Filter: Downtown Development

More than 4,200 new and expanded businesses and nonprofits have qualified for more than $42 million in Main Street Bounceback Grants by filling in vacant commercial spaces in all 72 Wisconsin counties.

CDI Grants provide up to $250,000, or 25% of eligible project costs, for construction, renovation and other physical improvements for projects that incorporate a commercial element.

Communities may experience many environmental, social and economic benefits from brownfield redevelopment by removing health hazards, removing blight through renovating abandoned buildings and removal of derelict structures, and preserving historical landmarks.

The COVID-19 pandemic foisted many dizzying changes on locally owned businesses, including temporary and permanent closures, changing entrepreneur demographics, labor market shifts and a switch to online sales. One benefit of coordinating a long-standing program such as Wisconsin Main Street (celebrating its 35th year in 2022) is the ability to explore trends over time.

Elementary students in the Howard-Suamico School District showed off their computer science projects to Governor Evers during a December event where a $150,000 grant was announced for a computer science pilot project being tested in Brown County schools.

Many communities are now leveraging these grants to advance downtown redevelopment plans and build communities that are stronger, more resilient and better positioned to attract and keep workers and businesses.

The COVID-19 pandemic foisted many dizzying changes on locally owned businesses, including temporary and permanent closures, changing entrepreneur demographics, labor market shifts and a switch to online sales. One benefit of coordinating a long-standing program such as Wisconsin Main Street (celebrating its 35th year in 2022) is the ability to explore trends over time.

Wisconsin winters can seem long, dark and cold. The temptation is strong to hunker down and wait it out. But just because the days are short and frigid, there’s no reason your customers need to be prisoners in their own homes. You can ward off cabin fever by uncovering the fun side of winter right in your own downtown.

Just like any vehicle, all buildings—whether they are residential or commercial, new or existing—require regular maintenance.

Community organizations are adept at being creative when it comes to doing more with less. By leveraging their extensive network of partners, Main Street and Connect Communities organizations can attract in-kind support to cover many expenses while programs and events generate revenue and attract sponsor dollars to help achieve the mission.

A group of southern Wisconsin farmers and food producers have opened the Community Kitchen Co-op, which uses a community-supported agriculture (CSA) model to provide fully prepared locally sourced meals, bakery, dairy, eggs and more to subscribers.

Main Street Bounceback helps entrepreneurs open businesses in vacant commercial properties