Business Resources Financing Growth

FEDERAL

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) sba.gov

STATE

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) wedc.org

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) wheda.com

MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Milwaukee Department of City Development (DCD) city.milwaukee.gov/dcd

Milwaukee Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) medconline.com

Wauwatosa Economic Development Department wauwatosa.net

West Allis Department of Development westalliswi.gov

OZAUKEE COUNTY

Ozaukee County Economic Development ozaukeebusiness.org

RACINE COUNTY

Racine County Economic Development Corp. rcedc.org

WALWORTH COUNTY

Walworth County Economic Development Alliance walworthbusiness.com

Milwaukee’s strong financial sector makes it easier for small, medium-size and large businesses in Southeast Wisconsin to secure the loans they need to expand, improve productivity and increase their market share. Several financial institutions have major operations in the region, including Associated Bank, BMO Harris, Chase, The Equitable Bank, First Citizens, Johnson Bank, Landmark Credit Union, Old National, PNC, Summit Credit Union, Tri City, US Bank, UW Credit Union and Wells Fargo. Federal, state and local government agencies also have programs to help businesses expand.

Private Equity

Private equity funds usually take an ownership stake in a company in exchange for their investment, then give the entrepreneur an opportunity to buy back their ownership stake at a later date. Private equity funds obtain money from a variety of sources. Some, such as those operated by bank holding companies, are internally funded. Other equity funds are funded by corporate or individual shareholders. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) makes venture capital available through its Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), which operate much like venture capital funds.

WASHINGTON COUNTY Economic Development Washington County edwc.org

Hartford Area Economic Development hadc.org

WAUKESHA COUNTY

Waukesha County Business Alliance waukesha.org

KENOSHA COUNTY

Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA) kaba.org