Madison, WI– Main Street Alliance and Live Event Venues across Wisconsin are celebrating the announcement this AM by the office of Gov. Tony Evers of 204 event venues across Wisconsin receiving $27 million in grant support. The COVID-19 pandemic has badly hurt many industries across our state but none more than businesses who’s entire business model depended on in-person gatherings.

 

They weren’t restaurants so they didn’t receive the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. They mostly don’t have large staff, especially in the case of wedding event venues or other similar businesses, so PPP wasn’t terribly helpful. And they weren’t ticketed so they didn’t qualify for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. They were falling through the cracks. 

 

We were thrilled when we were able to work with the Office of Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Administration to encourage them to design a grant program for these businesses and they delivered. Many businesses will be saved by this grant, especially as we fight Omicron, helping to save jobs and livelihoods on Main Streets across our state. That’s leadership. We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and his administration in the new year to ensure access to capital for small business both now and into the future.

 

Together, we will make Wisconsin the best state in the country to start and run a small business. That is our goal and we look forward to working with champions of Main Street, like the Governor, to make it happen. 

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