Post From Community: Associated Bank, Brewers Community Foundation award $100K to 15 Wisconsin businesses, WWBIC | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kellie Clock
October 6, 2022
Pictured from left: LaDonna Reed, Associated Bank, Kamaljit Jackson, WWBIC, Marjorie Rucker, The Business Council, Inc. and Katina Shaw, Brewers Community Foundation
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Associated Bank and Brewers Community Foundation, the charitable arm of the Milwaukee Brewers™,  have announced a second year $100K program to support minority, women  and veteran-owned businesses through the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) and their newest partner, The Business Council Inc.
Through WWBIC and The Business Council, Inc.,15 diverse small businesses across Wisconsin will receive a second year $5K grant to support their business needs through infrastructure, equipment, website and marketing development. Through the addition of The Business Council, Inc. and continued support of WWBIC, all business recipients will receive enhanced technical assistance and other supportive operations to help their businesses thrive.
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The business recipients include:
Milwaukee
Racine
Kenosha
Madison
Appleton
Associated Bank and Brewers Community Foundation will further collaborate to provide visibility and traffic to these businesses through PR, social media support and in-stadium promotion. The program, now in its second year, will provide the small business owners access to Associated Bank staff who can discuss banking and cash management products, programs and services.
“Throughout the past year we’ve established a great foundation for this program with WWBIC and we are excited to enhance the overall support with the addition of The Business Council, Inc.,” said LaDonna Reed, director of community accountability, Associated Bank. “Associated Bank will continue to enrich the resources and expertise to help businesses recipients thrive in all they do.”
“We are so pleased to support the effort to provide resources and guidance for many of our incredible small businesses throughout the state,” said Cecelia Gore, executive director, Brewers Community Foundation. “Through this partnership, we can focus on helping local businesses continue to grow and prosper.”
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About Associated Banc-Corp
Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $37 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from more than 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. The company also operates loan production offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.
About Brewers Community Foundation (BCF)
BCF harnesses the pride, passion and commitment of Brewers fans, players and other supporters to positively impact the lives of children and their families in the Greater Milwaukee area and throughout Wisconsin. For more than a decade, BCF has generated nearly $50 million to support local non-profits in the areas of health, education, recreation and basic needs. Approximately 200 non-profit organizations receive funding annually through the Foundation’s initiatives. Visit brewers.com/BCF to learn about ways you can join the team that goes to bat for those in need.
About Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is a leading, statewide, innovative economic development corporation “Putting Dreams to Work.” They are AERIS rated and are one of Wisconsin’s first Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI). WWBIC’s primary focus is on women, people of color, lower-wealth individuals, and veterans and military connected families, providing direct lending and access to fair and responsible capital, quality business training, one-on-one technical business assistance and coaching to increase financial wellness. Since 1987, WWBIC has lent over $95 million in micro and small business loans with a current loan portfolio of $24 million and 1,000 loans. WWBIC serves over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners annually.
The Business Council Inc.
The Business Council, inc.is  a 501(c)(3) business membership organization developed specially to focus on cultivating business relationships and opportunities among ethnically-diverse businesses and corporate members www.thebusinesscouncilmke.com .  TBC is the architect of high quality resources, education and tools to assist both ethnically-diverse businesses and corporations through Southeastern Wisconsin. We work to expand economic growth and support business aspirations for all ethnic and diverse businesses in Wisconsin through our advocacy work with the Ethnic & Diverse Business Coalition (EDBC) www.edbcwisconsin.org