MADISON — The State of Wisconsin is investing another $100 million of CARES Act money in businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
The money includes an additional $50 million for the “We’re All In Grants,” an economic grant program overseen by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. More than 26,000 businesses have received grants, issued earlier this year, according to Gov. Evers' office.
Another portion of the $100 million will go towards lodging and tourism, live music and performance venues, cultural non-profits and privately owned movie theaters.
The grants are broken down as follows:
- Over $50 million of $5,000 'We’re All In' Grants will go to 10,000 Wisconsin small businesses. The first phase of the program invested more than $65 million in grants for more than 26,000 businesses statewide. This round of 'We’re All In Grants' will prioritize businesses most impacted by the pandemic, including restaurants and taverns, hair and nail salons and barber shops, and other services. It will be administered by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue in partnership with WEDC. Learn more at revenue.wi.gov.
- $20 million will go to the Wisconsin lodging industry. Last year, visitors to the state spent $3.7 billion on lodging, but recent reports show that up to two-thirds of all Wisconsin hotels face closure within the next year without additional support, according to the governor's office.
- $15 million for live music and performance venues throughout Wisconsin.
- $10 million to privately owned movie theaters.
- $10 million for non-profit cultural venues.
- $4 million for destination marketing organizations and tourism drivers.
