Funding

The Building Improvement Grant program helps businesses with the capital costs of renovating retail spaces. We provide grants up to $50,000 for interior and exterior improvements.

The Facade Improvement Grant Program provides matching grants, up to $50,000, to small business owners and tenants to assist them in restoring or beautifying their facades or storefronts.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) defines brownfields as abandoned, idle or underused commercial or industrial properties, where the reuse or redevelopment may be hindered by real or perceived contamination. Brownfields vary in size, location, age and past usage—they range from a closed corner gas station to a vacant industrial plant. These properties present public health, economic, environmental and social challenges to the communities in which they are located.

The Commercial Ownership Assistance Program (COA) helps business owners expand their enterprises by transitioning from renting space to owning commercial property for their establishments. 

The COA program provides forgivable loans, up to $250,000, to support existing businesses in taking the next step toward owning or developing property for their enterprise.

Madison Development Corporation has forgivable loan funds available for growing businesses in the City of Madison's TID Districts. MDC will make recommendations to the City of Madison to lend up to $250,000 to qualifying businesses for the purpose of purchasing real estate, financing real estate improvements, or for purchasing capital machinery and equipment.

Kiva is an international, non-profit, crowdfunding platform for small businesses. Community members lend money to local businesses at 0% interest with no fees. Businesses use the funding as working capital and then pay back their lenders each month. Community lenders can loan as much as they would like, starting at $25. For qualified owners, loans from $1,000-$15,000 will be available through Kiva with the City of Madison matching the amount raised at no cost to the business owner.

Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) is a governmental finance tool that the City of Madison uses to provide funds to construct public infrastructure, promote development opportunities and expand the future tax base.

TIF assistance in Madison is only used when the proposed development would not occur "but for" City assistance. The proposed development should be consistent with and reinforce all City plans and lead to the consolidation and redevelopment of underutilized properties.

These programs are supported in part by financial resources from the City of Madison. The programs often work with (but are not required to work with) your existing bank or credit union.