Milwaukee Business Vanguard

12/30/2025

Today we celebrate the fourth principle of Kwanzaa (UJAMAA--oo-JAH-mah), which emphasizes cooperative economics by supporting one another and building businesses that benefit the entire community and help it thrive. Thanks to a grant from the Governor's Black Business Initiative, funded by Develop America, WHIRE Electric's founder, Jim Gaillard, was able to add to his "fleet" with the purchase of a pickup truck (last month he was able to purchase a van!!!). We thank the Governor and Develop America for this funding, and we thank the community for supporting us!

10/26/2025

07/30/2024

The U.S. Treasury has approved $65 million in funding for 18 Tribal governments under the SSBCI, marking the largest one-time investment for Tribal small business financing in U.S. history.

10/05/2023

Nisbeth said perceptions around underwriting need to change to better appreciate the value of investing in minority-owned businesses.

Ask professionals working in new markets tax credits (NMTC) about the value of investing in minority-owned businesses and instead of arguments about how much has been gained, some may speak of opportunities lost.

09/23/2023

The Wisconsin SSBCI Resource Center is the leading source information on the status of over $80 million allocated to Wisconsin for Business Development.

03/03/2023

Jacqueline Chesser has gone from a small specialty popcorn shop to a larger one, and now she's helping young people with their businesses.

12/11/2022

Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver and master blender Victoria Eady Butler are carving out an ever-growing space for Black female voices in the whiskey world.

03/22/2022

Today Develop America was awarded a grant by the State of Wisconsin to continue our work of creating a more effective and responsive business ecosystem to support Black and minority owned businesses. Damon Dorsey, the Founder of Develop America, could not attend the event. But, in his stead were two Board members, Erbert Johnson and William Sims.

03/01/2022

Art and Culture hub forming on North Avenue in Milwaukee

Melissa Allen will develop home for Bronzeville Center for the Arts.

02/24/2022

“The SSBCI program is one of the most rigorously evaluated programs we have for investing in small business. It leaves a lot of flexibility to regions and states to meet the needs of their business community,” Berkaw said, which means businesses with the greatest need — such as the historically underserved — have a better shot at getting timely access to support. “It’s the flagship investment vehicle the federal government has to invest in small businesses.”

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Biden’s economic legacy — as well as the financial future of America's mom-and-pop businesses.