The Sconi

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is relishing the state’s distinction when it comes to the way it looked out for small businesses during the COVID-19 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 wrote in a tweet Nov. 16. “That's work we're darn proud of.”

A new Center on Budget Relief and Policy Priorities study details how businesses and workers in Wisconsin received a higher share of federal pandemic relief funding than other states, with the state steering more than half of the $1.1 billion it received from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan Act toward economic development initiatives, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

State officials designated at least $642 million for grants for businesses and $130 million for workforce development, according to the report. The state allocated $550 million for state operations, $122 million for public health and mental health initiatives, $56 million for social services that included housing and economic assistance and $45 million went toward public safety.

During the pandemic, Evers’ administration officials insist they went above and beyond the call of duty to support businesses.

"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 Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Missy Hughes.

As of Aug. 31, the state has allocated approximately $2 billion of the $2.5 billion it received in ARPA funds, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The remainder must be allocated by the end of 2024.