www.CalumetBusiness.com, Calumet County, WI Economic Development

General Financial Resources

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The following are known general financial resources and links available to businesses. For technical assistance be sure to see our Technical Assistance page.

If you are a farm operator or minority, be sure to check out the Farm Financial Resources and Farm Technical Resources pages. If you are also a minority, in addition to these general resources, please refer to the Minority Financial Resources and Minority Technical Resources pages.

[ Local Loan ] [ State Grant ] [ State Loan ] [ Federal Loan ] [ Tax Credits ] [ Tax Deduction ] [ Workforce Development ] [ Loan ] [ Loan Guarantee ] [ Microloan ] [ Angel and Venture Capital ] [ Financial Assistance ] [ Transportation ] [ Environmental Regulation Assistance & Programs ]

Local Loan

CALUMET COUNTY REVOLVING LOAN FUND -- Offers low interest loans for real estate, working capital, and equipment based on the number of jobs retained or created. The Calumet County Revolving Loan Fund may also used in conjunction with the City of Brillion and the City of New Holstein Revolving Loan Funds. Contact Kelly Nieforth at (920) 849-1493, extension 790.

CITY OF BRILLION REVOLVING LOAN FUND -- Offers a low interest loan for real estate, working capital, or equipment based in part upon the number of jobs created or retained. For more information call Wayne Volkman at (920) 756-2250.

CITY OF BRILLION ZERO INTEREST LOAN PROGRAM -- The City of Brillion created the Brillion Revitalization Zero Interest Loan Program! The program provides up to $8000 per property address, to commercial property owners and/or merchants for exterior building and site improvements. Facade restoration projects within the downtown commercial district are priority projects, but there are not exclusions for commercial properties. Download the manual to find out if your business property qualifies. For more information you may also contact Wayne Volkman at (920) 756-2250.

City of Chilton Business Park Revolving Loan Fund -- The City offers a 5 percent interest loan to offset costs to develop property inside the city’s business park. Loan amount contingent upon development and amount in loan fund. Contact the city’s Development Director for more information at (920) 849-2451.

City of Chilton Central Business District Revolving Loan Fund -- The City offers property owners the opportunity to apply for a $50,000 loan at 2 percent interest to complete taxable improvements to properties located in the city’s two central business tax incremental finance districts. Contact the city’s Development Director for more information at (920) 849-2451.

CITY OF NEW HOLSTEIN REVOLVING LOAN FUND -- The City of New Holstein Revolving Loan Fund offers low interest loans for real estate, working capital, and equipment based upon the number of jobs created or retained. For more information contact Mike Stutz at (920) 898-5766.

State Loan WI COMMERCE: ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION LOAN (EDL) -- Provides low interest loans to existing businesses interested in establishing or expanding operations in Wisconsin. Applicants can receive up to 75% of eligible costs. The actual award is based upon the project’s viability, the number of jobs created or retained, and the extent to which the project will help diversify the local economy. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

WI COMMERCE: ECONOMIC IMPACT LOAN (EIL) -- Provides low interest loans to existing Wisconsin businesses interested in modernizing or improving their operations. Applicants must demonstrate that they have been affected by gaming and have a comprehensive business plan that describes the proposed project. The actual award amount is based upon the project’s viability, number of jobs created or retained and the project’s economic impact on the community. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

WI COMMERCE: EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM -- Can help a group of employees purchase a business by providing individual awards up to $15,000 for feasibility studies or professional assistance. The business under consideration must have expressed its intent to downsize or close. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

WI COMMERCE: INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS (IRB) -- A means of financing the construction and equipping of manufacturing plants and a limited number of non-manufacturing facilities. The municipality is not responsible for debt service on the bonds, nor is it liable in the case of default. The bonds are also exempt from federal income tax. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

WI COMMERCE: MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (MED) -- Offers low interest loans to assist significant new or business expansion projects that will create or retain significant numbers of jobs. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498- 6302.

WI COMMERCE: RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MICROLOAN PROGRAM (RML) -- Designed to provide working capital or fixed asset financing for rural businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

WI COMMERCE: SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) AND SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS -- The SBIR and STTR programs are highly competitive federal programs that encourage small businesses to bring innovative technologies to market. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, hi-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs. Contact Cheryl Gains at (608) 261-7721 or by email at TechLine@commerce.state.wi.us.

WI COMMERCE: TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAM (TDF) -- Helps Wisconsin businesses research and develop technological innovations that have the potential to provide significant economic benefit to the state. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

WI COMMERCE: TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM (TDL) -- Helps Wisconsin businesses develop technological innovations that have the potential to provide significant economic benefit to the state. This program is designed to help the businesses commercialize the new technology. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

State Grant WI COMMERCE: EARLY PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM (EPG) -- Makes individual awards to help individual entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Wisconsin obtain the professional services necessary to evaluate the feasibility of a proposed start up or expansion. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

WI COMMERCE: ECONOMIC IMPACT EARLY PLANNING GRANT (EI-EPG) -- Offers matching grants that can cover up to 75% of project costs - up to $3,000 - to help entrepreneurs and small businesses obtain professional services to develop a comprehensive business plan. A business plan is necessary to receive funding, as well as to attract private financing. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

WI COMMERCE: ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM (ETG) -- A pilot program designed to help individual entrepreneurs and small businesses with a grant to help cover a portion of the cost of attending the Small Business Development Center’s New Entrepreneurial Training Course or other Department of Commerce sanctioned local business training programs. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

Federal Loan USDA: BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY LOANS -- The US Department of Agriculture offers direct and guaranteed loans for businesses in rural areas through the Business and Industry Loan program. Loans may be used for working capital, machinery and equipment, real estate, and certain types of dept financing. For more information contact the Wisconsin State Office at (715) 345-7615.

Tax Credits IRS: DISABLED ACCESS TAX CREDIT -- For American with Disabilities Act (ADA)-related expenses in existing facilites a tax credit of up to $5000 may be used for business that have revenues less $1,000,000 or fewer than 30 employees. For more information contact 1-800-514-0301.

TECHNOLOGY ZONE TAX CREDITS -- A program designed to provide tax credits to businesses engaged in research, development, or manufacture of advanced products. The program also provides tax credits to knowledge-based operations or any business that uses advanced technology production processes, systems or equipment in traditional manufacturing operations. Contact Kelly Nieforth (920) 849-1493, extension 790.

Tax Deduction IRS: IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY TAX DEDUCTION -- The Internal Revenue Service offers a deduction of up to $15,000 for ADA compliant improvements made to improve handicap accessability throught the removal fo any architecture or transportation barriers. This tax deduction may be used in combination with the disable access tax credit listed under tax credits. For more information call 1-800-514-0301.

Workforce Development WI COMMERCE: BUSINESS EMPLOYEES SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM (BEST) -- A Wisconsin Deparment of Commerce program that helps small businesses and industries that are facing severe labor shortages upgrade the skills of their workforce. Businesses must have 25 or fewer employees and sales less than $2.5 million to qualify. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

WI COMMERCE: CUSTOMIZED LABOR TRAINING PROGRAM (CLT) -- Provides training grants to businesses that are implementing new technology or production processes. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

Loan IMPACT SEVEN, INC. GREATER WISCONSIN FUND -- Impact Seven has assembled a group of revolving loan funds from public and private sources to create the Greater Wisconsin Fund. This fund is designed to assist growing companies to start-up or expand in Wisconsin communities. Typical clients are small- to mid-sized manufacturing firms, while high-tech firms are a priority. Loans from this fund are generally from $35,000 to $1,000,000, while Impact Seven has put together financial packages of several million dollars for projects with strong financial outlook, high growth potential, social impact, and job creation. Impact Seven can help you obtain financing from additional sources to make the project happen, should the situation warrant it. Contact 1-608-251-8450 or e-mail impactseven@ameritech.net.

Loan Guarantee SBA: LOAN GUARANTEE -- Provides loan guarantees that are used in conjunction with bank financing to improve loan terms. The Administration can provide information on authorized micro-lenders that make loans of $25,000 or less, and certified development corporations that make fixed rate, long term loans for the acquisition of business assets. Contact US Small Business Administration at their Madison office at (608) 441-5263, or their Milwaukee office at (414) 297-3941, or your local bank’s commercial loan officer.

WHEDA: NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS REVITALIZATION GUARANTEE -- Assists businesses and developers purchase or improve land, buildings, or machinery and equipment. Program is intended to stimulate economic development in redeveloping urban neighborhoods in communities with populations greater than 35,000. Contact the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority at 1-800-334-6873.

WHEDA: SMALL BUSINESS GUARANTEE -- Can be used for expenses of land, buildings, equipment and inventory associated with the expansion or acquisition of a small business of 50 or fewer employees. This program can finance a mixed use project if the business occupies at least half of the building. Contact (Madison office) 1-800-334-6873, (Milwaukee office) 1-800-628-4833, or e-mail info@wheda.com.

Microloan IMPACT SEVEN, INC. MICROLOAN PROGRAM -- Impact Seven is an intermediary for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) MicroLoan Program, an alternative loan program providing technical assistance and loans of up to $35,000 to new and expanding small businesses. Generally, if you are the owner of a for-profit small business in Wisconsin, you are eligible for this program. Contact by phone at (608) 251-8450 or by e-mail impactseven@ameritech.net.

SBA: MICROLOAN -- Provides short-term loans of up to $35,000 to small businesses and not-for-profit child-care centers for working capital or the purchase of inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery and/or equipment. Proceeds cannot be used to pay existing debts or to purchase real estate. The SBA makes or guarantees a loan to an intermediary, who in turn, makes the microloan to the applicant. These organizations also provide management and technical assistance. The loans are not guaranteed by the SBA. The microloan program is available in selected locations in most states Contact US Small Business Administration at their Madison office at (608) 441-5263, or their Milwaukee office at (414) 297-3941, or your local bank’s commercial loan officer.

Angel and Venture Capital NEW VENTURE FUND -- The New Venture Capital Fund was created in 2006 with an investment of $10 million dollars from the New North Region. The fund’s goals are to target 12 businesses within northeast Wisconsin in the next 5 years with investments up to $1 million per venture. For more information contact General Partner Charlie Goff at (920) 731-5777.

WI COMMERCE: ACCESS TO CAPITAL ELECTRONIC NETWORK (ACE-NET) -- A nationwide, internet-based listing service that provides information to angel investors on small, dynamic, growing businesses seeking $250,000 to $5 million in equity financing. Sponsored by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration and is operated in Wisconsin by the Department of Commerce. Contact Cheryl Gain at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (608) 261-7721.

WISCONSIN ANGEL NETWORK -- The Wisconsin Angel Network (WAN) was created to build angel network capital capacity throughout Wisconsin in order to increase the number and amount of seed-stage equity investments in Wisconsin companies. The Wisconsin Angel Network is a bridge between angel financing and entreprenuers.

WISCONSIN CAPCO PROGRAM -- Intended to increase investment in venture capital funds into small business enterprises, that have traditionally had difficulty in attracting institutional venture capital. Contact Cheryl Gain at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (608) 261-7721.

Financial Assistance WI COMMERCE: STATE OF WISCONSIN INVESTMENT BOARD (SWIB) -- Is one of the largest pension funds in the world. SWIB’s staff makes special efforts to explore investments (minimum $3 million) within the state. Commerce can assist Wisconsin business firms seeking to finance expansions. It works with investors like SWIB, depending upon the financial requirements of the expansion project. Contact Dennis Russell at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (920) 498-6302.

WISCONSIN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION -- Specializes in economic development lending and finding creative financial solutions to capital needs. Finds appropriate and affordable financing for start-up and growing businesses. Contact the Oshkosh office at (920) 231-5570.

Transportation WI DOT: FREIGHT RAILROAD INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM -- Awards loans to businesses or communities wishing to rehabilitate rail lines, advance economic development, connect an industry to the national railroad system, or to make improvements to enhance transportation efficiency, safety, and intermodal freight movement. Contact Ron Adams (608) 267-9284.

WI DOT: TRANSPORATION PROGRAMS -- The Department of Transportation has many funding opportunities and programs that can help businesses and communities.

Environmental Regulation Assistance & Programs RECYCLING DEMONSTRATION GRANT PROGRAM -- Helps businesses and local governing units fund waste reduction, reuse, and recycling pilot projects. Contact JoAnn Farnsworth (608) 267-7154.

WI COMMERCE: BROWNFIELDS INITIATIVE -- Provides grants to persons, businesses, local development organizations, and municipalities for environmental remediation activities for brownfield sites where the owner is unknown, cannot be located or cannot meet the cleanup costs. Contact Jason Scott (608) 261-7714.

WI COMMERCE: PETROLEUM ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP FUND -- Reimburses property owners for eligible clean up costs related to discharges for petroleum tank systems. Contact Lori Huntoon (608) 261-7732.

WISCONSIN FUND -- Provides grants to help small commercial businesses rehabilitate or replace their privately owned sewage systems. Contact Jean Joyce (608) 267-7113.

WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE -- WPS offers programs and resources to strengthen businesses including:

WPS can provide information on how to handle business specific energy costs, eqwuipoment advice, strategic energy managment, energy analysis, and provides training opportunities.
Real WIN-WIN - A reputable company that specializes in finding energy-efficiency incentives — to help our customers find the dollars they need. For a fee, RealWinWin will research your project, find incentives, file all paperwork, and make sure you receive cash back in a timely manner. RealWinWin's fee is collected only if you receive an incentive. It's as easy as filling out a form.
Export Success - Global markets offer tremendous opportunity. This program, co-sponsored by Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, the Wisconsin Department of Development, the International Center at St. Norbert College, and an international business consultant, has helped many businesses with their international sales efforts.
Government Procurement Seminars - Government is a large purchaser of many products and services. These seminars, offered in conjunction with the Wisconsin Procurement Institute, explain the intricacies of doing business with both state and federal agencies.
Manufacturing Assessment Assistance - In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and area technical colleges, we help businesses design and implement continuous improvement programs by putting them in touch with resources that have specific expertise in manufacturing processes. In some cases, we provide financial assistance on a cost-sharing basis.
Quality Certification Assistance - Besides improving competitiveness, quality certifications like ISO-9000 can open doors for business worldwide. Working with expert resources, we can assist our business customers in getting the training and certifications they need.
Assistance in Developing Business Plans - A good business plan does more than provide direction, define goals and measure progress. It's also required when arranging financing. We use our experience and knowledge to help companies develop comprehensive, effective business plans on a cost-sharing basis.
Company Expansion Loan Assistance - Under certain circumstances, we participate with other lenders to assist companies in arranging financing, interest note buydowns, and loan guarantees, for business expansions.

Contact Gary Delveau at gdelvea@wpsr.com or by phone at (920) 433-1105 for more information.