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WEDC announces grants after health emergency
covid-19 graphic coronavirus

MADISON — In another step toward assisting small businesses that suffer losses related to the COVID-19 health emergency, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is offering up to $20,000 in grants to targeted borrowers throughout the state. 

The WEDC Board of Directors on Tuesday approved $5 million in funding for the program, which will be known as Small Business 20/20 (SB20/20). SB20/20 will provide grants of up to $20,000 to targeted businesses with up to 20 workers to cover rent and to meet payroll expenses, including paid leave (including sick, family and other leave related to COVID-19).

The grants will target borrowers with loans from the state’s 23 community development financial institutions (CDFIs). In many cases, these borrowers have been unable to secure loans from conventional lenders. Preference will be given to service and retail businesses. The CDFIs will provide the grants directly to their clients. 

CDFIs are specialized community-based financial institutions with a primary mission to promote economic development by providing financial products and services to people and communities underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low income communities. CDFIs include community development banks, credit unions and non-regulated institutions such as nonprofit loan funds or venture capital funds.

WEDC is encouraging CDFIs with a minimum organizational loan portfolio of at least $4 million to participate in SB20/20. In addition, smaller CDFIs are encouraged to work together and apply as part of a collaborative with a combined organizational loan portfolio of at least $4 million, designating one CDFI as the lead applicant/recipient of funds. CDFIs that don’t meet the minimum portfolio size are also encouraged to collaborate with the larger CDFIs to serve their clients. 

More information about the program is available at wedc.org/sb2020. Applications for business assistance must be processed through the CDFIs and not WEDC. WEDC plans to identify the participating CDFIs within the next two weeks.