Madison, October 6, 2020- NFIB, or the National Federation of Independent Business, today warns that the governor’s new emergency order limiting public gatherings to no more than 25 percent of a room or building’s total occupancy will kill Wisconsin jobs and further damage already struggling small businesses. The directive goes into effect on October 8 and remains in effect until November 6th. It applies to small businesses like bars, restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores: small businesses that are barely able to keep their doors open. The new emergency order is another blow to the service industry: Gov. Evers barred indoor dining for two months earlier this year.
“The governor’s mandate will have a devastating impact on the financial stability of thousands of small businesses,” said NFIB State Director in Wisconsin, Bill G. Smith. “The overreaching order will not only result in a loss of jobs for those employed by small business but set Wisconsin’s economy backwards. We cannot afford to punish small business right now. Thousands across the state of Wisconsin are in danger of closing. This new order will likely mean many of them will have to close their doors for good.”
Earlier today, the governor announced an additional $100 million in funding will be available to small businesses in the state that support tourism, entertainment and cultural venues impacted by the coronavirus. While that will help may struggling Wisconsin small businesses, NFIB believes the governor’s new emergency order is a step in the wrong direction and will require the governor to give service industry small businesses even more finds thanks to his restrictive actions that will eliminate jobs and restrict revenue for thousands of bars and restaurants across the state.
The funding, which includes $50 million in “We’re All In Grants,” will go to small businesses that have suffered the most in the face of the pandemic, including restaurants, bars, hair and nail salons and barber shops, and other entertainment venues. This is the second round of funding. Earlier this year, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation distributed more than $65 million.
