There is a wide variety of services available to assist businesses with start-up, growth and expansion. Listed below are state and local agencies and organizations, with a brief description of what they do and how to contact them.
Select a resource below to go directly to that listing.
Wisconsin Department of Commerce
website: www.commerce.state.wi.us
The Wisconsin Department of Commerce is the state's primary agency for the delivery of integrated services to businesses. Commerce's purpose is to:
Foster the retention and creation of new jobs and investment opportunities in Wisconsin;
Foster and promote economic business, export and community development; and
Promote the public health, safety and welfare through effective and efficient regulations, education and enforcement.
Area Development Managers assist business expansions, promote business retention, and help local development organizations. Using their knowledge of federal, state, and regional resources to provide a variety of information to expanding or relocating firms. They also mobilize resources to help struggling businesses. Local economic development practitioners can turn to area development managers for assistance with long-term marketing and planning strategies.
contact:
Marty Ambros
Wisconsin Dept of Commerce
PO Box 1586, Eau Claire WI 54701-1586
phone: 715-836-2630
email: mambros@commerce.state.wi.us
Wisconsin Dept of Commerce Small Business Ombudsman
website: www.commerce.state.wi.us:80/BD/BD-SBO-index
Wisconsin Dept of Commerce Small Business Ombudsman assist small businesses with state regulations. Visit their website for more information on the monthly Wisconsin Regulatory Alert, the Small Business Regulatory Review Board and information on the type of assistance provided by the Small Business Ombudsman.
contact: Carol Dunn
Small Business Ombudsman
Wisconsin Dept of Commerce
phone: 608-267-0297
email: cdunn@commerce.state.wi.us
Forward Wisconsin
website: www.forwardwi.com
Forward Wisconsin is a unique public-private state marketing and business recruitment organization. Its job is marketing outside Wisconsin to attract new businesses, jobs and increased economic activity to the state.
Forward Wisconsin provides business cost comparisons, building and site locations, financial information and a variety of other business consulting services to prospective expanding businesses. Forward Wisconsin services are provided on a confidential, no- cost basis.
contact:
Jan Alf
Forward WI
201 W Washington Ave Ste 500, Madison WI 53703
phone: 608-261-2508
email: jalf@execpc.com
Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network (WEN)
website: www.wenportal.org
Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network (WEN) provides integrated statewide support to entrepreneurs in all industries and developmental stages. WEN assistance includes: starting a business; finance and accounting; marketing product development; business plans; intellectual property; and competitive research.
contact:
Pat Dillon
Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network
210 Water St PO Box 4004, Eau Claire, WI 54702
phone: 715-836-3636
email: dillonp@uwec.edu
Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
website: www.uwrf.edu/sbdc
The SBDC is a statewide network providing business education services throughout Wisconsin. SBDC professionals analyze the needs of each client and provide a link the knowledge, tools and resources essential for business success.
The SBDC consists of the Lead Center or State Office, which is administered by the unit of Business and Manufacturing Extension at UW-Extension, and a network of service centers located at 12 of the four-year UW institutions.
contact: Steven DeWald, Director
UW- River Falls SBDC
410 S 3rd St, South Hall Room 128, River Falls WI 54022
phone: 715-425-0620
email: steven.e.dewald@uwrf.edu
West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC)
website: www.wcwrpc.org
The West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is statutorily charged with the responsibility of planning for the physical, social, and economic development of the region. To accomplish this mission, the Commission conducts areawide planning and provides technical assistance to local governments.
contact:
Ann Raid
West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
800 Wisconsin St, Ste D2-401, Mail Box 9
Eau Claire, WI 54703-3606
phone: 715-836-2918
email: araid@wcwrpc.org
Northwest Manufacturing Outreach Center (NWMOC)
website: nwmoc.uwstout.edu
NWMOC is a non-profit organization which is part of the national network of centers in the US Department of Commerce's Manufacturing Extension Partnership. It teams University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Technical College System Institutions to assist small and Medium size manufacturers to modernize and streamline their operations.
contact:
Frank Borg
NWMOC - UW-Stout
278 Jarvis Hall
Menomonie, WI 54751
phone: 715-232-1548
email: borgf@uwstout.edu
University of Wisconsin-Extension
website: www.uwex.edu
UW-Extension is the "Wisconsin Idea" -- the people's University connection. Through its programming divisions of Cooperative Extension, Broadcasting and Media Innovations, Continuing Education Extension, and its collaborative relationships with the 26 UW universities and colleges, the 72 Wisconsin counties, and countless local, state, and federal agencies and groups, Extension provides a spectrum of lifelong learning opportunities for Wisconsin citizens. Extension education extends the knowledge and resources of the University of Wisconsin to people by applying university research, knowledge and resources to the needs of Wisconsin people.
St. Croix County UW-Extension Office website: www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/stcroix
County-based Extension educators are University of Wisconsin faculty and staff who are experts in agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, natural resources, family living and youth development.
Extension specialists work on UW System campuses where they access current research and knowledge. Cooperative Extension partners with local, county, state and federal government to address public issues. Faculty and staff plan and carry out programs with a wide array of community partners-- volunteers, business and educational groups and advisors.
contact: Pete Kling
UW-Extension /Community Resource Development
1960 8th Avenue
Baldwin, WI 54002
phone: 715-684-3301 ext 141
email: pete.kling@ces.uwex.ed
St Croix Valley Employers Association (SCVEA)
website: www.scvea.com
SCVEA is a voluntary not-for-profit corporation providing services, salary survey data, information, and networking opportunities to its member employers.
It is the Vision of the St. Croix Valley Employers Association to be a progressive regional organization that assists its member employers in being successful with their individual missions. SCVEA does this by providing low cost - high quality training and services in practices and trends in technology, management and emerging workforce needs.
contact:
Tina Vialzik
St. Croix Valley Employers Association
1019 S Knowles PO Box 186
New Richmond WI 54017
phone: 715-246-5016
email: director@scvea.com
Science and Technology Accelerator Corporation (SciTAC)
SciTAC was formed in the spring of 2004 by a group of St. Croix Valley and River Falls business, government and higher education leaders. SciTAC was established for the purpose of attracting technology-based companies to the Corporation’s accelerator facility in Whitetail Ridge Corporate Park in River Falls, Wisconsin.
SciTAC is a one-stop business resource that provides operating space, shared services, equipment, lab space and business assistance to technology companies that have advanced beyond the R&D and concept product stage.
Development stage companies are invited to launch and introduce their products/services to the market place and to grow their companies in SciTAC’s accelerator facility. SciTAC is committed to assist in the acceleration of tenant company growth plans. (Click here to learn more about SciTAC)
contact:
Jim Letourneau, Board President
Science & Technology Accelerator Corporation
c/o Foley-United Company
393 Troy St
River Falls WI 54016
phone: 715-426-5151
email: jimletourneau@foleyunited.com
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
website: www.score.org
The SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the Small Business Administration (SBA). Working and retired executives and business owners donate their time and expertise as volunteer business counselors and provide confidential counseling and mentoring free of charge.
contact:
West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition (WCWRC)
The West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition provides leadership and coordination to develop passenger rail service through West Central Wisconsin as part of a regional strategy to ensure a balanced transportation system for long-term sustainable economic growth.
contact:
Ray Willoughby, Co-Chair
West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition (more about the Coalition)
c/o Momentum Chippewa Valley,
620 W Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701
phone: 715-579-5242
email: erwilloughby@msm.com
:
Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) and WBA TEAM Network
website: www.wisbank.com
The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) represents 350 financial institutions of all sizes in Wisconsin. The WBA is the states largest financial institution trade association.
contact:
Wisconsin Bankers Association
P.O. Box 8880, 4721 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison, WI 53718
phone: 608-441-1200
WBA TEAM Network
website: http://wisbank.supranet.net/products/tnbusinesses.php
The WBA TEAM Network is a low cost program designed to assist commercial loan applicants. The TEAM staff works with you in the early stages of the creation or expansion of your business. The Wisconsin Bankers Association developed the WBA TEAM Network to help financial institutions across the state to respond effectively to business applicants.
To access the WBA TEAM Network call: 608-259-TEAM (608-259-8326)
Wisconsin Business Development (WBD) Finance Corporation
website: www.wbd.org
WBD is a business lender, and technical assistance firm specializing in economic development lending activities leading to the formation, retention and growth of successful businesses.
contact:
Tom DeLong
WBD Finance Corporation
3610 Oakwood Mall Dr, PO Box 1417, Eau Claire WI 54702-1417
phone: 715-834-9474
email: tdelong@wbd.org
US Small Business Administration (SBA)
website: www.sba.gov
The SBA provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. SBA is the nation's largest single financial backer of small businesses. The SBA also plays a major role in the government's disaster relief efforts by making low-interest recovery loans to both homeowners and businesses.
Wisconsin SBA Office
website: www.sba.gov/wi
The Wisconsin SBA office is responsible for the delivery of SBA's many programs and services to the 72 counties of Wisconsin.
SBA Wisconsin assists several hundred businesses each year by providing financial assistance through the 7(a) and 504 loan programs.
contact:
Wisconsin SBA - Madison
740 Regent St, Suite 100
Madison WI 53715
phone: 608-441-5263 |
Wisconsin SBA - Milwaukee
310 W Wisconsin Ave, Room 400
Milwaukee WI 53203
phone: 414-297-3941 |
Please direct email inquiries to Robin Dittberner at robin.dittberner@sba.gov
St. Croix Valley Angel Network
The St. Croix Valley Angel Network, Inc. operates as an IRS not-for-profit organization with a volunteer board of directors. The network links early stage companies with high net worth individuals ("Accredited Investors") who secure equity positions in the companies. Many of these companies have exhausted their owner's personal resources and need additional funding to grow the business. Most companies have the potential for rapid growth and new job creation.
Equity investments are done on a case-by-case basis. The investment information on candidate companies is only distributed to the network's sponsors - the angels and/or corporate supporters. The St. Croix Valley Angel Network provides a limited screening service so that prospective investors can avoid the need to preview a large number of requests. Strictest confidence is observed on all matters involving the network and its angels.
contact:
Steven DeWald
St Croix Valley Angel Network Inc
410 S 3rd St
River Falls, WI 54022
phone: 715-425-3398
email: steven.e.dewald@uwrf.edu
I-94 Corridor Technology Zone [ more info ]
High Technology Businesses in the I-94 Corridor Technology Zone (Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix Counties) may be eligible for state tax credits, through the Department of Commerce and the Department of Revenue, based on their ability to create jobs and investments that support the development of high-tech industries in the region.
contact: William Rubin
St. Croix Economic Development Corporation
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016
phone: 715-381-4383
email: bill@stcroixedc.com
West Central Wisconsin Regional Loan Fund [ more info ]
The West Central Wisconsin Regional Loan Fund is a flexible source of supplemental financing for businesses expanding or locating in St. Croix County. The purpose is to encourage the creation of quality jobs and to increase the tax base.
contact: William Rubin
St. Croix Economic Development Corporation
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI 54016
phone: 715-381-4383
email: bill@stcroixedc.com
Department of Workforce Development
website: www.dwd.state.wi.us
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is a state agency charged with building and strengthening Wisconsin's workforce. The Department's primary responsibilities include providing job services, training and employment assistance to people looking for work, at the same time as it works with employers on finding the necessary workers to fill current job openings.
Under the DWD umbrella, a wide variety of employment programs can be found including:
JobNet is a searchable Wisconsin database containing current job opportunities that employers have listed with Wisconsin Job Service. Employers can list job openings on JobNet by using JobNet Businsess
Wisconsin Job Centers provide a 'one-stop' service for employers to meet their workforce needs and job seekers to get the career planning, job placement and training services they need to get jobs.
website: www.wisconsinjobcenter.org
e-mail: jobcenter@dwd.state.wi.us
St. Croix County contact:
Aracely Olguin
St Croix Valley Job Center
625 Whitetail Blvd Ste 120, River Falls, WI 54022
phone: 715-426-0388
e-mail: olguia@dwd.state.wi.us
Extended Benefits News Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation and Temporary Supplemental Benefits.
Wisconsin Seasonal Jobs site lists hundreds of seasonal employment opportunities throughout the state.
America's Job Bank is a nationwide place to post your resume or search for a job.
West Central Wisconsin Workforce Resource
website: www.workforceresource.org
WCWWR provides resources for job seekers and employers, and information on training and labor market statistics.
West Central Wisconsin Workforce Resource
401 Technology Drive East, Suite 100
Menomonie, WI 54751
phone: 715-232-1412
St. Croix County contact:
Dave Sharretts
Workforce Resource
625 Whitetail Blvd Ste 120, River Falls, WI 54022
phone: 715-426-0388
e-mail: sharrett@workforceresource.org
University of Wisconsin River Falls Career Services
website: www.uwrf.edu/ccs
410 South Third Street, 24 East Hathorn Hall, River Falls, WI 54022
phone: 715-425-3572
Career Services provides comprehensive planning and job search assistance to UWRF students at all levels of study. Employers who are seeking qualified candidates for permanent positions can:
Arrange an on campus interview; Request an information table in the Student Center; Attend the annual Career Fair (held every October); Submit job openings to an on-line vacancy listing, updated weekly (www.uwrf.edu/ccs under "Employers"); Request referrals from a database of student resumes; and/or View placement statistics for recent graduates.
Employment-related request and inquiries can be directed to Sue Watters at 715-425-3572 or sue.watters@uwrf.edu.
Chippewa Valley Technical College Employment Services
website: http://www.cvtc.edu/Business/Employer/JobPostings.htm
500 Wasson Lane, River Falls, WI 54022
phone: 715-425-3301
services offered: post job vacancies to entire CVTC system; on-campus interviews, annual job fair; placement statistics; resume referral system; internships/co-op education; and customized or on site training.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Employment Services
website: www.witc.edu/jobs/index.htm
1019 South Knowles, New Richmond, WI 54017
phone: 715-246-6561 extension 2417
services offered: post job vacancies to entire WITC system; on-campus interviews, annual job fair; placement statistics; resume referral system; internships/co-op education; and customized or on site training.
