Press Release: DOA Visit Highlights $7.5 Million State Investment for Racine Small Businesses

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary-designee

DOA Visit Highlights $7.5 Million State Investment for Racine Small Businesses

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

Racine, Wis. – Today, Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld toured Main Street businesses with Mayor Cory Mason as part of a visit to highlight state investments. Governor Tony Evers made a combined $7.5 million investment in the Racine business community, with Racine County receiving $216 million overall investment, including nearly $14 million for small business support.

The Secretary-designee, Mayor Mason, and local stakeholders met with business owners from Junoesque by Bree, Goddess Nails, and Social on Sixth, all of which received $10,000 Main Street Bounceback grants.

“Racine’s Main Street is the heart of our community, and people look to it as a reflection of the health of the broader community. That’s why I was so excited when Governor Evers announced the Main Street Bounceback Grants in August of last year. And I’m even more excited now as we are witnessing the positive impact on just three of the businesses that received $10,000.00 Bounceback Grants,” said Mayor Cory Mason. “I am grateful to Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for their continued investment in the City of Racine, Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld for joining us for this tour of grant businesses, and extremely proud of our downtown business owners and their dedication and hard work.”

“Racine is a shining example of the resilience and initiative of the people of Wisconsin,” added DOA Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld. “The Evers Administration pledged to support small businesses and Main Streets. The achievements of the incredible women entrepreneurs I met today are a demonstration of the impact of those investments.”

Overall investments supporting small businesses have totaled over $1 billion statewide. Governor Tony Evers announced the Main Street Bounceback grant program in the spring of 2021 with the first grants made in August 2021, using $75 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, to help small businesses and communities grow by populating vacant storefronts with new businesses and nonprofits. Earlier this week, 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.

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.