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
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.
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.
WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANT
Grants for businesses to upgrade or improve the job-related skills of their full-time employees.
LOCATE IN WISCONSIN
Our comprehensive online site location tool allows brokers, realtors, municipalities and economic development professionals to list available properties throughout the state.
LAUNCH TOOLCERTIFIED IN WISCONSIN
Through this program, partners can list available industrial sites that have met our consistent standards for certification.
VIEW LISTWEDC SUCCESS STORIES
Since its inception in 2004, more than 2,600 entries have been received for the Governor’s Business Plan Contest, with winning companies receiving about $1.7 million in cash and services. Read More
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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
Fork Farms has created a unique hydroponic growing system called the Flex Farm. This technology allows consumers to grow up to 394 pounds of fresh food a year, indoors and in just nine square feet of space. Read More
Read Story
Since its inception in 2004, more than 2,600 entries have been received for the Governor’s Business Plan Contest, with winning companies receiving about $1.7 million in cash and services. Read More
Read Story
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
Fork Farms has created a unique hydroponic growing system called the Flex Farm. This technology allows consumers to grow up to 394 pounds of fresh food a year, indoors and in just nine square feet of space. Read More
Read Story