b'BuSInESS OuTrEachBusiness OutreachIn 2020, the WCIDCs Business Outreach Program met with 43 dierent companies to better understand theirchallenges and to make them aware of existing programsand new initiatives that could help grow their businesses.We also had 30 expanded calls with businesses and established 63 new company connections. We referredclients to the countys aliate service providers 28 times,and 2 out of every 3 referrals we made resulted in a service being provided.challenges for companiesEvery year, we ask the businesses we visit to identify theirbiggest challenges. For the fifth consecutive year, workforce40% - Workforce 27% - cOVID-19 concerns top that list. The pandemic created even more of achallenge for companies as some workers who were laid o didnot want to return to work due to COVID-related health concerns, and some workersbecause federal unemployment20% -benefits exceeded their previous wageslacked motivation to11% -Financial assistance return to the workforce.SiteThe second most-cited challenge was COVID-19, itself. Morerequirements than 27 percent of respondents have required pandemic-related assistance, and the WCIDC is proud to have supported the1% -countys leadership team in helping connect local businessesutility1% -with various programs oering disaster and financial assistance.concerns TransportationcollaborationThe WCIDC Business Outreach Program is a member of Our eorts complement Engage! which is an industry-Partnerships for regional Economic Performance(PREP),driven state initiative that features professionals who a state network of business-assistance partners that help connect with and assist businesses across the state. Thecompanies start, grow and prosper. The PREP networkEngage! program prioritizes meaningful dialogues withoers one-on-one counseling, workshops, online training businesses to deliver planning, technical and next-step and financial incentives to support our job creators. resources.10'