Business & Commercial Property Grants
BID#50
Grants
The Crisol Corridor Business Improvement District #50 Grant Programs are intended to leverage local dollars, as well as support local businesses and property owners in the district and our community. The grants are designed to assist commercial property owners and area businesses with improving the appearance, safety and/or promotion of their businesses, thus improving the overall prosperity of the business community.
Current grants available through The Crisol Corridor Business Improvement District #50:
Available for business or property improvements, which reduce crime, prevent theft/vandalism or improve perceived safety. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Cameras
- Alarms
- Detection devices
- Doors and lighting designed to guard against safety/security hazards
Available for improvements made or applied to the street-facing side of the building or property, which improves the overall appearance of the business to the general public. Examples may include, but are not limited to:
- Graffiti Removal
- Siding/trim repair & replacement (paint, masonry, vinyl, aluminum, etc.)
- Window trim repair & replacement
- Exterior signage (connected to the building and/or standalone)
- Awnings
- Perennial flowers, trees, and shrubbery
- Stone and masonry features (existing building and landscaping)
- Decorative streetscaping (benches, bicycle racks, stone or masonry planters, etc.)
- Decorative fencing
- Exterior lighting
- Other projects that may include a permanent decorative art feature such as fountains, murals, and sculptures will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Available for any marketing costs associated with promoting your business. Examples of projects may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, other social media boosts and advertising
- Signage used to inform customers about offerings, hours, specials, etc.
- Traditional print, radio and television advertising
- Printing costs associated with brochures, coupons, mailers, booklets, etc.
- Mailing costs associated with direct marketing campaign
Please Note that
all grants...
- are directly funded by the Business Improvement District #50 (BID50).
- are processed as matching reimbursements (i.e. each of the following grants provides a dollar-for-dollar match as a reimbursement, up to that particular grant program's maximum amount).
- are awarded on a first come first serve basis and are made available on an annual basis until those funds have been depleted for the calendar year.
- require applications to be reviewed and approved prior to the start of the project.
- will be reimbursed based on proof of expenditure of funds (eg. invoices, receipts, canceled checks, etc.)
- are limited to one grant award per property per calendar year.
Additional Resources through the City of Milwaukee:
The City of Milwaukee has a number of Commercial Revitalization Grants available to businesses within the city of Milwaukee. The following grants from The City can be combined with Gateway BID grants to maximize each dollar you spend.
Please contact Gateway staff if you would like:
- insight on how to best combine/maximize available grants
- help with grant applications
- additional information on the grant process
Signage Grant Program
Provides financial and business assistance to business owners interested in creating well-designed signage or updating their signage to current design standards.
Facade Grant Program
Provides financial and business assistance to businesses and commercial property owners interested in renovating the street-facing facades of their building.
Storefront Activation Grant Program
Designed to provide targeted financial incentives to increase the vitality of the neighborhood commercial corridors. The funds will assist in recruiting new businesses to vacant commercial/retail tenant spaces in commercial buildings.
