STRENGTHENING MINORITY BUSINESS GROWTH
WEDC works collaboratively with other agencies, corporations and nonprofit minority business associations to provide financial and operational assistance, resources and statewide networking opportunities to minority entrepreneurs and business owners.
Hundreds of businesses each year are served by WEDC, including the Latino Chambers of Commerce, the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, the Hmong Chamber of Commerce and First-American Capital Corporation, the business financing arm of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin. By working with minority business associations and their partners, WEDC helps support the attraction, development and growth of diverse companies in Wisconsin.
WEDC PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES
ARPA TRAINING
This series of trainings provides materials and information related to internal control functions and grants management pursuant to Uniform Guidance.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM
Loan program primarily for small businesses that have limited access to standard types of debt or equity financing, particularly in rural areas of the state.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT
Refundable tax credits for companies remaining, expanding or relocating in Wisconsin.
CERTIFIED SITES PROGRAM
Consistent standards developed for Wisconsin sites consisting of at least 20 contiguous, developable acres signaling that key approvals, documentations and assessments for industrial uses are already in place.
CYBERSECURITY MATTERS!
A series of informational videos to help diverse and small businesses understand cybersecurity threats and take the first steps to protect their operations.
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY ZONE
Non-refundable tax credits for new and expanding businesses in the cities of Beloit, Janesville and Kenosha to assist with capital investment and the creation and retention of new, full-time jobs.
ENTERPRISE ZONE TAX CREDIT
Refundable tax credits for companies undertaking major expansion projects in, or relocating major business operations from other states to, Wisconsin.
INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS
A unique type of revenue bond organized and issued by a state or local government, the proceeds of which are directed to a private, for-profit business.
SMALL BUSINESS ACADEMY
Watch recordings from the four-day virtual conference occurring on May 2-5, 2023.
WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANT
Grants for businesses to upgrade or improve the job-related skills of their full-time employees.
SIZEUPWI
An easy-to-use tool designed to help small and mid-sized businesses understand relevant insights on local competitors, consumers, advertising hotspots, suppliers, and much more.
LAUNCH TOOLMARKETPLACE WISCONSIN
The Governor’s Annual Conference on Diverse Business Development connects business owners seeking to do business with state, federal and local governments as well as the private sector.
VIEW WEBSITEWEDC SUCCESS STORIES
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Rising Queens is a nonprofit grassroots organization with a mission to provide equitable resources to the low-income community by eliminating barriers to help create self-sustaining lives. Read More
Read Story
Smartcare Software simplifies record-keeping for home health caregivers, keeping families better informed, improving patients’ results, and reducing employee turnover rates. Read More
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Reams of data support the fact that women entrepreneurs are not as likely to get funded as their male counterparts. Madison’s Doyenne Group aims to flip this script and provide resources to female entrepreneurs and innovators to help set them...
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