Withee Business Receives Red Letter Grant
Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 -- 8:46 AM
-The Red Letter Grant awarded $13,000 last week to 12 businesses throughout western Wisconsin that were impacted by COVID-19 and one business in the start-up phase.In May, the nonprofit launched a Red Letter Relief Fund that aimed to support existing women-owned businesses impacted by COVID-19, but that may have fallen through the cracks of federal or state relief aid. The relief fund gave priority to minority owned businesses, applicants who are BIPOC or members of the LGBTQA community. Last week, the program awarded 11 grants for $1,000 to several businesses including Be Fit with Mi, Community Crust, Dairyland Cafe, Damsel, Dragonfly Studios, Inspired Balance, Jennifer Joyce Designs, La Dee Dah, Lana’s Scoops, Lift Bridge Yoga and To the Point Acupuncture. “When COVID came and we were forced to shut our doors our season was just starting. Even though I had no income coming in, I still had operating costs to keep lights on, coolers running, etc. and I was too small for a PPP loan. I am so blessed to have been selected for the Red Letter Grant because the grant money will go a very long way in covering those costs while I had to be closed,” said Lana Bohl, owner of Lana’s Scoops, an ice cream shop in Withee. "The Relief Fund I received from RLG came in at the right moment when I was pivoting my business to an online model in response to the pandemic and needed help on marketing. This grant will help me revamp my website as well as getting the words out about my new service. I am so honored and thankful for this opportunity,” said Mi Sullivan, owner of Be Fit with Mi, a personal trainer in Eau Claire.
The Red Letter Grant program is primarily focused on supporting businesses in the start-up phase, but pivoted to serve existing women-owned businesses just for this period. RLG did award one start-up grant this period to Eau Claire-based Uplift Counseling Center in the amount of $2,000. Uplift Counseling is a newly opened Eau Claire therapy clinic focused on serving children & adolescents, veterans, and trauma victims. Sara Bowe is a veteran, former ECASD teacher, and UW-Stout graduate who plans to use these funds to develop a play therapy room, purchase software and to use towards marketing. Bowe worked with our regional SBDC to develop her business plan. The practice is cash based and offers sliding fee scale services. “This opportunity allows Uplift Counseling Center the ability to provide affordable mental health services in our community. We will be using the funding to create a play therapy room that supports the counseling needs of children and adolescent clients. Funding will also allow us to continue to provide confidential Telehealth services across the state,” said owner Sara Bowe. In addition, Red Letter Grant has curated over 14 free, virtual workshops throughout April and May to provide technical assistance and build skill sets for small business owners working to adapt to the changing economy.
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