Main Street

Bounceback grants help small businesses recover, expand post-pandemic

MMAC assists with federal program designed to reenergize Wisconsin’s downtowns and commercial corridors

Over the past 24 months, MMAC’s real estate affiliate, the Milwaukee Development Corp. (MDC), played a central role in approving 3,844 Main Street Bounceback Grant applications across the Milwaukee 7 region. Ultimately $40,950,000 was allocated in direct grants to businesses.

The grants were awarded specifically to companies locating in vacant commercial spaces. Businesses can use the funds for lease or mortgage payments, operating expenses, building repairs, tenant improvements and other qualified expenses. Leases or purchases had to be dated between Jan 1, 2021 and Dec 31, 2022.

The Bounceback Grant provided businesses the opportunity to expand in a challenging period. Ozaukee County has seen a wide range of businesses take advantage of this program, including new medical clinics, downtown businesses and local manufacturers looking to expand.

Kathleen Cady Schilling, Executive Director Ozaukee Economic Development

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp (WEDC) contracted with MDC, which worked closely with Milwaukee Economic Development Corp (MEDC) in establishing application approval processes. MDC aided the process by screening applicants and answering their questions, while the MEDC processed the grant applications. Under the leadership of the MMAC, Marjorie Yoshida carefully managed the intake process and took on the important role of receiving and reviewing applications and qualifying documents, such as leases, occupancy permits and articles of incorporation.

Application statistics from program inception (August of 2021) through February 6, 2023:

3,844 applications approved

Demographics

•2446 Minority Owned

•2349 Women Owned

•252 LGBTQ Owned

•145 Veteran Owned

•111 Disabled Owned (Companies my have more than one designation)

Applications by county:

Waukesha: 501

Washington: 162

Walworth: 115

Racine: 386

Ozaukee: 167

Kenosha:99

Milwaukee: 2,414