Brady Street BID Joins Connect Communities Program
Milwaukee's Brady Street Business Improvement District #11 is among three Wisconsin communities added to the state's downtown revitalization program this fall.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Brady Street Business Improvement District #11 was accepted into the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's Connect Communities Program this fall. The Village of Mazomanie and Neenah also joined, bringing the program's total to 100 participating districts.
Why it matters
Access to the program's resources and training can support downtown and commercial corridor revitalization efforts in Milwaukee's Brady Street area. Participating communities across the state have reported business, job, and investment growth since the program's launch.
Since launching in January 2013, Connect Communities participants have reported more than 1,100 net new businesses, 5,600 jobs, and over $5 billion in private investment. The figures are self-reported by participating communities, and the source does not break down results by district.
The players
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
WEDC is the state's public-private economic development organization that administers the Connect Communities Program and related business support services.
Kiva
Kiva is a nonprofit crowdlending platform that connects individual lenders with borrowers, and it provides matching loan dollars to businesses in participating districts.
The details
The program offers online networking, Main Street workshops, on-site visits from WEDC community development staff, and training for downtown directors, board presidents, and municipal staff. Businesses in participating districts can also access matching loan dollars through the Kiva crowdlending platform.
Timeline
January 2013: Connect Communities Program launched.
Fall 2026: Brady Street BID #11, Village of Mazomanie, and Neenah joined the program.
Market Landscape
The addition of three communities brings the Connect Communities Program to 100 participating districts statewide since its January 2013 launch. The expansion reflects continued state investment in downtown and commercial corridor revitalization across Wisconsin.
Brady Street businesses and property owners can use the program's workshops, training, and Kiva-linked loan access to support local revitalization. Shoppers in the district may see changes as participating communities pursue their near-term goals.
The takeaway
Business owners and community leaders in Milwaukee's commercial districts can explore Connect Communities resources to strengthen local revitalization efforts. Programs like this one are most useful when districts define clear near-term goals from the start.
Further reading
For more on new storefronts and shutters across the city, see Milwaukee Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Urban Milwaukee.
