COVID-19 Resources
We know the COVID-19 pandemic has and continues to impact many DMI members. The following are links and resources that may be useful to you or your business during this time. DMI is here to help our members and community in any way we can, so please let us know if there is anything we can do. If you have additional information that would be useful to add to this page, please contact us at info@downtownmadison.org.
- Public Health Madison & Dane County
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Center For Disease Control (CDC)
- Metro Transit Info
Support our Community
Find ways to support local community organizations by visiting United Way of Dane County’s site volunteeryourtime.org.
Take advantage of mental health resources available to help cope with the COVID-19 pandemic provided by NAMI Dane County.
Visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services webpage, Resilient Wisconsin, which has a number of resources including tips for health coping and dealing with stress.
Use the Safe Communities 24/7 helpline for Dane County residents to reduce stress-related alcohol and drug use during the coronavirus epidemic (608) 228-1278.
Take advantage of resources developed by advocates from Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. including information on the Wisconsin Eviction Moratorium, the federal CARES Act protections related to housing, unemployment insurance appeals, and public benefits related to COVID testing and care.
Check out the Covid-19 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources from the University of Wisconsin School of Nursing.
Relief Funds:
Give to the Downtown Madison Fund, a component fund at the Madison Community Foundation, created to promote the vitality of downtown and leverage opportunities within and immediately adjacent to Madison’s Central BID.
Support the healthcare community by donating to the UW Health COVID-19 Response Fund and helping in other ways listed here.
Give to the Madison Community Foundation COVID-19 Priority Fund setup to provide support for the unanticipated needs of organizations operating in the arts, environment and many other.
Donate to the MMSD Community Resource Fund and MSCR Community Resource Fund established by the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools to help direct resources to the scholars, staff and families of the Madison Metropolitan School District.
Give to the Latinx Consortium for Action Relief Fund for COVID-19 established to provide emergency relief for undocumented Latinx workers and small immigrant-owned businesses.
Support our Local Businesses
Stay up-to-date on local business specials including availability of take-out, delivery, curbside services, gift certificates, virtual experiences, and business reopening plans complied by Madison’s Central BID: visitdowntownmadison.com/2020-updates.
Donate to the Madison Virtual Tip Jar. This virtual tip jar is for local service industry staff – employees at bars, restaurants, salons, etc – to post their Venmo or Paypal information so that customers, neighbors, and Madison community members can continue to support them.
Business Resources
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce has a virtual portal for employers to submit questions relating to community response, best practices for businesses, guidance from local, state and federal authorities, available assistance for affected businesses, and more. To submit your questions, visit Slido.com and enter the event code #ASK4BIZ (not case-sensitive). Responses will be posted at madisonbiz.com/covid19faq.
The Urban League of Greater Madison has launched a COVID-19 Workforce Recovery Initiative. Workers who have been hurt by furloughs, layoffs, reduced hours, or other impacts to their employment situation or employers in need of workers now can find more info at ulgm.org/employment.
- Public Health Madison & Dane County
- City of Madison
- Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
- Destination Madison
- Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP)
- Wisconsin Small Business Development Center
- Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
- Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
- Wisconsin Restaurant Association
- WHEDA
- Kiva Greater Madison
- Arts Wisconsin
Business Re-Opening Resources:
- Public Health Madison & Dane County: Recommendations and Guidance
- Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Business Resources
- Wisconsin Safety Council: 8 Step Guide to Keep Employees Safe
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- The Dignity at Work Coalition created videos designed to inform workers of their rights and the obligations of their employers to keep them safe during the pandemic. Watch the videos here:
- Dane County Public Health (English): https://youtu.be/COsCcAdgdXs
- Dane County Public Health (Spanish): https://youtu.be/NaMNqmWssoQ
- State of Wisconsin (English): https://youtu.be/SiGqBQrFnl8
- State of Wisconsin (Spanish): https://youtu.be/XFB5ZQv4QlY
Small Business and Non-Profit Resources:
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has established several temporary programs to address the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. For additional information and status of the PPP, EIDL and other business relief options, click here. For PPP FAQ’s, click here, information and links to the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application, click here, and the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, click here.
The state Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has made available a public information page for questions related to COVID-19 and unemployment insurance which can be viewed here.
The WWBIC COVID-19 Fast Track Loan Program is focused on existing businesses looking for business financing during COVID-19. Business owners have two options to pick from depending on their needs: a line of credit or a term loan. To learn more, click here.