Downtown Improvement Incentive Programs

Shawano is enjoying a revitalization of the downtown business district. The revitalization includes decorative streetlights, signage, picture frame sidewalks and landscaped parking lots. Many businesses have also renovated their old, architecturally interesting buildings to reflect the important roles they played in the development of the City.

There are various economic assistance programs that may be used to promote business expansion in downtown Shawano.

Incentive Programs

• BID Facade Improvement Grant Program
•  City Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund

These programs support development of a productive business environment, generate new jobs and encourage preservation of its important architectural heritage.

Downtown Shawano Business Improvement Grant Program

Is your building ready for a new look? The Shawano Business Improvement District (BID) offers a grant program available to eligible businesses in the Business Improvement District. As a business/property owner, you can submit an application for a grant of up to fifty (50%) percent of the eligible costs of the project.  The maximum grant will be $5000.00 which will be reimbursed to the business owner upon satisfactory completion of the project.  To be eligible for grant funds, the business owner must provide a minimum of 50% of the total project cost in the form of a BID grant.
 
The improvements must meet established program design guidelines.  For further information, please contact:  
 
City Administrator's Office
Shawano City Hall
127 S Sawyer Street
Shawano, WI 54166
Phone: 715-701-8908

Or:

Shawano County Economic Progress, Inc. (SCEPI)
1263 S Main Street
PO BOX 35
Shawano, WI 54166
Phone: 715-526-5839
www.shawanoecondev.org 
 

Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund

Applications may be submitted by the sole proprietor or Chief Executive Officer of any business wishing to establish a new operation or expand an existing operation in the City of Shawano.

Program loans shall be available to eligible applicants for the following activities:

• The acquisition of land, buildings, and fixed equipment
• The site preparation and construction or reconstruction of buildings
• Clearance/demolition, or rehabilitation of buildings
• Working capital (inventory and direct labor costs only)

To be eligible for funding, the proposed project must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

• The applicant must leverage a minimum of 1 dollar ($1.00) of private funds for every 1($1.00) of loan funds requested.
• At least 1 full-time permanent position must be created for every $20,000 of program funds requested.
• The applicant must demonstrate that the proposed project is viable and the business will have the ability to repay the funds.
• The project will create or retain permanent employment.
• Applicant shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and codes.
• Projects shall be completed within 24 months from the date of the loan approval.

For more information or to obtain application materials contact:

City of Shawano Administrator's Office
Shawano City Hall
127 S Main Street
Shawano, WI 584166
Phone: 715-701-8908

Or:
Shawano County Economic Progress, Inc. (SCEPI) 
1263 S Main Street
P.O. Box 35
Shawano, WI 54166
Phone: 715-526-5839
www.shawanoecondev.org