allowed to enter the building to register. All guests must provide an ID for the head of the household and new pantry shoppers should bring an ID for the head of the household and a document showing residence (example: utility bill).
For those who want to help: BPNN are temporarily pausing donations of food. If you are looking to help, and are able, please consider a monetary donation or signing up as a volunteer.
BPNN has temporarily expanded their service area to include all of Fitchburg for the duration of curbside distribution at the food pantry. If you hear of any households needing assistance, please have them call 2-1-1 or check out BPNN on Facebook online, or call at 608-848-2499.
Starting April 1 (and through the crisis) household may visit BPNN for food assistance 2 times each calendar month.
The River Food Pantry will not allow shoppers inside of the facility. Instead, prepared boxes of groceries will be available for pick up curbside. The curbside pick-up distribution hours will be Tuesday–Friday from 10:00am–3:00pm.
FAM (Family At-home Meals): Tuesday-Friday, FAM meals will be available when you pick up curbside groceries. These are free, healthy, ready-to-eat meals. See the schedule here.
MUNCH mobile lunch program six days a week: MUNCH will deliver pre-bagged lunches Monday–Saturday to children in the standard neighborhoods, as well as Kennedy Heights. See the schedule here.
St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Stores are now open for regular business hours.
Please check their website for further updates.
Get the latest news on school reopening plan and resources available:
Dane County COVID-19 Emergency And Recovery Fund Fund will address the needs of the community that arise as a result of the COVID-19 emergency in Dane County. U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are not classified as private foundations and faith-based organizations that welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious belief are eligible for funds.
The United Way of Dane County runs a free information service designed to connect those in need with service providers; including those looking for an emergency food resource. Just dial 211 on your phone, give them your zip code, and they will tell you where the nearest emergency food provider.
City buildings remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit the city website.
Find the latest news on COVID-19 in Dane County at publichealthmdc.com
Get ongoing updates on the disease, how it is spread, where it exists and testing.
The Tenant Resource Center has resources for renters and information on finding emergency housing.
Please contact us if you would like us to share information about your business' changing operations and services due to the COVID-19 outbreak.