May 17, 2017. The opening of the Madison Public Market is still more than two years away, but a program to encourage entrepreneurial minorities, veterans, low-income residents and LGBTQ people to be part of the market has been launched by the city.
Thirty people will be accepted into the MarketReady program that offers consulting services, referrals to financing, mentoring opportunities with other small business owners and micro-financing. Fifteen of the 30 members will also receive $3,500 grants to help with training and small start-up costs. At the end of the two-year program, five of those 15 will be awarded $14,000 toward building out their space at the market, planned for the corner of East Washington Avenue and First Street.
