Missy Hughes, Secretary and CEO, WEDC
As we look ahead to the new year, we’re also looking back on the completion of one of Wisconsin’s most successful small business development initiatives—the Main Street Bounceback Grant Program.
When Governor Evers created the program in spring 2021, the idea was to help communities build thriving downtowns by providing grants of $10,000 each to businesses and nonprofits that moved into empty storefronts.
The governor initially provided $50 million in federal recovery funds, or enough to assist 5,000 businesses. As demand for the grants surged, he increased funding to cover another 2,500 businesses, then 2,500 more—bringing total funding to $100 million for 10,000 grants.
As the calendar turned to 2023, WEDC staff and regional partners had assisted more than 9,000 businesses in all 72 Wisconsin counties.
Gaining so many new small businesses in less than two years is impressive enough. But what makes these grants unique is the impact they’re having on communities and on the business owners—and the lessons we’ve learned making these investments.
From Washburn on Lake Superior to Prairie du Chien along the Mississippi River and all points in between, local leaders tell us these grants are bringing excitement to downtowns by filling in the gaps between stores, encouraging people to linger, shop, dine, and spend money in their own communities.
For the business owners, the grants have often provided that last little boost that allows them to realize a long-held dream. One of my favorite examples came last fall, when Governor Evers and I were visiting some of the first Bounceback Grant businesses to open in Fond du Lac.
Monica Lara spotted us walking along Main Street and burst out of her store, with her Bounceback Grant check in hand, so she could personally thank the governor and take a picture with him. Just this month, I stopped back at her store, Argentum et Aurum, and found that not only was her custom jewelry business booming, but she’s planning to expand.
We’ve heard many stories like Monica’s, and we’ve seen what businesses like hers mean to a community.
One unexpected result of the grant program has been that more than half of the grants have gone to women-owned businesses—and over one-third of the grants have gone to businesses in rural communities. From these results, we’ve learned that when resources are available, underrepresented entrepreneurs in every part of our state are ready to jump in and succeed.
Another key lesson from the program is how important it is to invest in all our communities. A recent survey found Wisconsin ranked first in the nation in the share of federal recovery funds allocated to business and second in the share dedicated to economic development. Many of these funds went directly to small businesses, often in relatively small amounts.
What we discovered from the success of the Bounceback Grants is that you don’t have to spend big to show big results. That’s because, as one store owner told me, “Small businesses know how to stretch a dollar.”
Our state will reap the benefits of the Main Street Bounceback Grants for years to come as these businesses celebrate each new year and our communities continue to flourish. And at WEDC, we’ll keep the spirit of the program alive by continuing to invest in our small businesses, supporting our communities, and making sure all Wisconsinites have the chance to fulfill their dreams.
