Grants available for expanding into vacant downtown space
State officials have launched an effort to encourage local businesses to move into vacant commercial locations in downtown areas.
Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes traveled to Milwaukee Wednesday morning to encourage businesses to apply for a new state grant.
The Wisconsin Tomorrow - Main Street Bounceback Grant Program is a $50 million program that offers $10,000 grants to businesses moving into vacant space. The program, which Gov. Tony Evers announced in April, is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
“The intention is to really help jumpstart getting our main streets filled back up,” said Hughes during a visit to Milwaukee on Wednesday.
“If you have one store that has incredibly survived the last 18 months, they need neighbors. They want people to stroll down the street and have a couple different places to stop in.”
Hughes and the WEDC staff are traveling to businesses this week in Milwaukee, Medford, Racine, Madison, Manitowoc, La Crosse and Janesville.
On Wednesday, Hughes visited Central Standard Craft Distillery Crafthouse & Kitchen, which will open Saturday at a previously vacant building at 320 E. Clybourn St. The WEDC staff then walked across the street to Tupelo Honey, a southern-inspired cafe that opened this week at 511 N. Broadway.
“It’s an opportunity to show what can happen when people do think about investing in spaces that have not been utilized,” said Milwaukee Commissioner of City Development Lafayette Crump.
To be eligible for the grants, businesses must be moving into a vacant commercial property or have moved into a vacant commercial property since Jan. 1 of this year, without closing another Wisconsin location to do so.
Applicants can get more information through the WEDC’s website.