On Tuesday, March 24, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that the effective date of the leaves available through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) will be April 1, 2020.

Based on the language in the bill, the effective date was widely believed to be April 2.

The DOL announced the effective date in a “Questions and Answers” document where it also provided answers to some common questions. Other than the April 1 effective date, the information is in line with what has been advised. The DOL also released two Fact Sheets, both of which appear to contain the same information, but it’s possible they will each be updated in the future with information that is geared more toward employees or employers.

• Questions and Answers
• Fact Sheet for Employees
• Fact Sheet for Employer

While the links above do not provide much new information, they are worth reviewing. The DOL still needs to answer many questions about how these leaves will be administered and how they will interact with other leaves. 

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today, March 24, 2020, directed Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to issue a Safer at Home order that prohibits all nonessential travel, with some exceptions as clarified and defined in the order. The order is available here. 

The order is effective at 8 am on Weds., March 25, 2020 and will remain in effect until 8 am Fri., April 24, 2020, or until a superseding order is issued. 

“I know the COVID-19 outbreak has been difficult and has disrupted the lives of people across our state. Issuing a Safer at Home order isn’t something I thought we’d have to do and it’s not something I take lightly, but here’s the bottom line: folks need to start taking this seriously,” said Gov. Evers. “Each and every one of us has to do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 so we can flatten the curve to ensure our doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers have the opportunity to do their important work. Let’s all do our part and work together.”

Individuals do not need special permission to leave their homes, but they must comply with this order as to when it is permissible to leave home. Similarly, if a business is an Essential Business or Operation as defined in this order, it does not need documentation or certification to continue its work that is done in compliance with this order.

Under this order, Wisconsin residents are able to: 

• Perform tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor;
• Get necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, such as getting food and supplies, pet food and supplies necessary for staying at home;
• Care for a family member in another household; and
• Care for older adults, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons.

Businesses allowed to operate under the Safer at Home order include, but are not limited to: 

• Health care operations, including home health workers;
• Critical infrastructure;
• Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise vulnerable individuals;
• Fresh and non-perishable food retailers, including convenience stores, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and food banks;
• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food and goods directly to residences;
• Pharmacies, health care supply stores and health care facilities;
• Child care facilities, with some limitations; 
• Gas stations and auto repair facilities;
• Banks;
• Laundry businesses, dry cleaners and services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of a residence, including garbage collection;
• Hardware stores, plumbers, and electricians;
• Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning;
• Roles required for any business to maintain minimum basic operations, which includes security, and payroll; and  
• Law and safety, and essential government functions will continue under the recommended action.

The order contains detailed information regarding the exemptions provided to certain businesses. If a business is unsure about whether or not they are exempted from this order, please contact the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation here. 

The public should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:

• Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house);
• Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water;
• Covering coughs and sneezes;
• Avoiding touching your face; and
• Staying home. 

This is a rapidly evolving situation and we encourage you and the public to frequently monitor the DHS website for updates, and to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram. Additional information can be found on the CDC website.

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updated March 25, 2020

As a result of sudden lay-offs and business closures because of COVID-19, individuals may be faced with the reality of new employment.

The Job Center of Wisconsin is a good option to consider, starting with the website: https://jobcenterofwisconsin.com/.

Browsers may start a search by job title (like accountant) or by city/zip code in the upper right corner of the Job Center’s website.

Other resources for both employers and job seekers can be found at http://wisconsinjobcenter.org/otherassistance/default.htm

Reflective topics for employers and job seekers include recruitment, employee retention, workforce training, plan a career, training and education, and look for a job.

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is closing Job Centers across the state starting Wednesday, March 25th. This includes the St. Croix Valley Job Center in River Falls, Wisconsin which serves the Greater St. Croix Valley.

As an alternative, their staff will be offering over-the-phone appointments to assist people who are searching for jobs, creating an account on the Job Center’s website, or utilizing online tools. Please call (715) 836-5156 to make an appointment for over-the-phone support for job search assistance.

Please consider the Job Center of Wisconsin as a good starting point.

On March 23rd, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) released an informative document entitled, “Navigating through COVID-19 in Wisconsin,” a guide for small businesses and the community organizations serving them.

Read WEDC’s press release here:
https://wedc.org/blog/wedc-releases-guide-for-small-businesses-and-the-community-organizations-that-serve-them/

“Navigating Through COVID-19″ is available on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) website at:

https://wedc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/WEDC_Response-to-COVID_19.pdf

On March18th, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced the preliminary January 2020 unemployment rates for Wisconsin’s 72 counties and the 34 cities with populations greater than 25,000 residents. St. Croix County’s January rate was estimated at 4.8%. For comparison, St. Croix’s final rate in December was 3.6% and November’s final rate was 3.0%. One year ago, the county’s unemployment rate was estimated at 4.2%.

DWD said preliminary unemployment rates from December to January increased in all 72 counties. The rates ranged from 2.8% in Lafayette to 7.9% in Menominee.

Preliminary unemployment rates increased in all of Wisconsin’s 33 largest municipalities from December to January. Rates ranged from 2.7% in Madison to 6.1% in Racine.

The five counties with the lowest unemployment rates in January include Layfette (2.8%), Iowa (3.2%), Dane (3.4%), Green (also at 3.4%), and Calumet (also at 3.4%). Menominee County had the highest rate in January at 7.9%, followed by Iron (7.6%), Marinette (7.3%), Forest (7.2%), and Rusk (7.1%).

St. Croix, Pierce, Polk, and Dunn counties comprise Wisconsin’s Greater St. Croix Valley. In addition to St. Croix’s rate of 4.8%, January’s preliminary rate in Pierce was 4.9%, while Dunn was at 5.0% and Polk at 6.5%.

St. Croix and Pierce counties are included in the 15-county Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI metro area. The January 2020 unemployment rate for the Twin Cities was estimated at 3.3%, which is higher than the final rate of 3.0% in December and November’s final rate of 2.7%. The unemployment rate in the Twin Cities was 3.6% in January 2019.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate for Wisconsin in January was estimated at 3.5%, which is the same as the final rate of 3.3% for both December and November. One year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 3.1%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in Minnesota in January was estimated at 3.2%, which is the lower than the final rate of 3.3% for both December and November. Minnesota’s seasonally-adjusted rate one year ago was 3.2%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in the U.S. for January was estimated at 3.6%, which is higher than the final rate of 3.5% for both December and November. One year ago, the U.S. rate (seasonally adjusted) was estimated at 4.0%

Wisconsin’s preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for January was estimated at 66.9%, which is the same as December’s final rate 67.0% but lower than November’s final rate of 67.1%. One year ago, Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate was 67.2%. The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for the U.S. in January was estimated at 63.4%, which is higher than the final rate of 63.2% for December and November. One year ago, the labor force participation rate in the U.S. was 63.2%.

January’s estimates are preliminary and are subject to revision within the next few weeks.

On February 20th, St. Croix EDC honored its 2019 business of the year winners at a banquet hosted by Kilkarney Hills Golf Course in River Falls, Wisconsin. The 2019 honorees included Gallery 77 Stone (City of Hudson; ‘Emerging Business of the Year’); Catalyst Sports Medicine (City of Hudson; ‘Small Business of the Year’); and partner companies TurnKey Corrections and Three Square Market (City of River Falls; ‘Business of the Year’). S. Mark Tyler received the EDC Directors Award, an occasional award presented to an individual or organization in honor of contributions to economic development through innovative actions, making St. Croix County a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Scott Jones, the EDC’s 2019-2020 President, served as the evening’s emcee.

About the Winners:
Gallery 77 is owned by Pablo and Suzanne Sotelo. The company opened in Hudson 18-months ago, but brings over 17 years of experience creating stone and tile designs for all areas of the home, including the kitchen, bath, entry, fireplace and outdoor kitchen and BBQ areas. The operations include a showroom, warehouse, and adjacent production facility where material is cut to very exacting measurements, thanks to a significant investment in state-of-the-art equipment. Before launching the business, Pablo and Suzanne found an important regional resource – – the Small Business Development at UW-River Falls – – and utilized the SBDC’s No Cost Business Consulting to define goals and a vision. They also enrolled in the SBDC’s
10-week Entrepreneurial Training Program where a business plan was developed to strategically guide them forward.

Catalyst Sports Medicine was launched on January 1st of 2013 when then-General Manager John Knutson and Clinic Director J.W. Matheson purchased Larsen Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy from Rich Larsen. The clinic outgrew space at Willis Miller Drive, and on September 1, 2015, Knutson and Matheson opened in renovated and expanded space at Hanley and O’Keefe Roads in Hudson. Catalyst Sports specializes in physical therapy, athletic training, industrial medicine, orthopedic massage services, and performance training for athletes. Today, Catalyst employs 20 people including physical therapists, PTAs, athletic trainers, massage therapists, strength coaches and administrative and customer service personnel.

TurnKey Corrections and Three Square Market are partner companies, owned by brothers Tim and Todd Westby. TurnKey works with correctional facilities on kiosk vending needs and Three Square Market is a corporate solution to in-company breakrooms and convenience stores (snack and vending), and a new innovation – autonomous stores – in white spaces outside the traditional corporate breakroom. Both companies are growing at rapid rates and their respective footprints are global. Combined with its TurnKey jail technology business, Three Square Market has over 10,000 kiosks across U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Central America and Australia.

Mark Tyler and a business partner launched OEM Fabricators in Woodville as a heavy weldment and steel fabricator business. The company has grown to include multiple locations and a worldwide customer base. A recent retirement from OEM enables Tyler to devote time to his latest passion, workforce development and early childhood development. Tyler served on the board of the Wisconsin Technical College System, which led to a board seat with the UW Regents. He is also extensively involved with legislative advocacy at the state and national level, highlighting the important need for workforce and early childhood development. Tyler’s work resulted in governance roles with the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, and he has volunteered with many organizations such as Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, The Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, the Family Resource Center St Croix Valley, and the Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment. Tyler is a tireless advocate for St. Croix County and the St. Croix Valley.

Each of the winners received a plaque from the EDC as well as a Legislative Citation from the State Senate and Assembly in Madison, and congratulatory letters from Missy Hughes, Chief Executive Office, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC); U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin; St. Croix County; Village of Woodville; City of Hudson; and City of River Falls.

Past business of the year winners and recipients of the EDC Directors Award were introduced during the program.

An estimated 175 people attended the awards dinner and helped celebrate the accomplishments of the honorees.

The 26th annual awards banquet was sponsored by Royal Credit Union, Bakke Norman Law Offices, Xcel Energy, First National Community Bank, First State Bank and Trust, WESTconsin Credit Union, WBD, Market & Johnson, TCM, Bremer Bank, Derrick Building Solutions, St. Croix Electric, Nolato Contour¸ Catalyst Sports Medicine, Greystone Commercial, Hiawatha National Bank, RE/MAX Synergy Commercial, Hudson Hospital & Clinic, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Baldwin LightStream, Security Financial Bank, Wipfli CPAs and Consultants, JA Counter, Eckberg Lammers Law Firm, Citizens State Bank, Phillips-Medisize, and OEM Fabricators.

On January 29th, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced the preliminary December 2019 unemployment rates for Wisconsin’s 72 counties and the 33 cities with populations greater than 25,000 residents. St. Croix County’s December rate was estimated at 2.6%. For comparison, St. Croix’s final rate in November was 3.0% and October’s final rate was 2.6%. One year ago, the county’s unemployment rate was estimated at 3.0%.

DWD said preliminary unemployment rates from November to December declined or remained the same in nine of the 72 counties. The rates ranged from 2.1% in Dane to 6.7% in Bayfield.

Preliminary unemployment rates declined or stayed the same in 18 of Wisconsin’s 33 largest municipalities from November to December. Rates ranged from 2.0% in Madison to 4.5% in Racine.

The five counties with the lowest unemployment rates in December include Dane (2.1%), Ozaukee (2.5%), Washington (also at 2.5%), Calumet (2.6%), and La Crosse (also at 2.6%). Bayfield County had the highest rate in December at 6.7%, followed by Menominee (6.5%), Iron (6.4%), Burnett (5.8%), and Adams (also at 5.8%).

St. Croix, Pierce, Polk, and Dunn counties comprise Wisconsin’s Greater St. Croix Valley. In addition to St. Croix’s rate of 3.6%, December’s preliminary rate in Dunn was 3.5%, while Pierce was at 3.7% and Polk at 4.8%.

St. Croix and Pierce counties are included in the 15-county Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI metro area. The December 2019 unemployment rate for the Twin Cities was estimated at 3.0%, which is higher than the final rate of 2.7% in November and October’s final rate of 2.5%. The unemployment rate in the Twin Cities was 2.8% in December 2018.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate for Wisconsin in December was estimated at 3.4%, which is higher than the final rate of 3.3% for both November and October. One year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 3.0%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in Minnesota in December was estimated at 3.3%, which is the same as the final rate for November but higher than October’s final rate of 3.2 %. Minnesota’s seasonally-adjusted rate one year ago was 2.9%.

The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate in the U.S. for December was estimated at 3.5%, which is the same as November’s final rate but lower than October’s final rate of 3.6%. One year ago, the U.S. rate (seasonally adjusted) was estimated at 3.9%

Wisconsin’s preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for December was estimated at 67.0%, which is lower than the final rate of 67.1% for both November and October. One year ago, Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate was 67.5%. The preliminary (seasonally adjusted) labor force participation rate for the U.S. in December was estimated at 63.2%, which is the same as November’s final rate, but lower than October’s final rate of 63.3%. One year ago, the labor force participation rate in the U.S. was 63.0%.

December’s estimates are preliminary and are subject to revision within the next few weeks.