MILWAUKEE - To celebrate Small Business Month, Associated Bank Foundation and the Brewers Community Foundation(TM), the charitable arm of the Milwaukee Brewers(TM), have announced a fourth year $100K program to support minority-, women-, LGBTQ- and veteran-owned businesses through the Ethnic and Diverse Business Coalition (EDBC) and The Business Council, Inc.
Through EDBC and The Business Council, Inc., 15 diverse small businesses across Wisconsin will receive grants to support their business needs through infrastructure, equipment, website and marketing development. All business recipients will also receive enhanced technical assistance and other supportive operations to help their businesses thrive.
Associated Bank Foundation 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 fourth year, will provide the small business owners access to Associated Bank staff who can discuss banking and cash management products, programs and services.
This program is a part of Associated Bank's triannual Community Commitment Plan (CCP). The CCP, now in its fourth installment, details the company's ongoing dedication to creating more equitable access to financial resources for low- to moderate-income and minority customers and communities. Since 2016, the CCP and its corresponding programming has contributed $9 billion to underserved communities across Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.
"We are pleased to welcome another trailblazing class of diverse small business recipients into this strong program with EDBC and The Business Council, Inc.," said LaDonna Reed, director of community accountability, Associated Bank. "Small businesses play an essential role in creating vibrant communities, and Associated Bank is committed to providing resources and expertise to help these historically underserved businesses prosper."
"We are thrilled to partner once again to provide resources and guidance to many of the impressive small businesses throughout the state," said Cecelia Gore, executive director, Brewers Community Foundation. "In the past three years we've seen how the small businesses in this program flourish, and we are so proud to contribute to the program's success."
"We are honored to work with Associated Bank and Brewers Community Foundation by supporting 15 businesses throughout Wisconsin that need technical assistance and access to capital," said Marjorie Rucker, executive director of The Business Council, Inc. and chair of the EDBC. "These funds help these businesses to be a part of an economically-inclusive environment. In the past, respective ethnic or diverse business communities have often been marginalized from participation. Partnerships like this help to change the narrative as we move forward to build a stronger economy statewide."
Business recipients will be honored at an in-game check presentation at American Family Field on May 28, as the Milwaukee Brewers(TM) face the Chicago Cubs.
The business recipients include:
Appleton:
* Uni Uni Bubble Tea, Fannie Xie
Green Bay:
* Weeya Calif, Weeya Michelle Calif
Madison:
* Anthony Construction, LLC, Raymundo Navarette
* Just Veggiez, James Bloodsaw
Milwaukee:
* AJ Development Group, Kelly Jackson
* Ampaw & Associates, Mark Ampaw
* Camareros Enterprises LLC, Victor Hugo Camarero Carmona
* Clearcut Solutions Concrete Sawing and Drilling, Quinn Long
* Davis Seasonal Maintenance, Rikki Sczesny
* Oh Snap! By Shell, Rochelle Einsiedel
* Rise & Grind, Babonnie Tatum
Racine:
* A&H Cleaning Services, Hugo Hernandez
* Chemtech Engineering Inc, Megan Harper
Sussex:
* Z's Personal Limousine Service, Robert Zolicoffer
Waukesha:
* GBF Bespoke Balloons and Event Services, Andrew Sawyer
ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $41 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 nearly 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 more than $55 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 ETHNIC & DIVERSE BUSINESS COALITION AND 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 ethnic and diverse businesses and corporate members www.thebusinesscouncilmke.com . TBC is the architect of high quality resources, education and tools to assist both ethnic and 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) http://www.edbcwisconsin.org/.
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ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP 
