Brew City Match announced during a press conference held Monday, June 3, 2019, that it would be making $3.5 million in new funding available to inner city Milwaukee small business owners. Brew City Match is an innovative collaboration whose purpose is to encourage entrepreneurship and commercial growth within the Historic King Drive, North Avenue, Fond du Lac and Cesar Chavez Drive corridors. In addition to loans, Brew City Match also provides grants and business plan assistance to help small business owners start or expand their operation.
Applications for the initial selection process began June 10, 2019. The deadline for submitting proposals is July 10, 2019. Applications are available at https://brewcitymatch.submittable.com/submit. Brew City Match is a competitive process and the organization encourages business owners to apply for the lowest applicable track and progress through the awards in order to have the strongest application and potential for an award. The second round of applications will open February 10, 2020.
Last fall, JPMorgan Chase awarded $3.5 million to the Brew City Match collaborative as part of its Partnerships for Raising Opportunity in Neighborhoods competition, which helps economic development in underserved communities.
During the first round of business development awards, up to 25 entrepreneurs will be awarded with business planning classes, up to 10 entrepreneurs will be matched with space from the building owner track, up to 10 entrepreneurs and landlords will receive $5,000 for design services and up to $300,000 in cash will be made available in the form of loans, and a maximum of 10 businesses will receive $1,000 for marketing support. Any small business located within the designated neighborhoods with a business plan, signed lease or letter of intent, quotes for construction, and funds ready to invest is eligible.
For more information see the Brew City Match website www.brewcitymatch.com, email info@brewcitymatch. com or telephone 414-273-1815