Lt. Gov. Rodriguez checks in with businesses who received grant funds

Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez was in Medford on Tuesday to check in with three area businesses who received funds through a COVID-era program to promote business redevelopment.

The businesses received $10,000 grants through Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Main Street Bounceback Grant Program.

Rodriguez noted what is exciting about the grants is the flexibility in how they were put to use by businesses and entrepreneurs around the state.

Locally 38 area businesses received the grants with Billie Hartwig of the Medford Area Chamber of Commerce serving as a point person to assist the businesses in applying for the grant.

Adam Rodman of Stronger Version Fitness praised Hartwig and the chamber for their help. Stronger Version Fitness received one of the grants and used it for equipment and renovations. He gave Rodriguez a tour of his facility and spoke to about how he has grown the business to having more than 800 members and his plans for future growth.

Rodriguez also stopped and talked with Anthony Meyer of California Dreams Hot Rod & Custom shop which does automotive restoration. He explained he used the funds from the grant to help with the remodeling needed to convert a former furniture store into a body shop. He noted he has seen a steady increase in demand and is currently booking into 2025 for people to get work done.

Luke Gasek of Lake 11 Brewing told Rodriguez how he used the funds from the grant to help with the purchase of equipment for the micro brewery located in a former furniture store on Main Street. He also spoke of some of the other projects that are ongoing along Main Street and of the importance of businesses to support one another.

Rodriguez noted that in her travels around the state, Main Streets are once again becoming vibrant places for people to go and for the business community, something that was boosted by the grant program.