Governor Announces $4M To Help Kenosha Businesses Rebuild

KENOSHA, WI – Governor Tony Evers announced $4 million in no-interest loan for small businesses that were damaged during recent violence in Kenosha following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Earlier in September, Evers and officials from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) visited Kenosha and met with business owners who said they are facing unprecedented costs to rebuild following the destruction.

With this funding, the maximum loan available to each business will be $50,000 at 0 percent interest. The funds can be used for repair work and operating expenses as well as cleanup, temporary space, payroll and reconstruction.

"We know Kenoshans are working to reconstruct and repair in the wake of devastation, and we want to do everything we can to support the Kenosha Comeback," Evers said in a prepared statement. "I have seen firsthand the resilience of this community, and we are going to do everything we can to be there as they work to rebuild and move forward together."

The WEDC partnered with the Kenosha Area Business Alliance to administer the loans. Any business that has been affected is encouraged to contact the alliance to access the loans.

WEDC's Disaster Recovery Microloan Program was introduced in 2018 and is available to businesses in all 72 counties impacted by man-made or natural disasters declared by state or federal authorities.