MIDDLETON – Today, Representative Alex Joers (D-Waunakee) introduced legislation to reestablish the Main Street Bounceback program, a popular economic development grant for capital costs for small businesses. Co-authored by Representative Robyn Vining and Senator Kelda Roys, the bill provides a permanent $25 million appropriation on an annual basis.
Since its creation in 2021, the program has provided more than 9,400 grants, helping small businesses across all 72 counties in Wisconsin. To promote their new legislation, Rep. Joers joined co-author Sen. Roys in visiting small businesses in the Middleton area, including Mercado Hidalgo, Poppy Home & Gifts, and Tradition Market.
“It’s great to get out into our community and see what local entrepreneurs are doing to breathe life into our main streets,” Rep. Joers said during the visit. “Our state needs to be doing more to provide an infusion of support for small businesses like this to expand into more storefronts.”
Rep. Joers’ legislation would continue the success of providing assistance to small businesses that open or expand into vacant store fronts.
“When main streets are strong, our economy is strong. Small businesses are the backbone of a thriving local community and with programs like this one, Wisconsin can become one of the best places to start a small business in the nation.”
