Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home order gives the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. the ability to designate companies as essential outside of what’s covered in the order. But WEDC hasn’t exercised that power, and has only been providing guidance to companies “to help them navigate whether or not they fit into one of the other categories in the order.”

The order notes that businesses not listed in the order will only be designated as essential for an “exceptional circumstance.” WEDC chief Missy Hughes has said exemptions to the order will be rare.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, 3,538 businesses had made inquiries, and 2,280 of those had been answered.

See more details on essential businesses: http://wedc.org/essentialbusiness/