MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County has announced new programs to help small businesses and workers as they continue to struggle amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The "Small Business Initiative Grant" program seeks to help businesses negatively affected by the pandemic, while the "Community Resource Navigator Employment" program hopes to get unemployed county residents back to work.
The business program is open to local business owners facing "immediate financial emergencies" due to COVID-19. Grants will be awarded to qualified businesses.
Priority will be given to business owners that include a letter of support from a member of the Ethnic & Diverse Business Coalition, a group of chambers of commerce supporting entrepreneurs of color, women, LGBT and veteran-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically under-served places, according to County Executive David Crowley.
Grants will be made in amounts ranging from $7,500 to $20,000.Click here to learn more, and apply for, the business grants.
Milwaukee County also invested $3.5 million in the "Community Resource Navigator Employment" program, which aims to add 275-300 "employment opportunities," according to a news release.
Both programs are funded by money allocated by the CARES Act last July.
“The relief programs we’re rolling out today couldn’t come at a better time as gridlock continues to stall the second round of federal aid," Crowley said in the release.
"We have an opportunity to invest in equity by offering aid to diverse small businesses without access to large cash reserves or reasonable business loans. We know that businesses and workers that power the economy in Milwaukee County can’t wait – they need help now," according to Crowley.
