Press Release: DOA Visit Highlights Over $3.6 Million State Investment for Marshfield Businesses

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary-designee

DOA Visit Highlights Over $3.6 Million State Investment for Marshfield Businesses

DOA Secretary-designee Blumenfeld and Marshfield City Administrator Barg Tour Main Street Businesses Supported by Grant Funds

Marshfield, Wis. – Today, Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld toured Main Street businesses with Marshfield City Administrator Steve Barg, and representatives from the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Marshfield, as part of a visit to highlight state investments. Governor Tony Evers made a $3.6 million investment in Marshfield small businesses as part of pandemic relief efforts, with Wood County receiving nearly $50 million for overall pandemic recovery.

Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld, City Administrator Steve Barg, and local stakeholders met with business owners from Discovery Education Station, a STEM education center started by Air Force veteran and National Guardswoman Linda Roehrborn, and a local flower shop, Illusions Floral and Gifts. Both businesses received a $10,000 Main Street Bounceback grant.

(L-R: Marshfield City Administrator Steve Barg, Main Street Marshfield executive director Kaelie Gomez, Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce business development director Karen Olson, DOA Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld, Discovery Education Station owner Linda Roehrborn, Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce president Scott Larson, Discovery Education Station staff.)   

“Wisconsin’s Main Streets are the lifeblood of our communities, and direct investments from Governor Evers have been nothing short of transformational for small business owners and downtowns across the state, including right here in Marshfield.” said DOA Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld. “Seeing the impact made by our veteran service members starting new businesses, and established businesses being able to continue to thrive in a new location is what this program is all about.”

“On behalf of the Common Council, City staff, and everyone associated with the City of Marshfield, I would like to sincerely thank the State of Wisconsin for awarding Main Street Bounceback grants to Discovery Education Station and Illusions Florist!” said Mayor Lois TeStrake. “We are very proud of these two outstanding businesses, and we are so excited to share in this special day, as they are honored and recognized for their contributions to our vibrant downtown." 

(L-R: Main Street Marshfield executive director Kaelie Gomez, DOA Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld, Illusions Floral and Gifts  owner Angela Young, Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce president Scott Larson) 

Governor Evers made more than $1 billion in investments statewide in support of small businesses. The Main Street Bounceback grant program was announced 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. The Governor recently announced the state will provide an additional $25 million investment into the program, for a total investment of $100 million to help over 6,500 entrepreneurs across the state 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.