Madison Reporter

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is proudly touting the state’s status as home to some of the best support for businesses during the height of the pandemic.

“ICYMI: We're the top state in the nation for federal aid we've directed toward economic development and we're the top state in the nation for aid we've directed to support our businesses,” Evers recently tweeted. “That's work we're darn proud of.”

A new study by the Center on Budget Relief and Policy Priorities details that businesses and workers in Wisconsin received a higher share of federal pandemic relief funding than other states, with the Journal-Sentinel.online.com reporting that the state used more than half of the $1.1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan funding it received toward economic development initiatives.

In addition, out of the overall $1.1 billion, state officials applied $642 million toward grants for businesses and $130 million for workforce development. Among other uses, another $550 million was used for state operations, $122 million went to public health and mental health initiatives, $56 million went to social services, such as housing and economic assistance, and $45 million was used for public safety.

During the pandemic, Evers’ administration officials insist they went above and beyond to listen to the voices of small business owners who use their establishments as gathering spots in the community.

"What we were hearing from the businesses was, 'We don't need a lot, we just need a little bit to be able to pay our rent, or to pay our employees," said Missy Hughs, secretary and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

As of Aug. 31, the state had allocated about $2 billion of the $2.5 billion it received in ARPA funds, with the remainder having to be used by the end of 2024.