Milwaukee County has announced the 10 recipients for the first “Building Bridges” grants from the county to businesses including bars, live music venues, co-working spaces and an escape room.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. gave $200,000 to Milwaukee County to administer $10,000 grants to small businesses around the county.
“Receiving this grant is more than financial support, it’s a vote of confidence in small businesses and the role we play in our communities,” Briana Redmond, owner of The Amani Place, said in a statement Aug. 26.
“With this support, I can complete critical upgrades that will not only help The Amani Place grow in a sustainable way, but also create a more accessible and welcoming destination the Near West Side can be proud of.”
The businesses are:
The Amani Place, City of Milwaukee
Brim Café, City of Milwaukee
Plant Joy Deli, City of Wauwatosa
Cloud 9, City of Milwaukee
Kismet Activations (which owns the bar Summer of ’85), City of Milwaukee
Twelve29 Lounge, City of South Milwaukee
Redacted Escape Rooms, City of West Allis
Uplifting Mansion, City of Milwaukee
The Cactus Club, City of Milwaukee
All Goods, City of West Allis
More: Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley pitches $10K grants to boost small businesses
“It’s an honor to be recognized by Milwaukee County with this grant,” Ali Acevedo, owner of All Goods, said in a statement. “This support not only strengthens our operations today, but also helps secure the long-term sustainability of our business.”
To be eligible for the grant, each business needed to have physical location in Milwaukee County, a letter of support from the local municipality and a letter of support confirming a minimum of six hours of technical assistance from a local community development finance institution such as a chamber of commerce, UW Extension, or the Legacy Redevelopment Corporation.
“Receiving these funds is further confirmation that our evolving project, the Plant Joy Deli, is a good fit for economic development in Milwaukee,” Amberlea Childs, owner and head chef of Plant Joy Deli, said in a statement. “Our deli expansion had been delayed and then restarted, and those few years were long and demanding. This grant will help us at a crucial time of buildout, therefore creating opportunity and instant project resources. We’re beyond grateful to Milwaukee County and super excited to bring tasty and healthy plant-based options to Milwaukee.”
County Executive David Crowley said the grants help businesses get an extra boost.