Press Release: DOA Visit Highlights $4.7 Million State Investment for Beaver Dam Businesses

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary-designee

DOA Visit Highlights $4.7 Million State Investment for Beaver Dam Businesses

Secretary-designee Blumenfeld and Mayor Glewen Tour Main Street Businesses Supported by Grant Funds

Beaver Dam, Wis. – Today, Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld toured downtown businesses with Mayor Becky Glewen, Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from Downtown Beaver Dam, Inc., as part of a visit to highlight state investments. Governor Tony Evers made a combined $4.7 million investment in small businesses in the City of Beaver Dam as part of overall pandemic relief efforts, and Dodge County received an overall $54 million investment, including nearly $1.5 million for equitable recovery efforts.

“We appreciate DOA Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld taking the time to meet with our Beaver Dam business community today,” said Mayor Glewen, “We’re grateful for the investments made by Governor Evers that have helped spur business start-ups in Beaver Dam and the State of Wisconsin. Developing local entrepreneurs is not only positive for new and existing business owners but also for the community as it builds tax base, local innovation, and community identity. Beaver Dam a better place to live due to the vision and commitment of our local entrepreneurs.”

The Secretary-designee, Mayor Glewen, and Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tracy Propst met with business owners, and toured the Nancy Zieman’s Sewing Studio, Nest Vitality, and Dam Chicken, each of which received $10,000 Main Street Bounceback Grants.

“Pandemic relief investments from Governor Evers have been essential in helping small businesses continue to thrive,” said DOA Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld. “We have seen this across the state, and we have seen it exemplified today in Beaver Dam’s continued downtown recovery.” 

Governor Tony Evers announced the Main Street Bounceback grant program in the spring of 2021 with the first grants made in August 2021, to help small businesses and communities grow by populating vacant storefronts with new businesses and nonprofits. In September 2022, Governor Evers announced state will provide an additional $25 million investment into the program, for a total investment of $100 million to help entrepreneurs open new businesses or expand their existing operations. Overall investments supporting small businesses across the state total over $1 billion.  

“The Main Street Bounceback grants have really helped the entrepreneurs in our community either take the leap into business or took a little pressure off during a tough time to expand,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tracy Propst. “Since the grants have been announced, we have nineteen potentially vacant properties that are currently in use or will be in the near future by local businesses. That’s a giant step forward for Beaver Dam.”

Visit BadgerBounceback.wi.gov to view pandemic-related assistance information as well as the latest data and success stories about how COVID-relief investments are making a difference across the state. For updates on other recovery-related grant opportunities, sign up for the Badger Bounceback update list.