The BID offers two successful matching grant programs to assist businesses with façade improvement grants and sign and awning grants.
Façade Improvement Grant Program for B.I.D. property owners and businesses in the district. The program offers matching grants up to $10,000 to business and property owners completing B.I.D. approved exterior building repairs and renovations. The purpose of the program is to stimulate exterior building repairs of existing commercial buildings in the district. The program is intended to produce positive, visible changes that impact the entire Hartland community.
Sign and Awning Grant Program offers matching grants up to $750 for new commercial signs and awnings.
Additional programs offered to BID businesses:
Business Loan Pool Program offering low interest loans for BID members.
Sandwich Board Sign Grant offering $50 toward the purchase of a sandwich board sign that meets Village requirements.
Education Certificate Grant offering $500 toward the completion of four small business courses at Waukesha County Technical College.
Co-Op Advertising Grant Program offers up to $300 per business for print, online, tv & radio advertising.
Additional Resources for COVID-19:
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
Steps you need to take to protect employees. Not industry specific, but many links to other OSHA guidelines, including existing standards f you should follow.
US Chamber of Commerce
Business Opening guidance: https://www.uschamber.com/article/state-by-state-business-reopening-guidance
You can access the current status of each state’s opening and the guidelines they are following. Useful if you have suppliers, vendors or family and friends outside our community. https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/small-business-coronavirus-reopening-guide
A step by step guide for small businesses preparing to reopen. It is an easy read but can be used as a checklist of every step you need to take. Valuable links that provide additional background on a particular topic.
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
CLICK HERE to read about the Act passed by Congress to assist business owners in needs they have right now.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
To apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan, click here.
SBA Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by coronavirus/COVID-19. Small businesses in the hospitality and food industry with more than one location could also be eligible if their individual locations employ less than 500 workers.
SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for 8-24 weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.
The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through August 8, 2020.
To apply for the Paycheck Protection Program, click here.
WEDC Small Business 20/20 Grant Application
The goal of the Small Business 20/20 program is to support small businesses and micro-enterprises adversely economically impacted by COVID-19. Click here to learn more.