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Committee approves $105,372 MKE Community Excellence Fund allocations for 2025 events
Summary
The committee adopted a substitute resolution increasing the MKE Community Excellence Fund allocation slightly, approving $105,372 for 2025 public events and community initiatives including Brownsville Week, Black History Month and other neighborhood festivals and programs.
The Community and Economic Development Committee approved a substitute resolution to authorize spending from the MKE Community Excellence Fund for 2025 events and initiatives, increasing the previously proposed amount and allocating $105,372.
Alderman Mark Chambers introduced the proposed substitute amendment B, which raised the total allocation from $101,500 to $105,372. Chambers and Alderman Coggs were listed as co-authors of the measure. Committee members described a range of funded events and initiatives that receive matching funds from the Excellence Fund and outside sponsors.
Fund purpose and examples: Committee members and co-sponsors said the fund supports neighborhood-level events and citywide celebrations that they said have community-development and public-safety benefits by fostering engagement. Examples discussed on the record included:
- Entrepreneurship/Business Summit: An annual free event offering panels and workshops supporting small-business owners and prospective entrepreneurs. Committee members said several hundred residents attended the most recent summit. - Black History Month programming and Power Hour networking events: A monthlong recognition program culminating with a city-hall program (Feb. 25 at noon) and evening networking called Power Hour. - Girls Day at City Hall: Workshops and scholarships for middle- and high-school girls during Women’s History Month; the council awards a Val Phillips Trailblazer honor at the event. - Brownsville Week (Bronzeville): An eight-day arts, culture and commerce festival the sponsors said has grown into a regional draw and, they said, has supported economic development in that neighborhood. - Second District Back-to-School Festival: A resource-heavy event providing backpacks, health screenings and other services; sponsors reported thousands of attendees and large giveaways in prior years. - Hispanic Heritage Month events, Silver City International Festival, Pot of Gold (human-trafficking awareness luncheon), Ninth District business conference and Hip Hop Week programming.
Funding and process: Committee members emphasized the Excellence Fund is matching in nature and requires outside sponsorships. Alderman Cox and others described the fund’s origin and how relatively modest city grants can leverage larger benefits in neighborhoods.
Action taken: Alderman Chambers moved approval of proposed substitute B to increase the FY2025 total allocation; the motion carried with no objections recorded and the file was ordered approved. Committee members requested that staff ensure any non-whole-dollar remainder allocations be handled in file documentation.
Why it matters: Supporters said small, targeted investments in events can increase foot traffic, spotlight neighborhood businesses, provide youth programming and create opportunities for residents to access services. Committee supporters described prior evaluations that suggested temporary decreases in violent crime around some community events in prior local studies.
Ending: With the committee’s approval, the MKE Community Excellence Fund will disburse matching grants and sponsorship allocations throughout 2025 for the listed events; sponsors and staff will continue to coordinate event budgets and reporting to the council.
