Doing Business In Downtown Madison
Bring your business to Madison's Central Business Improvement District (BID).
Wondering what a BID is? Check this FAQ.
Business Directory
Madison’s Central BID is home to more than 350 unique businesses. Review the entire list of businesses located within Madison’s Central BID. Explore the full business directory.
Commercial Real Estate
Find a home for your business in Downtown Madison. View our available commercial property.
Business Resouces
Various resources from the City, State, Federal Government, and area business support groups to help you start and grow your business.
Market Data
Downtown Madison offers a thriving market for your retail, restaurant, entertainment or service business, in a top-ranked place to live, work and prosper.
A Safe Place
Downtown Madison is a vibrant, safe community with low crime and active, engaged neighborhood police officers. Madison’s Central BID staff continuously work with area partners to help increase the health and well being of our community members.
A Scenic Place
Set on an isthmus between two scenic lakes, Madison’s Central Business District encompasses the heart of downtown Madison, where the famed State Street pedestrian mall links the Capitol square, seat of Wisconsin state government, to the University of Wisconsin campus.
A Thriving Place
The central downtown is home to more than 1,500 businesses–from shops, boutiques, and restaurants to financial, law and communications firms–plus museums and cultural destinations. The Business Improvement District includes more than 350 shops, galleries, restaurants, night spots, and entertainment and service businesses, from national brands to locally owned.
A Place to Live & Work
The central downtown serves a thriving residential market, with nearly 12,000 housing units housing 35,000 people, as well as the University of Wisconsin campus with 42,000 students and 18,000 faculty and staff.
Downtown Madison is also host to nearly 45,000 employees.
A Connected Place
Located in south Central Wisconsin, Madison is just off Interstates I-90, I-94 and I-39, with easy driving access from Milwaukee (90 minutes), Chicago (2.5 hours) and Minneapolis (4.5 hours). Dane County Regional Airport offers non-stop service to many major US cities.
A Place to Visit
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, the University and downtown hotels offer top-notch meeting and convention facilities, with nearly 3,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of central downtown. In total visitors spend more than $300 million annually.