GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Nearly 500 people gathered at Lambeau Field Thursday to discuss Wisconsin’s playbook on the path to economic recovery.
It was part of the annual New North Summit.
For some state leaders, the path to economic recovery begins with local communities.
“Sometimes in life, you just need to hold hands a little tighter. We did that this last year,” New North President and CEO Barb LaMue said.
Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Missy Hughes says she’s optimistic about Wisconsin and its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
“The energy that we’re seeing in Wisconsin and the energy that we’re seeing in the nation as far as moving forward is really incredible. It just gives me such encouragement about what the future holds and what we can do to continue to gain momentum and to work forward.”
Hughes acknowledged the impact the pandemic had on small businesses.
“They were the first impacted by this and indeed continue to be the last recovering.”
Hughes says the WEDC has helped deploy over $650 million to over 150,000 grants to small businesses in the past year.
Gov. Tony Evers says this year showed that Wisconsin perseveres.
“Wisconsin continues to be a national leader in getting available shots in arms. But in this case, we need to run up the score.”
He says getting vaccinated is the most impactful thing Wisconsinites can do to aid in the state’s recovery.
“As shots get in arms and across the state, we begin our recovery from COVID-19. while we are doing this, it’s time for Wisconsin to get better and better and better.”
Gov. Tony Evers also took time at the summit to acknowledge parts of his budget proposal.
The next fiscal year starts on July 1st.
