News Summary
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has announced a new $100,000 allocation in grants intended to support local small businesses through the Building Bridges program. Each of the 10 selected businesses will receive $10,000 to assist with renovations and enhancements. The funding aims to boost economic health in the community, transitioning vacant storefronts into productive business spaces. This initiative represents a commitment to local economic development and highlights the significance of small enterprises in Milwaukee’s diverse neighborhoods.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has announced a new allocation of $100,000 in grants aimed at supporting local small businesses. This funding comes via the county’s Building Bridges program, which awards $10,000 grants to brick-and-mortar businesses. The latest release marks the second and final round of funding for this initiative, with requests for additional state funding still being pursued.
In total, 10 small businesses in this round received $10,000 each. Recipients are located across various neighborhoods, including West Allis, Milwaukee, South Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, and Oak Creek. This initiative focuses on enhancing community economic health and provides essential financial support to local enterprises.
The Building Bridges program was originally established with a $200,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). To bolster local economic development further, the County Board also approved to transfer $600,000 from an existing economic development fund. This fund aims to activate commercial corridors and enhance marketing, branding, and website development for local businesses.
Accompanying the funding, a new small business liaison will be hired to promote better communication between the county, municipalities, and entrepreneurs, thereby facilitating the local business landscape. The initiative is designed to activate vacant storefronts, create jobs, and uplift small businesses throughout the community.
Historically, Milwaukee County has not relied on grants or incentives to stimulate economic development, especially when compared to other municipalities. The focus of the presently awarded grants has largely been on restaurants and hospitality businesses. For instance, Tootsie’s Tea, specializing in small-batch, loose-leaf tea blends, plans to use its funding to renovate a retail space located at 2406 W. Clybourn Ave.
Another recipient, IV Generations Holdings, owned by Jerhonda McCrary and her sons, intends to convert a small warehouse in the Old North Milwaukee neighborhood into an event venue. Additionally, Ni Burmese, a new restaurant at 2140 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., will put its grant toward restaurant and kitchen maintenance and necessary updates since its opening earlier this year.
Moreover, Kennedy’s Circle of Wellness will utilize funding to open a new location at 909 W. Burleigh St. Offering wellness services, yoga classes, and psychotherapy, this business has also secured a $178,000 contract to provide trauma-informed group sessions for incarcerated individuals at a county-operated facility.
In acknowledging the grant recipients, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson emphasized the importance of highlighting the creativity and determination that fuels the local economy. The grants are anticipated to aid in vital renovations and expansions across various sectors by tapping into the community’s diverse needs.
Projects funded through this program include a holistic wellness café, a tea café that offers alcohol-free cocktails, as well as beauty salons, reflecting the program’s intent to cater to diverse community requirements. This funding, combined with the new initiatives, seeks to reinvigorate the local economy and support the backbone of Milwaukee’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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USDA Announces $18 Million for Farm to School Grants
Milwaukee County Launches Building Bridges Grants for Small Businesses
Additional Resources
- Milwaukee Courier
- Urban Milwaukee
- Hoodline
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Fox 6 Now
- Wikipedia: Small Business
- Google Search: Milwaukee small business grants
- Google Scholar: Milwaukee County economic development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Economic Development
- Google News: Milwaukee County small business
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
