Lending Institutions

investment partnership created to help fill the gap between the availability of growth capital and the needs of small businesses. The SBA does not invest directly in small businesses, relying instead on the expertise of qualified private investment funds. The SBA licenses these funds as SBICs and supplements the capital they raise from their private investors with access to low-cost, governmentguaranteed debt.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state. It provides resources, operational support and financial assistance to companies, partners and communities in Wisconsin. wedc.org and InWisconsin.com

Regional Economic Development Directors

Regional economic development directors assist businesses by coordinating state resources to promote business startup, retention, expansion and attraction. Companies can find the regional economic development director serving their area at: wedc.org/inside-wedc/contact-us/ #regional

Business Financing

WEDC provides business development loans, tax credits, workforce training grants, entrepreneurial micro-grants, SBIR/STTR matching grants and technology development loans. wedc.org

WHEDA Guarantees

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) programs are flexible commercial loan guarantees designed to help rural and urban small businesses create and/or retain jobs. 800/334-6873. wheda.com

Small Business Guarantee: Owners eligible for WHEDA loan guarantees can purchase or improve land and buildings, including mixeduse properties; purchase inventory or machinery; and/or have access to permanent or revolving working capital.

Neighborhood Business Revitalization Guarantee: Assists developers who are developing or rehabilitating commercial real estate, including mixed-use properties.

Agribusiness Guarantee: Assists small businesses that develop new products or expand the production of existing products using Wisconsin’s raw commodities.

Contractor’s Loan Guarantee Program: Provides new loans or lines of credit to a business entering into a government or other business-related contract.

Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) provides gap financing to area businesses in partnership with participating lenders. 414/269-1440. medconline.com

Second Mortgage Program: Provides gap financing to businesses in the Milwaukee 7 area, with a focus on Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Eligible uses include building purchase, construction, renovation, equipment purchases and installation costs. MEDC can finance 25 to 40 percent of the total cost with at least 50 percent financed by a participating lender and a minimum 10-percent equity injection from the borrower.

Capital Access Program: The Capital Access Program helps lenders fund projects considered too risky for conventional banking. The lender has sole responsibility for structuring the financing. Participating lenders, along with their borrowers and the MEDC, set aside funds to offset any losses in the program. Businesses throughout Wisconsin are eligible for the program.

Milwaukee 7 Capital Catalyst Program: The M7 Capital Catalyst Program provides flexible financing in collaboration with accredited investors in a non-dilutive manner. The funding is intended to increase the ability of emerging companies to access capital.

Local Programs

In addition to the state and federal programs listed above, each of the counties in the seven-county metropolitan area and several of the larger municipalities have their own economic development programs. For more information, please see the listing of websites for local programs on page 57.

Milwaukee County

Milwaukee Department of City Development: Provides financial and technical assistance to businesses seeking to expand or relocate to or within the city of Milwaukee. 414/286-5800. milwaukee.gov/businesstoolbox

West Allis’ Economic Development Program: Provides technical and financial assistance to new and existing businesses. Its Micro-Enterprise Development Program provides special financing and technical training for startup and expanding small businesses. 414/302-8468. westalliswi.gov and fire-nmtc.com

Waukesha County

Menomonee Falls: Low-interest loans for fixedasset purchases, building and site renovations, and working capital. Special economic assistance loans and grants for redevelopment, renovations, exterior improvements and working capital for businesses located in the historic downtown Village Center. Provides access to industrial revenue bonds and assistance with state and federal programs. 262/532-4277. menomonee-falls.org

Waukesha County Center for Growth: Assists existing and prospective businesses with site and building searches, accessing funding, navigating local and county permitting, identifying needed labor force and no-cost business consulting. Companies are eligible for low-interest loans ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. The loan program partners with lenders to help fund projects that add capacity and jobs in Waukesha County. 262/409-2643. waukeshagrowth.org

Washington County

Hartford Area Development Corporation: Markets the 681-acre Dodge Industrial Park and helps companies with funding and resourcing assistance; provides interest-free financing for land purchases in Hartford industrial parks; provides access to city and county revolving fund loans, SBA loans, state economic development funding, conventional financing and communitysponsored industrial revenue bonds. 262/673-7009. hadc.org

Economic Development Washington County (EDWC): An independent economic development organization focused on existing business development consulting, driver-industry business attraction and startup enterprise support. 262/335-5769. edwc.org

Ozaukee County

EDGE Inc.: Promotes economic and business development through the Facade & Sign Improvement Program and Revolving Loan Fund to spur growth and entrepreneurship throughout the Grafton area. 262/377-1650. grafton-wi.org/EDGE

Ozaukee Economic Development: Offers programs and services that meet Ozaukee County’s targeted economic development needs, serves as an information clearinghouse on government programs and provides educational seminars. 262/238-7730. Email: oed@co.ozaukee.wi.us. ozaukeebusiness.org

Racine County

Racine County Economic Development Corp.: An SBA-certified, countywide economic development corporation established in 1983 to support and enhance new business development and increase job opportunities in Racine County. Resources include low-interest loans, workforce training grants, state income tax credits and municipal incentives. 262/898-7444. rcedc.org

Walworth County

Walworth County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA): A public/private partnership that fosters business investment by matching business resources with existing companies or businesses looking to locate in the county. WCEDA promotes workforce development, assists with access to capital, and provides resources for business development. WCEDA is a central point of contact for economic development matters in the county and has strong relationships with local, state, and regional agencies. 262/741-8527. walworthbusiness.com

Kenosha County

Kenosha Area Business Alliance: Provides a range of economic development and business services, manages a portfolio of economic development low-interest revolving loan funds for new and existing businesses, and serves as a clearinghouse for site selection and economic information. 262/605-1100. kaba.org