$140M In Grants Will Aid Wisconsin Tourism, Entertainment

WISCONSIN — Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday that $140 million in grants will go to help businesses and organizations involved in Milwaukee's tourism and entertainment industries hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The money will target business such as live event venues, movie theaters, summer camps, minor league sports teams and the lodging industry, Evers said in a statement.

The American Rescue Plan Act will fund the grants, and the Wisconsin Department of Administration and the Department of Revenue will administer them.

Individuals and business who are interested in grants were encouraged to sign up online to receive more information.

Historical sites and marketing support business will be eligible to receive money as well, the governor said.

Here's how the money will break down.

• $75 million for lodging grants.
• $11.25 million for movie theaters.
• $12 million for live event small businesses.
• $2.8 million for minor league sports teams.
• $10 million for live venues.
• $15 million for destination marketing organizations.
• $8 million for summer camps.
• $1 million for the Wisconsin Historical Society to assist in reopening historical sites.
• $7.5 million to increase marketing support for Wisconsin's tourism industry.

The investments will help local venues and businesses attract visitors from around Wisconsin and the rest of the country now that the pandemic is on the wane, Evers said.