$75M In Grants Goes To Underserved WI Communities

WISCONSIN — Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday that $75 million in grants would go to programs assisting Wisconsin's underserved communities that were disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic has underscored and worsened disparities in underserved communities, particularly for people of color in Wisconsin, the governor's office said.

The investment will be split into two programs: The Diverse Business Assistance Grant program and the Diverse Business Investment Grant Program.

The Diverse Business Assistance Grant program will provide $37.5 million to chambers of commerce and collaboratives that help business owners who are part of communities struggling with the coronavirus pandemic.

The Diverse Business Investment Grant Program will give another $37.5 million to financial institutions to issue grants to businesses with 10 or fewer employees owned by people in said communities.

Black and Latino-owned businesses throughout the nation struggled to find help during the pandemic, Wisconsin Public Radio reported. Small business owners found themselves shut out when seeking emergency loans in spring of 2020, National Public Radio reported.

The grants will encourage more business development for community members and help them navigate an economy influenced by pandemic, the governor's office said.

"We’re working every day to ensure our economy recovers from this pandemic, and part of that means making sure every family, every business, and every community can bounce back,” Evers said in a statement. “These grants will help make sure some of our hardest-hit communities have a fighting chance to rebound and recover while ensuring our state can move forward and build a more prosperous, equitable future.”

Applications are open for a separate $50 million Equitable Recovery Grant program, the governor said. The program is meant to money for community-based organizations that are working to increase equity and eliminate disparities. The Equitable Recovery Grand program is not a part of the $75 million announcement.