River District

Downtown Wausau

Business Assistance

Good business resources are essential to the success of any business. As a Wisconsin Main Street Community, downtown Wausau receives approximately $125,000 in on-site visits, training and technical assistance from the State of Wisconsin. This assistance includes an on-staff architect & small business specialist. Please contact Manager Dawn Follendorf with questions about these services at 715-845-1328.

Sign Grants

Sign grants are available through the River District office. Sign grants are offered to enhance the image of the community as well as the business to which it is associated.

Amount:

  • Grants are available for fifty percent of the cost of the sign up to a maximum of $500.

Restrictions:

  • Signs must comply with the recommendations provided in the guidelines.
  • The sign must be the primary business sign.
  • Sign can be new or it can replace an existing sign that is not currently in compliance with the established guidelines.
  • Application must be submitted for a grant.
  • All applications must be reviewed and approved by the Design Committee.

Sign Grant Application (PDF)

Design Assistance

The River District Main Street Wausau Program can provide free professional design assistance. This includes recommendations on appropriate facade renovations including paint, color, signs, windows, awnings, masonry and drawings of proposed work.

Other services include recommendations based on budget considerations and building's historical qualities as well as guidance on how to proceed with the project. One-on-one consultation with a Design Specialist is also available. Contact the River District at 715-845-1328 for assistance or for additional information.

Small Business Counseling

Free, confidential, one-on-one counseling is available from the Wisconsin Main Street Program. It is available to prospective and existing business owners and covers all aspects of owning or operating a business--from start-up questions to long range planning.

The service is available to businesses that are operating successfully as well as those having difficulty. In fact, the best, most progressive businesses are always looking one or more steps ahead. Just one good idea for a new product or service, one market assessment to help you make a better informed decision, or one new technique for managing your business could make the difference in becoming more profitable.

Why not take a fresh look at your business by utilizing this confidential outside assistance? It is available at no charge and could give your business the boost you are looking for.

Retail Promotions

Coordinated promotions held annually to attract customers / tourists / residents to area retail outlets. Cooperative advertising programs to expose your business to customers on an affordable basis.

Additional Tools

Top 10 Reasons to Locate your Business Downtown

  1. Wausau's central business district is a prominent employment center
  2. As a business center, Wausau's downtown plays a major role
  3. The downtown is a reflection of how a community sees itself
  4. A significant portion of Wausau's tax base comes from downtown
  5. The central business district is an indispensible shopping and service center
  6. Wausau's storied downtown is the historic core of our community
  7. Our downtown represents a vast amount of public and private investment in our community
  8. A central business district is a major tourist draw
  9. Wausau's downtown is the center of our local and county government
  10. Our downtown provides a sense of community and pride