Gov. Tony Evers secures federal HUBZone designations for several counties, census tracts

WISCONSIN (CIVIC MEDIA) – Gov. Tony Evers announced that his administration has successfully secured designations for four counties and four census tracts as a Historically Underutilized Business Zone, or HUBZone, following his petition to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in July.

HUBZones provide critical opportunities for local businesses to grow and compete in the federal marketplace. This designation adds to the network of HUBZones represented across the state and is aimed at driving economic revitalization, job creation, and small business growth in some of the state’s most rural and economically challenged communities.

According to a news release, the governor’s petition to the U.S. Small Business Administration helped secure a HUBZone designation for Dunn and Waushara counties, and re-designation for Florence and Sawyer counties, along with four individual census tracts in Douglas, Grant, Green and Wood counties to support small businesses in areas in and around Monroe, Superior, Platteville and Wisconsin Rapids. The SBA’s HUBZone program allows businesses in disadvantaged communities to compete for federal set-aside contracts, offering employment and growth opportunities where they are most needed for positive economic impact.

HUBZones are assigned based on economic and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal agencies, using definitions established by the U.S. Congress. This designation allows small businesses in the affected regions to gain preferential access to federal contracting opportunities – a critical tool for stimulating local economies.

An interactive map of Wisconsin’s HUBZones can be found at the Small Business Administration’s website.