MMAC Community Support Foundation launches grant program to assist businesses damaged during protests

Rebuild and Revitalize Program seeded with $500,000 from T&M Partners and Kelben Foundation

MILWAUKEE -- The unjust act that took George Floyd’s life, which was emblematic of the racial inequities that exist in our community, has inspired a movement across the country and around the world. We support passionate and peaceful protests here in Milwaukee.

Unfortunately, several businesses have been damaged in areas such as Martin Luther King Drive, Harambee, Sherman Park and the Near South Side neighborhoods. To help these businesses already distressed by the COVID-19 pandemic, MMAC is launching a grant program through its Community Support Foundation. This grant program has been seeded with an initial $500,000 from T&M Partners and the Kelben Foundation.

“The peaceful demonstrators called out to many citizens as they passed by, ‘walk with us.’ We hear them,” said MMAC Chair Jonas Prising, Chairman and CEO of ManpowerGroup. “We also want to help rebuild the businesses that were damaged and help improve the prospects for African American business prosperity. Thank you to T&M Partners and the Kelben Foundation for taking the lead on this important initiative. We hope this helps seed other contributions.”

The fund will provide immediate short-term grants to recapitalize businesses damaged during the recent demonstrations by helping fund physical repairs, replace inventory and meet other pressing needs.

“Racial disparities are one of the most significant factors preventing the Milwaukee Region from reaching its full potential,” said MMAC President Tim Sheehy. “The business community has a civic responsibility to help change this. In the long term, we will work to make Milwaukee a Region of Choice by uniting companies to share best practices on inclusion and set hiring and advancement goals for employees who are underrepresented in our workplaces.”

In launching this initiative, MMAC is partnering with the City of Milwaukee to help address the needs of these businesses.

“This investment will help not only the businesses that were impacted, but the neighborhoods and residents they serve,” Common Council President Cavalier Johnson said.

MMAC will work with Milwaukee’s Department of City Development to help vet and administer the grants.

Businesses that are interested in applying should take the following steps:

1. First apply for the City of Milwaukee’s COVID-19 Restart Grant Program. The deadline for applying for the city’s grant is rapidly approaching (Friday, June 12 at 5 p.m.)
2. Then apply for the MMAC Rebuild and Revitalize grant by emailing Marjorie Yoshida, at [email protected]
   

Applications should include the following information:

• Name, telephone and email address
  
• Name of the business and address of the damaged business
• Type and extent of the damage

MMAC will work with Milwaukee’s Department of City Development to help vet and administer the grants.

“These recent protests have been almost uniformly peaceful, and have had a galvanizing impact on our community to unite us to create change,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. “To address instances where businesses were damaged, we are very pleased to have MMAC and the business community help get these businesses back on their feet. This is a coordinated effort with City resources, to align these efforts and maximize the impact.”

Added Nicole Robbins, Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corp: “The Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation looks forward to working with the City, MMAC and the King Drive Business Improvement District to make these resources available to our commercial tenants and Harambee community. Whether it’s assistance to repair damage, increased access to funding or drawing in a broader base of customers, Milwaukee’s minority-owned businesses will thrive when they’re supported by our entire community. This is a positive sign that we’re seeing that support.”

Anyone with additional questions can contact Pat O’Brien, President of MMAC’s Milwaukee Development Corporation, at 414-975-1962.

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About the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
Founded in 1861, the MMAC serves as the chamber of commerce for the Milwaukee Region, representing approximately 2,000 member businesses with 300,000 employees. Its mission is to improve Metro Milwaukee as a place to invest capital, grow business and create jobs.
Online: MMAC.org.