Madison Reporter

The City of Madison’s Economic Development Division is emphasizing its commitment to supporting local businesses during National Small Business Week by showcasing the resources available through the Office of Business Resources.

The Small Business Equity and Recovery (SBER) program, established by the City of Madison, aims to assist small, independent businesses owned by historically disadvantaged individuals. According to a statement, "The City of Madison’s Small Business Equity and Recovery (SBER) program was started to support small, independent businesses owned by historically disadvantaged people."

In 2020, the SBER program provided financial aid in two forms: grants of up to $5,000 for businesses experiencing losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and grants of up to $5,000 to cover the costs of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for employees. This initiative was crucial in aiding struggling businesses during a challenging period, as mentioned by the program, "In 2020, SBER made two types of grants available, offering up to $5,000 to help businesses that had proven losses of $5,000 or more due to the COVID-19 pandemic and up to $5,000 to cover the cost of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for small business employees."

Although the original SBER program concluded with the conclusion of ARPA funding, additional funding has been approved by the City of Madison’s Common Council and the mayor to sustain a modified version of the program. This revised SBER program now encompasses various small business initiatives offered by the Office of Business Resources across the city, as stated by officials, "The City of Madison’s original SBER program ended after ARPA funding ended but the City of Madison’s Common Council and the mayor approved additional funding for a modified SBER program that includes many of the Office of Business Resources’ small business programs throughout the City."

One of the beneficiaries of the SBER program is Sash-A Restoration, a women-, minority-, and veteran-owned window restoration business situated on Atwood Avenue. The company received $1,063 in 2021 through the program, showcasing the tangible support provided to small businesses within the community. In reference to Sash-A Restoration's participation, it was noted, "One of the local businesses that has participated in the SBER program is Sash-A Restoration, a women-, minority- and veteran-owned window restoration business located on Atwood Avenue. The business received a total of $1,063 in 2021 as part of the program."