MADISON, Wis. — Though state lawmakers have wrapped up the legislative session, the fight to keep a pandemic-era program going isn’t over.
There is a push to help small businesses expand into new or vacant storefronts by making the Main Street Bounceback program permanent through an annual $25 million appropriation in the state budget.
The owner of Copper Ridge Dog Training started the business in her home back in March 2020 with just 300 square feet. However, thanks to the Main Street Bounceback program, she has been able to expand to a 2,300-square-foot facility in Madison.
“Opportunities like this really just give business owners just like, they give you a chance to breathe for a second, and to know you’ve like got the support of the community,” Allison Stoffel explained.
The opportunity also let Stoffel add two new staff and confidently move into her new space in January of 2023—something that seemed unimaginable having started her business amid a global pandemic.
"The grant really allowed us to confidently move into this space,” Stoffel said. “Like I would've jumped, but I would've been very nervous about it. But it gave us the funding to fully fund renovations. It used to be an old woodworking studio, so it was dirty. It needed a lot of work. We had to put up walls and gates and things, so we were able to fully prepare it so I could just move in and worry about like rent, and utilities, and just paying my team well.”
Last December, two Democrats announced their effort to help more people like Stoffel who struggle to get financing the traditional way.
“How can we help revitalize communities in every corner of the state and help small businesses, which we know are the engine of job creation in Wisconsin? This program is effective, it’s proven, it’s a win-win,” State Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, said. “We should keep it going.”
During what Gov. Tony Evers declared the “Year of the Worker,” Democrats have pointed to plenty of success stories from small businesses. The effort seems to be working as the bill did get a public hearing from Republicans earlier this year.
“When we have a successful program that has really big results, 9,400 businesses were able to take advantage of these funds, it’s something that we can really look at as a collaborative win, and that can support everybody in our state,” State Rep. Alex Joers, D-Middleton, added.
Although the floor period appears to be over, lawmakers plan to introduce the bill again in January, likely with bipartisan support from Republicans too.
“You’ve got to separate yourself from party and beliefs, etc., etc., sometimes,” State Rep. Dave Armstrong, R-Rice Lake, said. “But it’s a great way for the state to help leverage a whole bunch of startups throughout the state.”
Startups, including Stoffel’s, that have turned into success.
“This changed everything for us,” Stoffel said. “We’ve been able to do so much more, and there are so many small businesses out there that are trying to do such great work in the community, but they also need that push and that little bit of a boost.”