Grants, Loans & Resources
Check out the Programs below to find those that will help your downtown and the small businesses there.
AARP
Have a small-scale project that will improve your downtown and make it a better place for everyone to live, work and play? The AARP Small Dollar, Big Impact Grant provides $1,000 grants to fund projects that utilize ideas and concepts from the AARP Livable Communities Resource library. The deadline for the next cycle of funding is September 17, 2024. For more
information: https://states.aarp.org/
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
WEDC has brought back their wildly popular Vibrant Spaces Grant. The goal of this grant program is to create public gathering places in Wisconsin Downtowns to foster community connections and create accessible locations for programming and amenities desired by residents, with the additional benefit of boosting foot traffic for nearby businesses. For more information, including registration for an upcoming informational webinar, visit: https://wedc.org/programs/
WEDC has also established an exciting new Small Business Development Grant program. This program is designed to assist communities and their economic development partners to expand or create new and innovative locally-managed programs that will directly support small businesses. These programs should provide greater access to capital and other resources to
small businesses throughout the state. This is a competitive program with grant awards ranging from $50,000-$250,000. For more information on the program visit: https://wedc.org/
WEDC continues to offer several longstanding programs aimed at Downtowns including the Idle Sites Redevelopment Program, Community Development Investment Grant, Historic Tax Credit Program, and their Brownfields programs. For more information on these, visit https://wedc.org/
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
Launched in 2023, WHEDA’s Restore Main Street competitive loan program was created to rehab upper-level housing located over commercial spaces, which can be found in many Wisconsin downtown areas. The units must provide affordable rents, which must remain affordable for at least 10 years following occupancy. For more details on eligibility and requirements visit here: https://www.wheda.com/about-
Another new WHEDA program is Vacancy to Vitality, which was established to convert vacant and underutilized commercial spaces into housing. This is a competitive loan requiring the creation of at least 16 dwelling units, which also must remain affordable for at least 10 years. For more information visit here: https://www.wheda.com/about-
WHEDA has also introduced the Infrastructure Access Loan, which can cover the cost of replacing, upgrading, or installing new infrastructure to assist with the development of workforce or senior housing. It carries the same 10-year affordability requirement as the other new programs. For more information: https://www.wheda.com/about-
priorities/bipartisan-housing-
If you have questions about these new WHEDA programs, please email [email protected]
Wisconsin Small Business Development Center
The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center has an impressive collection of classes aimed at helping start-ups and small businesses. Topics include business startup tutorials, financial management, marketing, and a host of other relevant topics to assist your downtown businesses. All of these videos can be found at Online Learning – Small Business Development
Center (wisconsinsbdc.org)
