Earlier this year, LRC was awarded $1 million in funds by the City of Milwaukee to help existing, small, for-profit businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are 100% forgivable for businesses that meet the program criteria.
Thanks to the COVID-19 Relief program, numerous Milwaukee businesses have received much-needed funds, including Gibraltar Industries Inc., a minority, woman-owned building maintenance firm specializing in final construction cleaning, service, and supplies. The company has been in operation since January of 2007.
Owner Shannon Jefferson recalls the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had a lot going on, including contracts for the DNC (Democratic National Convention) and Summerfest, and then everything just shut down,” she said. “I stopped doing business completely and seriously thought about closing permanently.”
Fortunately, a contract offer from JCP Construction and assistance from Terese Caro at LRC helped change Shannon’s mind. “I wanted to take on this new contract and knowing a forgivable loan was available allowed me to figure out how to make things work.”
Today, Gibraltar Industries’ doors are open, employees have been retained, and the company has partnered with a local vendor to provide subcontract services.