'Bounceback' grants help small businesses — like flower shops and martini bars — around the state fill previously empty storefronts

In the small northwestern Wisconsin city of Washburn, a bright red and yellow building was a familiar part of the main street.

For years, it was the local Dairy Queen, and then it became a Chinese restaurant. And then it sat empty for several years until October 2020, when David Sneed took a risk — in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic — and opened a fancy martini bar.

Sneed's efforts recently received a modest boost from a Wisconsin Tomorrow Main Street Bounceback grant.

The $50 million program offers $10,000 grants to new or existing businesses moving into vacant space. Announced in April, the program receives funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Since launching, more than 1,000 businesses have tapped into the program, according to Missy Hughes, the chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Flower shops, restaurants and child care centers have been among those receiving funding.

“I’ll probably end up using the money to work on the exterior in the spring,” said Sneed. “I want to have a nice fenced patio in the front for a beer garden and have a fence around the roof.”

Washburn, located just south of Bayfield on Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay, has numerous businesses taking part in the grant program.

“There were some great businesses already here, but there were a lot of empty buildings and empty storefronts,” said Melissa Martinez, the executive director of the Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce.

Businesses in Milwaukee receive funding

In Milwaukee, a couple dozen business in the downtown or near-downtown area have received the grants, according to Matt Dorner, Economic Development Director for Milwaukee Downtown.

WEDC leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses and their communities. The agency works with local partners like regional planning commissions or economic organizations to distribute the grants.

“For the businesses that survived, they need neighbors. They need businesses next to them filled up,” Hughes said. “It’s not only to help the small businesses that want to start up, but it's also to help those businesses that survived.”

In ongoing efforts to promote the program, Gov. Tony Evers and Hughes recently visited Washburn to see the impact of the grants. Along with 211 Martini, they also visited new businesses Kiddiwink Kids and AdventureUs.

The Washburn Chamber of Commerce has helped businesses secure nine Bounceback grants in the city, and two more outside of Washburn. In total, there have been 20 new businesses in the Washburn area since January 2020.

More:Gov. Evers quietly visits two small businesses in Oconto to hear how they'll use state money

“A program like this is certainly a help to jump start, recharge, and encourage small business activity,” Dorner said. “It’s been really encouraging to see the amount of small business activity. It’s almost on a daily basis that businesses are interested in learning more about the program.”

The state celebrates Shop Small Wisconsin Day Saturday, and state officials are fanning out to encourage visits to small, local stores.

"I think our businesses are going to see a lot of activity from consumers," said Dorner when talking about expectations for the holiday season.

"Bars and restaurants will hopefully start to see people feel comfortable getting out and gathering with friends and family in a safe way."

Applicants interested in the grants can get more information through WEDC's website,wedc.org/.