Eau Claire Businesses Host Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers was in Eau Claire on Thursday to visit businesses that have received financial assistance through the state.

Governor Evers began his trip at the Black Kettle Tea Shoppe in downtown Eau Claire. The store received $10,000 through the Main Street Bounceback Grant Program, which owner Brianna Vodvarka used to replace windows and make other improvements. The Black Kettle Tea Shoppe is one of 236 businesses in Eau Claire County that have received funding from the grant program. A total of $2,360,000 has been distributed to businesses in the county through the program.

“So sales tax we can follow from small businesses,” said Governor Evers “and it’s clear to me and to our folks at the Department of Revenue that we’re helping the state of Wisconsin also. Not only downtown and what goes on there, but we’re increasing sales tax and that’s an important thing too.”

9,400 businesses into all 72 counties across the state have received funding through the program to expand or move into storefronts. Governor Evers noted that by tracking sales tax, the state is able to measure the effects of the program and he believes it has undoubtably helped revitalize downtown areas across Wisconsin.

Governor Evers also visited 123 Look At Me Learning Center in Eau Claire. Through the Child Care Counts program, the day care center has received nearly $300,000 since March 2020. The money has allowed the center to keep their doors open despite a drop in enrollment through the pandemic. The funding has also allowed the organization to pay their staff more and attract new employees to ensure the children are safe and learning.