Business Grants

The Black River Falls Downtown Association helps local business owners enhance their business and the Black River Falls, Wisconsin, area through business improvement grants. As a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Program, our association makes these grants available for the purpose of promoting the historic character of our downtown.

Our mission of downtown revitalization recognizes the importance of maintaining and enhancing the historic qualities of downtown. Grants awarded through this program are intended to encourage property improvements that further this mission.

Grants are to be used for exterior rehabilitation to existing commercial buildings within the Black River Falls Downtown Business Improvement District. Rehabilitations or improvements are to be in accordance with the Association’s Design Guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Compliance will be determined by the Association Board Member.

Grants will provide a business or property owner project funding up to a maximum of $1,000 per project for facade improvements and up to $750 per project for signs and signage. Receipts for expenditures are a requirement for this grant. The Downtown Association is willing to issue payment to the applicant’s vendor if requested. No payments will be made without receipts. Only one grant may be applied per assessed address per application period from March 1 to December 31 annually.

The Association will evaluate each application and may consider the overall condition of the property or need for restoration as a priority over applications.

Building or signage permits may be required by City of Black River Falls. Grant applications should either include a building or signage permit with the application or a letter from the City of Black River Falls indicating no permit is required. Applications will not be approved without this information included. To obtain permits or see if a permit is required please contact the City of Black River Falls.

Grant Applications will be made available from March 1 of each year until the funds have expired.

A limited amount of funding is available under this program and the Downtown Association Board of Directors reserves the right to make awards of limited funds based on the relative merits and positive impacts of the projects. Grants applications may be approved based on the overall benefits of the restoration of downtown Black River Falls. If several projects are under consideration at one time, grant applications will be considered in order that they are received. Grants applications are to be completed on the Downtown Association’s webpage at downtownblackriverfalls.com

Applicants must apply online by use of the Downtown Association’s webpage at downtownblackriverfalls.com. Building owners or their business tenants may apply. Applicants are encouraged to consult with the Downtown Association Board President or designee as their designs are developed. If you cannot or are unable to apply online applicants may get assistance from any Downtown Association Board Member to complete an application. The Black River Falls Downtown Association will not use race, sex, age, or religion as grounds for approving or refusing a grant to an eligible applicant.

Contact us at (715) 284-2503 in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, to apply for one of our business improvement grants.