Madison Reporter

Members of the City of Madison Common Council will be embarking on a tour across the city to visit local small businesses and witness the impact of city funding on Saturday, May 4. In celebration of National Small Business Week, these alders will board one of the new all-electric buses to visit several small businesses that have benefited from the various programs offered by the City of Madison’s Office of Business Resources.

District 17 Alder Sabrina Madison expressed her excitement about the upcoming tour, stating, "What better way to celebrate Small Business Week than by going out into the community to visit locally owned small businesses? I'm excited to learn more about the impact of the City's grant programs on these businesses."

Alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses, stating, "Small business is the backbone of Madison. Over the last several years, the owners of the businesses that serve us and our neighbors have had a hard time. It is vital that we share the stories of the entrepreneurs that make our city so vibrant and support them as they continue to grow."

The Small Business FAM Tour will include visits to seven small businesses in six different districts across Madison, showcasing the diversity of the city's small business community. Alders Sabrina Madison and Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford, along with local artist and entrepreneur Rob Dz, will host as emcees on the bus during the tour.

The City of Madison’s Office of Business Resources offers a variety of programs to support local businesses, including grant programs, loan programs, and assistance programs. The tour aims to provide alders with a firsthand look at how these resources impact small businesses in the community.

The tour will kick off at the Madison Municipal Building with a welcome by Deputy Mayor Linda Vakunta, and will conclude back at the same location at 4 p.m. The full schedule includes visits to businesses such as Duncans Dog Daycare, Sash-A-Restoration, Smart Cleaning Solutions, Bombay Bazaar Market, Earthly Temptations, and Just Veggiez.

For inquiries or additional information about the tour, individuals can contact Lorissa Bañuelos, Community Engagement Strategist of the City of Madison Common Council, or Jaymes Langrehr, Public Information Officer of the City of Madison Dept. Of Planning, Community & Economic Development.

The Common Council's mission is to represent the residents of Madison by promoting safety, health, and general well-being, incorporating core values of Equity, Civic Engagement, Well-Being, Shared Prosperity, and Stewardship. Additional information about the Madison Common Council can be found on their website at www.cityofmadison.com/council.