DeForest grants split between local businesses; Parkview says it needs full award to proceed

At the March 2, 2026 meeting of the DeForest–Windsor Small Business Grant Review Commission, commissioners approved splitting DeForest’s available small-business grant funds between two applicants and heard that another applicant would not proceed without a full award.

Alex Allon, Village of DeForest CDA Executive Director, summarized three DeForest applications. Daniel A. Paulson (dba Parkview Office Building) requested $10,000 for work at 120–138 West Holum Street and Allon said the applicant would not move forward unless it received the full requested amount. The Sage Apothecary, LLC requested $10,000 and indicated it would proceed even if it did not receive the full award; Commissioner Jessica Zander asked whether the property owner approved proposed building changes, and Allon said a property-owner-approval clause would be included in any agreement. Jim’s Paint, LLC requested $11,480 and said it would proceed even if it did not receive the full award.

Commissioner Jean Mancheski moved to split the DeForest allocation ($10,000) equally between The Sage Apothecary and Jim’s Paint, with the explicit condition that property-owner approval is required for The Sage Apothecary’s proposed building changes; the motion also specified that if the property owner does not approve, 100% of the funds will be awarded to Jim’s Paint. Commissioner Tom Spitz seconded; the motion carried 4-0.

Allon and Rybarczyk also provided brief updates on businesses that accepted 2025 grant awards in DeForest and Windsor, respectively. The commission adjourned at 10:35 a.m.