The City of Madison’s Economic Development Division is highlighting the programs and resources offered to local business owners through the Office of Business Resources as part of National Small Business Week. One of these programs is the Small Business Equity and Recovery (SBER) program, which was created to support small, independent businesses owned by historically disadvantaged people.
In 2020, the SBER program offered two types of grants: one for businesses that had proven losses of $5,000 or more due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and another to cover the cost of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for small business employees. Although the original SBER program ended after ARPA funding ran out, the City of Madison’s Common Council and mayor approved additional funding for a modified SBER program that incorporates many of the Office of Business Resources’ other small business programs.
The success of the SBER program is evident in its ability to provide support to businesses in need during challenging times. For example, Sash-A Restoration, a women-, minority-, and veteran-owned window restoration business located on Atwood Avenue, received a total of $1,063 as part of the program in 2021. This funding has helped the business continue operating during these difficult times and will undoubtedly play a role in its future success.
