$5 Billion over 5 years
BMO EMpower is a $5 billion commitment over five years to address key barriers faced by minority businesses, communities and families in the United States. Through lending, investing, giving and engagement in our local communities, BMO EMpower is tackling barriers to inclusion in the financial services industry to create more opportunity for recovery and success.
BMO EMpower is a $5 billion commitment over five years to address key barriers faced by minority businesses, communities and families in the United States. Through lending, investing, giving and engagement in our local communities, BMO EMpower is tackling barriers to inclusion in the financial services industry to create more opportunity for recovery and success.
BMO EMpower is a $5 billion commitment over five years to address key barriers faced by minority businesses, communities and families in the United States. Through lending, investing, giving and engagement in our local communities, BMO EMpower is tackling barriers to inclusion in the financial services industry to create more opportunity for recovery and success.
WEDC Ethnic Minority Grant Now Available
On Friday, May 8th, Governor Tony Evers announced that 1,000 ethnically diverse micro-businesses that have suffered loses due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible to receive grants of up to $2,000 each under a new state program.
The $2 million initiative is focused on supporting ethnically diverse micro-businesses that have not received SBA Paycheck Protection Program or state disaster relief.
The Ethnic Minority Emergency Grants will be marketed and administered in collaboration with Wisconsin's 19 ethnic and diverse chambers of commerce, regional economic development organizations and other partners across the state.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will provide funding for the Initiative.
"WEDC is committed to assisting all businesses - of every size and type - throughout Wisconsin," said WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. "Our work with minority chambers of commerce and businesses is an opportunity to reach a critical sector of our business community."
"The support from WEDC is a huge win for ethnic businesses in the State of Wisconsin," said Marjorie Rucker, Executive Director of The Business Council, Inc. "Formulating partnerships with entities such as WEDC to provide grants to small ethnic businesses in the service, hospitality and retail industry during this crisis shows a real understanding and true leadership of our partners and state leaders."
More information about the program is available from the organizations listed in the FAQ, available here.
View the Governor's full press release here.
Applications will be accepted starting Monday, May 18th and close on Sunday, May 24th, 2020
