City of Manitowoc Revolving Loan Fund Program (RLF)
$5,000 to $50,000 for business start-ups and expansions.
The City of Manitowoc Revolving Loan Fund Program (RLF) was created to promote local economic development throughout the community, but with an emphasis on the downtown. It focuses on loan terms that encourage business expansion and attraction, supporting job retention and growth, and strengthening an entrepreneur-friendly environment.
Revolving loans are available for small and emerging private business enterprises for acquisition, construction, rehabilitation/repairs, machinery, and equipment, working capital and operating costs. Creation of one full time job for every $10,000 is the program’s goal.
For more information on Revolving Loans for business start-up and expansion, go to:
https://www.manitowoc.org/2380/Revolving-Loan-Fund.
City of Manitowoc Downtown Facade Grant Program
$1,000-$25,000 grant rebate for exterior improvements
The City of Manitowoc Downtown Facade Grant Program is designed to stimulate private investment in high-quality exterior building improvements that contribute to the overall strength and historic character of the downtown. The Program will provide financial assistance for the rehabilitation and upgrading of building facades. The goal is to restore and or protect the building’s original facade whenever possible. The Program is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant rebated back to the building owner after all improvements and updates have occurred. The rebate has no repayment requirements.
Information on the Downtown Facade Grant Program can be found here:
https://www.manitowoc.org/DocumentCenter/View/30152/Facade-grant-guidelines-?bidId=.
https://www.manitowoc.org/2315/Downtown.
City of Manitowoc Downtown Residential Investment Grant Program
$5,000-$50,000 grant to alleviate barriers to upper story housing
The City of Manitowoc Downtown Residential Investment Grant Program is intended to increase the amount of full-time residential housing units in downtown by stimulating private investment in existing buildings, especially the establishment and upgrading of residential units on upper floors within the downtown. Funds are to be used to address the modern life-safety amenities that are often missing in our historic buildings. These can range from ingress/egress to fire separation/suppression. The Program is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant that rebated back to the building owner after all improvements and updates have occurred. The rebate has no repayment requirements.
For the application form visit:
https://www.manitowoc.org/DocumentCenter/View/32327/Downtown-Residential-Investment-Grant—2021
State Resources
Main Street Bounceback Grant Program
$10,000 for businesses moving into vacant commercial properties.
Grants are available for new and existing businesses moving into vacant downtown or commercial spaces between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022. Funds can be used for a wide variety of business expenses. For more information on how to apply, go to https://baylakerpc.org/mainstreet. Contact Progress Lakeshore at info@progresslakeshore.org or 920-482-0540 for assistance and to obtain the required attestation letter.