Art on the Town in downtown Beaver Dam is celebrating winning the state’s Main Street Makeover contest resulting in a reality television style 24-hour makeover of the interior of the business. Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the state’s lead economic development organization, is making a stop in Beaver Dam Monday evening to celebrate the businesses’ reopening. Last fall Art on the Town was announced as one of three winners in WEDC’s eighth annual Main Street Makeover Contest. For winning, owner Kris Schumacher-Rasmussen received personalized design advice and assistance as well as $5,000 toward interior merchandising changes and façade improvements. WEDC’s Main Street Makeover contest is a part of the organization’s broader Wisconsin Main Street program, which is dedicated to revitalizing downtowns and commercial districts in communities across the state. This year, three businesses were awarded a total of $15,000 in state grants as a part of the Main Street Makeover contest. Over the past eight years, the contest has supported more than 15 small businesses and awarded over $100,000.
