Wisconsin’s Main Street Bounce back Grant Program, designed to help communities fill vacant buildings in commercial areas and spark new businesses, was introduced in Manitowoc a little more than a year ago in The River Point District. On Tuesday. WEDC Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer Sam Rikkens returned to Manitowoc to visit several businesses that took advantage of a $10,000 grant to help them move into a previously vacant commercial space. He tells Seehafer News,
“More than 25 businesses across Manitowoc have taken advantage of a $10 thousand investment. These are entrepreneurs who are starting new businesses or expanding. I was excited to be joined by city leaders to pay a visit to some of those businesses.”
One of the businesses visited by the delegation was Manitowoc Coffee at 706 York Street. Co-owner Pete Stemper says he was grateful for the assistance from the state saying.
“This has helped in buying some new equipment and keeping the place running. This grant helped us move forward into our current location.”
Mayor Justin Nickles says small businesses are the backbone of The Clipper City.
“If you look at businesses in Manitowoc that are thriving today. they all started as small businesses. With a little help and support not only from the local community, but from state and local government especially in today’s age of inflation and after COVID, it’s especially important that these dollars flow into these small businesses.”
Visits were also paid to Sabbatical Brewing on South 29th Street and Wrap-it-Up on South 8th.
Governor Evers has allocated $100 million that will assist 10 thousand small businesses and non-profits in Wisconsin.
