Downtown Grant Program Eyes New Businesses

A public-private partnership hopes to pay big dividends for downtown Antigo.

The city of Antigo, in combination with CoVantage Credit Union and the Langlade County Economic Development Corporation has established a Downtown Antigo’s Entrepreneur Grant Program, with a goal of attracting new businesses to the downtown core.

“The program objective is to enhance the overall economic vitality and character of downtown Antigo by attracting tenants to fill vacant commercial spaces,” Angie Close, director of the economic development corporation, the lead agency for the program, explained.

CoVantage Credit Union, the city of Antigo, and Langlade County each invested $25,000 into the program, for a total of $75,000 available to recipients. Funds may be awarded for up to 25 percent of eligible expenses up to a grant maximum of $15,000. Reimbursements will not be made until the business is open to the public and all paid receipts for eligible expenses are submitted.

All grant applications shall be submitted to the Langlade County Economic Development Corporation’s office located in the Wood Technology Center of Excellence building on the Northcentral Technical College Antigo Campus or mailed to 312 Forrest Ave., Antigo 54409. Qualifying projects will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding allows.

Grant application and details are available on the Langlade County Economic Development Corporation’s website at www.langladecountyedc.org or can be requested by calling Close at 715-623-5123.

From left, Angie Close, executive director of the Langlade County Economic Development Corporation, CoVantage Credit Union President Brian Prunty and Antigo Mayor Bill Brandt are collaborating on a new downtown grant program.

Source: Antigo Daily Journal