Northwest Wisconsin Organizations Receive Small Business Grant

NORTHWEST WISCONSIN – Two Northwest Wisconsin organizations will receive Small Business Development Grants through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

According to a press release, the Ashland Area Development Corporation and the Dunn County Economic Development Corporation are among the ten organizations that will receive a portion of $1.5 million in Small Business Development Grants.

The Ashland Area Development Corporation received a $200,000 grant for its Ground Breakers program. The program seeks to help adults between the ages of 18 and 28 launch trade-related small businesses in fields like construction, electrical, and welding.

Funding from the Small Business Development Grant program will be used to offer group classes and mentoring opportunities, as well as delivering resources and technical assistance in partnership with Northwood Technical College.

The Dunn County Economic Development Corporation received $250,000 for its own grant programs. The organization will provide grants of up to $10,000 for things like rental and technical assistance, as well as matching funding for Downtown Menomonie grants and Economic Development Loan Fund Program grants. Organization officials say they will make the application for the grant funding available to local businesses by September 15.

Dunn County could also see additional business investments if designated as a Historically Underutilized Business Zone. Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation recently announced a formal petition to designate a number of counties in the state as HUBZones.

The designation allows local businesses to access certain federal contracts set aside for HUBZones. Douglas and Sawyer Counties in the Northwest Wisconsin region are among a handful in the state pursuing the designation.