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Welcome to the latest Badger Bounceback weekly update!
We are excited to share updated information on grant and aid programs announced by Governor Tony Evers, most funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). These critical investments provide a lifeline to Wisconsin communities and businesses to ensure a strong pandemic recovery.
Read on to view the latest grant program announcements, application information and more. Check out direct program links to get additional details on specific programs.
Grant Programs Now Accepting Applications:
The $37.5 million Diverse Business Assistance Grant Program will provide support to ethnic and diverse chambers of commerce and other collaboratives that provide technical assistance and services to businesses that have historically been denied access to capital and are owned by members of communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The application period opened November 29, 2021 and will close January 14, 2022. An informational webinar is scheduled for Friday, Dec 10 at 12:30pm. For more information and to submit questions, visit the program website: https://doa.wi.gov/pages/DiverseBusinessAssistance.aspx
The Diverse Business Investment Grant Program will provide an additional $37.5 million to community development financial institutions (CDFIs), for grants to small and micro-businesses that are owned by members of communities that were historically denied access to capital and those that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The application period opened November 29, 2021 and will close January 14, 2022. An informational webinar is scheduled for Friday, Dec 10 at 1:15 pm. For more information and to submit questions, visit the program website: https://doa.wi.gov/pages/DiverseBusinessInvestment.aspx
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is now accepting grant applications for the FY22 Broadband Expansion Grant Program. This latest program is funded through the state budget. The application period opened December 1, and will close March 17, 2022. An informational webinar will be held on Dec. 8 at 2pm.
Altogether, under Governor Evers’ leadership, state broadband expansion grants and federal funds for broadband projects have provided or are going to offer access to new or improved broadband services to more than 300,000 homes and businesses. A map of recent grant recipients is available here: https://psc.wi.gov/Documents/broadband/BbExpG51.pdf
More information is available on the program website: https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/BroadbandGrants.aspx
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Main Street Bounce Back Grants - Application Period Ongoing
The Main Street Bounceback Grants program provides $10,000 to new or existing businesses and non-profit organizations moving into vacant properties in Wisconsin’s downtowns and commercial corridors. The program is open to new or existing businesses opening a new location or expanding operations in a vacant commercial space as of January 1, 2021. Grant funds are available as part of the American Recovery Plan Act and will be distributed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) regional partners. Businesses must apply through the partner organization for the region in which they are located. Applications are open through June 30, 2022.
Additional information about the Main Street Bounce Back Grants is available here: https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/mainstreet-bounceback-grants/
Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program - Help Is Still Available
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The Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERA) provides up to 18 months of assistance with current or overdue bills to help households that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic avoid eviction. More than 25,000 Wisconsinites have already received help with rent and utilities statewide. Help is still available for eligible households through WISCAP agencies and Energy Services. The program is funded by the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
Additional information about the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available here: https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/WERA.aspx
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Recent Announcements
Governor Evers and the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) recently announced 11 regional recipients of the Workforce Advancement Initiative grants. The $20 million initiative is part of the $100 million Workforce Innovation Grant program, designed to support regional economic development and tackle communities’ most pressing workforce challenges.
DWD will administer the program through the local workforce development boards in partnership with community-based organizations to provide subsidized employment and skills training opportunities to participants, including a focus on those co-enrolled in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs.
Additional information is available on the Workforce Advancement Initiative website: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/workforce-solutions/wai/
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The $15 million Destination Marketing Organization Grant Program will support local DMO organizations across the state to attract regional, national, and international visitors.
In total, 120 organizations received grants ranging from $2,000 to $1 million based on expenses incurred by eligible tourism-promotion and tourism development organizations. The program is funded by the ARPA and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) with guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
Additional information and full list of recipients is available on the Destination Marketing Organization Grant Program website: https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/DestinationMarketingOrganizationsGrantProgram.aspx
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Governor Evers recently announced a $2 million investment to support mental health and behavioral services for underserved communities, including Hmong and Southeast Asian Wisconsinites through the Project Resiliency initiative of the Wisconsin United Coalition of Mutual Assistance Association, Inc. (WUCMAA). The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will contract with WUCMAA to provide culturally sensitive services.
Additional information coming soon.
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Governor Evers recently announced a $45 million investment in safer communities and violence prevention efforts, to bolster statewide research initiatives and community-based violence prevention solutions.
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$25 million will go to violence prevention efforts, including:
- $6.6 million for the Medical College of Wisconsin's Violence Prevention Project, to support research, data collection, education, and community engagement efforts around violence prevention as a public health issue;
- $10.4 million for the MCW to administer a competitive grant process to support violence prevention efforts statewide;
- $8 million for the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention to respond to pandemic-related trauma uptick;
- Nearly $20 million will support victim services through a grant program to be administered by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Additional information coming soon.
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- New Badger Bounceback website coming soon!
- Event Venue Grant Award Recipients
- Live Event Small Business Grant Award Recipients
- Minor League Sports Teams Grant Award Recipients
- Movie Theater Grant Award Recipients
- Summer Camp Assistance Grant Award Recipients
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Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (plan has been submitted and awaiting U.S. Treasury approval before funds become available. Visit homeownerhelp.wi.gov for more information.)
We look forward to sharing additional updates on upcoming grant rollouts and announcements, to help Wisconsinites bounce back.
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