State Leaders Highlight Investments Made in Wausau

Friday, August 26th, 2022 -- 9:00 AM

Yesterday, Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld met with Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg and leaders from the Wausau Chamber of Commerce as well as the Wausau Area Visitors and Conventions Bureau to tour downtown businesses as part of a visit to highlight state investments.

Governor Tony Evers made a combined $18 million investment in Wausau as part of overall pandemic relief efforts, with businesses receiving close to a $10 million investment through American Rescue Plan Act funds, and over $375,000 going to support local tourism. Marathon County received an overall $78 million investment.

“The pandemic took a heavy toll on our local main street businesses but I’m excited to share some of Wausau’s success stories with our state leaders,” said Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg. “Our businesses were able to overcome and even grow thanks to the state and federal relief. We even have some opportunities to collaborate and to further grow our local economy.”

The Secretary-designee participated in a walking tour of several downtown Wausau businesses, including Eboni Fashions, which recently opened thanks in part to a $10,000 Main Street Bounceback grant, and the Mint Café, a Wausau institution that received a combined $25,000 in pandemic relief funding through the Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery and “We’re All In” Grants.

The Grand Theater received a combined $618,000 in overall pandemic relief grants, while the Wisconsin Area Conventions and Visitors Bureau received $375,500 grant through the Destination Marketing Organization grant aimed to support the tourism industry.

Visit BadgerBounceback.wi.gov to view pandemic-related assistance information, as well as the latest data and success stories about how COVID-relief investments are making a difference across the state.

For updates on other recovery-related grant opportunities, sign up for the Badger Bounceback update list.

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