Employee Ownership Assistance (EOP):
Assists employees of a distressed business obtain the professional services necessary to evaluate the feasibility of purchasing the business and operating as an employee-owned business. For more information, visit:
www.commerce.wi.gov
Major Economic Development (MED) Program:
Assists businesses that will invest private funds and create jobs as they expand in or relocate to Wisconsin. For more information, visit: www.commerce.wi.gov
Neighborhood Business Revitalization Guarantee:
Helps experienced developers or existing business owners obtain financing on favorable terms to stimulate economic development in urban neighborhoods. For more information, visit:
www.wheda.com/cat_sb/nbr_product.asp
Rural Economic Development (RED) Program:
Provides working capital or fixed asset financing for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. For more information, visit: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs
State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB):
This is one of the largest pension funds in the world. SWIB’s staff makes special efforts to explore investments (minimum $3 million) within the state. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce can assist Wisconsin business firms seeking to finance expansions. It works with investors like SWIB, depending upon the financial requirements of the expansion project. For more information, visit:
www.swib.state.wi.us
Tourism Oriented Directional Sign Program:
Provides signs with directional information for qualifying tourist-related businesses, services or activities. For more information, visit:
www.dot.wisconsin.gov/localgov/index.htm
Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation (WBDFC):
This is a private, not-for-profit corporation created in 1981 to assist Wisconsin businesses gain access to capital, create jobs and promote community development. They serve start-up & emerging businesses, established & growing businesses, financial institutions and economic development organizations. WBD is one of the largest Certified Development Corporations in the nation with a loan portfolio in excess of $300 million. For more information, visit:
www.wbd.org/index.cfm
Wisconsin Focus on Energy Business and Industry Programs:
Help businesses reduce operating costs by installing energy efficient equipment – from updating the lighting in offices or barns with more efficient fixtures, to upgrading to a variable-speed drive on vacuum pumps. They seek solutions to energy problems and can help increase profits, reduce energy use and improve productivity. For more information, visit:
www.focusonenergy.com
Wisconsin Fund:
Provides grants to help small commercial businesses rehabilitate or replace their privately-owned sewage systems. For more information, visit:
www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-WisconsinFundProgram.html
Wisconsin Trade Project Program
Helps small export-ready firms participate in international trade shows. The business covers its own travel and lodging expenses. The Department of Commerce can then provide up to $5,000 in reimbursements to a business for costs associated with attending a trade show, such as booth rental, shipping displays or product brochure translation. For more information, visit:
www.commerce.wi.gov/ie/ie-tradeshowgrant.html
