MILWAUKEE – In recognition of National Small Business Month, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley hosted a roundtable discussion with small business owners and support organizations to share insights, highlight challenges, and explore opportunities to activate vacant storefronts, create jobs, and uplift small businesses throughout the community.
“We know small businesses are the backbone of Milwaukee County’s economy, but we also know that entrepreneurs continue to face significant barriers – from accessing capital and navigating permitting processes to finding affordable commercial space and building sustainable customer bases. That’s why conversations like this are so important,” said County Executive Crowley. “By promoting efforts like my Building Bridges Program, we are connecting entrepreneurs with technical assistance, funding opportunities, and community resources that can help turn vacant storefronts into vibrant businesses. Together, let’s continue working to create jobs for residents and strengthen local economies across Milwaukee County.”
The conversation was part of County Executive Crowley’s Building Bridges Program that provides technical support and resources to small businesses across Milwaukee County to enhance economic development and commercial corridor activation efforts. The goal is to increase available resources to establish or expand brick-and-mortar businesses in Milwaukee County.
“Small businesses aren’t just valuable as drivers of our economy, they are the building blocks of our community: job creators, third spaces, and filled with our friends and neighbors,” said Celia Benton, Director, Milwaukee County Economic Development & Real Estate Services. “I’m grateful to the many people and organizations that work tirelessly to lift up our small businesses around Milwaukee County.”
The roundtable was hosted at Uplifting Mansion, which was awarded $10,000 in grant funding as part of the Building Bridges Program. In total, County Executive Crowley has awarded $10,000 grants to 20 small businesses across Milwaukee County. Though this effort, the program has leveraged over $4 million in small business investments across Milwaukee County, supporting over 120 jobs in the process.
“There is real struggle and real joy in activating a historic building, and both have lived inside these walls. The Building Bridges Program helped us cross a critical threshold in turning our space into an accessible destination that now serves artists, entrepreneurs, and neighbors every single day. When we invest in spaces like this, we are building the kind of Milwaukee that people want to stay in, grow in, and be proud of,” said Deanna Singh, Owner, Uplifting Mansion.
For more information on the Building Bridges Program, please visit the website.
