Program extended through December 31, 2022
New or existing businesses that purchased a vacant commercial space at least 400 square feet in size or began a new lease for such a space between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2022, are eligible for Main Street Bounceback Grants, subject to available funding and underwriting review. Your business will not qualify for grant funds if you are renewing an existing lease or will be vacating a commercial space to move to another.
RCEDC will provide Letters of Acknowledgment to eligible businesses that fit this category, upon request.
To request an application, please visit the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s website here.
To request a Letter of Acknowledgment, please contact RCEDC’s Deputy Director, Laura Million at lmillion@rcedc.org.
The goal of the Main Street Bounceback Grants program is to provide financial support to businesses that move into existing vacant commercial properties, helping to create a foundation for long-term success for themselves and their communities.
The Main Street Bounceback Grants program provides $10,000 to new or existing businesses and non-profit organizations moving into vacant properties in Wisconsin’s downtowns and commercial corridors. Funds can be used to pay leases or mortgages, operational expenses and other business costs related to the newly opened location. New or existing businesses that purchased a vacant commercial space at least 400 square feet in size or began a new lease for such a space between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2022, are eligible for Main Street
Bounceback Grants, subject to available funding and underwriting review. Your business will not qualify
for grant funds if you are renewing an existing lease or will be vacating a commercial space to move to another.
Grant funds are available as part of the American Recovery Plan Act and will be distributed by WEDC’s regional partners. Businesses must apply through the partner organization for the region in which they are located.
Main Street Bounceback Grants are available to for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations meeting the following criteria:
The business is located within the region administered by the regional partner organization to which it applied
The business either is moving into a vacant commercial space or has moved into a vacant commercial space between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022
The business can certify that is has not or will not vacate a commercial space in Wisconsin to become eligible to claim this grant
Businesses are ineligible to apply for the grants if they are:
Part of a national or regional chain, unless the business is an independently owned and operated franchise
A home-based business or property landlord, unless they are moving their business functions into the vacant commercial space
Real estate investment firms that intend to hold the property for investment purposes only
Engaged in any illegal activity under federal, state or local law
Or if they intend to use the space for:
Storage only
Residential purposes
