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 Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, 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.
MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Initiatives include revolving loan funds offered through minority business associations and an annual conference that is the state’s premier event for minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses.
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
MARKETPLACE, the state’s premier gathering for minority, woman and veteran business owners, brings together current and aspiring business owners with service providers and buyers and is growing each year. Read More
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V-Glass has leveraged assistance provided by Wisconsin into federal grants totaling over $1.3 million to develop its game-changing insulated window technology. Read More
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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
MARKETPLACE, the state’s premier gathering for minority, woman and veteran business owners, brings together current and aspiring business owners with service providers and buyers and is growing each year. Read More
Read Story
V-Glass has leveraged assistance provided by Wisconsin into federal grants totaling over $1.3 million to develop its game-changing insulated window technology. 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