Gov. Tony Evers checks in on Sturgeon Bay businesses that have received financial help from state
STURGEON BAY - Small business around the state, including in Door County, continue to receive help from the state as they try to get back on their feet in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes made stops in Sturgeon Bay on Wednesday to check on the progress.
“With every business we’ve visited since starting our Main Street Bounceback Grant Program, we've seen just how impactful these grants have been for small businesses and communities across our state,” Evers said in a statement. “Our investments have already helped more than 6,000 businesses and nonprofits across Wisconsin, and I was glad to announce we're continuing to invest in this program to help even more small business owners turn their dreams into a brick-and-mortar reality and to bring new life and excitement to Wisconsin’s Main Streets and downtowns.”
The pair visited several businesses at The Marketplace, including Bliss, a home goods store; Lola May’s, a women’s boutique; SmithMaker Artisan Co., a craft and attire store; and Monticello on Jefferson, a store specializing in women’s clothing, jewelry and handbags. Following this, the governor and secretary walked to Dancing Bear Toys and Little Luxuries, and then Avenue Art and Co. On Third and SOMI Gallery.
Of these businesses, Monticello on Jefferson and SOMI Gallery received $10,000 Main Street Bounceback grants, but all the businesses the governor and secretary visited received small business recovery grant funds through various other programs funded by pandemic relief funds.
Diane Magolan, the owner of Monticello on Jefferson, said the money was immensely useful in paying her staff, which number between eight and 12 people, and not laying anyone off.
"All the money was gone the minute we got it," she said.
The store additionally received $2,500 from the first phase of We’re All In Grant Program and $5,000 from Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grants.
"I think one of the things that was really important to me was not feeling so alone and realizing that our state, the government, that people were realizing that this was a really hard time," Magolan said. "We really needed to be acknowledged and to have help. So for me it was just a little sign of hope in a really, really dark period."
Other Sturgeon Bay businesses also received grants:
Bliss: We’re All In - Phase 1: $2,500; We’re All In - Phase 2: $5,000; Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grants: $5,000
Lola Mays: We’re All In - Phase 2: $5,000; Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grants: $5,000
SmithMaker Artisan Co.: Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grants: $5,000
Avenue Art & Co.: We’re All In - Phase 2: $5,000, Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grants: $5,000
The first phase of the We’re All In Grant Program, which was announced in May 2020, distributed $65 million to more than 26,000 businesses around the state with each business receiving a $2,500 grant.
During the second phase, the program provided $130 million to more than 26,000 businesses each receiving $5,000 awards. This phase was targeted toward industries hit hardest by the pandemic, as well as diverse businesses and businesses that had not received Phase 1 grants.
The Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grants program provided grants of $5,000 to small businesses that have an annual gross revenue between $10,000 and $7 million. Overall, up to $420 million was provided to small businesses.
Then, in the Main Street Bounceback Grant Program, $10,000 grants were provided to help small businesses and nonprofits move or expand into vacant commercial spaces. To date, more than 6,200 small businesses and nonprofits across all 72 Wisconsin counties have been approved for $10,000 grants.
Magolan said the money helped tide her business over during the pandemic as they experience their worst year followed by their best year ever as people resumed buying new clothes.
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In addition to these programs, in 2020, the city of Sturgeon Bay received a $250,000 Community Development Investment Grant from WEDC to redevelop the former Younkers building into The Marketplace that exists there today.
"The Marketplace, I think, is an unbelievable thing that came out of a very dark period as well," she said. "A big department store in the middle of our downtown that was empty for how many years? And to be able to honor that and what Todd (Trimberger) and Kelton (Reitz) did to that building. …
"I think it’s just a jewel what happened to downtown Sturgeon Bay with the Yonkers building, or the Prange's building."
Evers is currently campaigning for a second four-year term in office. The Democrat will face Republican Tim Michels in the Nov. 8 election.
Contact Kevin Dittman at 920-431-8416 or kdittman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Tony Evers checks on Sturgeon Bay businesses that have received grants
