Wisconsin State Journal:
State and local grants designed to fill storefronts that closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to Stoughton’s art retail boom.
Since the summer of 2021, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. has doled out $10,000 grants to 26 new Stoughton businesses , several of them art galleries or businesses with some kind of art element. Grand Inspired received a $65,000 grant from the city of Stoughton to aid in the restoration of its building, Grassman said.
“When I was growing up, Stoughton had one art gallery,” said WEDC Deputy Secretary Sam Rikkers, who was raised in the city. “Now you have just a ton. It’s transforming downtown Stoughton.”
[Adapted from: Downtown Stoughton has become a haven for artists February 23, 2023 InBusiness]