MADISON – Today, Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) unveiled the We’re All In initiative, WEDC’s rapid Execution Small Business Grant Program that utilizes funding from the federal CARES Act to assist small businesses in Wisconsin. This is a comprehensive effort to kick start our economic recovery. The We’re All In initiative will provide $75 million in assistance for small businesses.
As small businesses across Wisconsin continue to keep their employees and customers safe, WEDC will provide Wisconsin small businesses with cash grants to assist with the costs of business interruption or for health and safety improvements, wages and salaries, rent, mortgages, and inventory. Rep. Stubbs (D-Madison) applauded the Governor’s efforts to help small businesses during these challenging times:
“Wisconsin’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and their owners and employees help keep our communities strong. COVID-19 has upended business operations across Wisconsin. In order to get through this public health crisis, we need to ensure that businesses have the resources needed to survive this unprecedented event. The CARES Act provided $1.9 billion in federal funds to help Wisconsin weather the storm of COVID-19. I am pleased Governor Evers has chosen to prioritize help for our small businesses using this federal funding.”
Grant recipients will become We’re All In businesses by committing to safety protocols and using them in their shops, cafes, and places of work to protect their customers, employees, and communities. This network of Main Street businesses will form the backbone of the We’re All In initiative, along with support from major Wisconsin businesses, communities, and other associations.
Rep. Stubbs further stated, “These grants will help with health and safety improvements, wages, rent, mortgage payments and inventory. Our small businesses are hurting, and at the same time, we know that people need to feel safe and confident as employees and consumers during this on-going pandemic. These grants are an important step on our path to helping our neighbors whose small businesses are the pride of our communities.”
