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Business Incentives and Assistance Programs |
Wisconsin Department of Commerce has a broad range of programs to help businesses undertake economic development. A sampling of these programs include: Employment Training Programs: Commerce offers several training programs designed to enhance the skills and abilities of a business' workforce. Offered in the form of a matching grant, the Customized Labor Training program has historically been driven by a company's commitment to re-invest in new technologies that necessitate the need for training. However, in addition to the CLT program, Commerce now offers the Business Employees' Skills Training (BEST) Program, which was designed to help small businesses (25 or fewer employees or less than $2.5 million in annual sales) in industries that are facing severe labor shortages upgrade the skills of their workforce. (Industries included Automation, Agriculture/Food Products, Biotechnology, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Medical Devices, Paper/Forest Products, Printing and Tourism) Technology Development Programs: To assist Wisconsin businesses stay on the forefront of technological innovation, Commerce offers a Technology Development program that is designed to assist businesses and entrepreneurs that are researching new technologies, products or manufacturing processes that potentially could have a significant impact. This loan program is designed as a cost sharing program with flexible repayment terms that are keyed to the success of the particular research project. Wisconsin Industrial Revenue Bond Program: Wisconsin's Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) program has more than $200 million available to assist manufacturers with expansion projects through low-interest financing. The Department of Commerce grants the bonding authority to cities, villages and towns to issue the bonds on behalf of a business. Please contact Kathleen Heady, Area Development Manager for Ozaukee County, at (608) 266-9944 or e-mail at kheady@commerce.state.wi.us for more information on the Department of Commerce's services Technology Zone Tax Credit Program: Ozaukee Economic Development is part of an approved technology zone and can authorize tax credits to support projects that involve businesses engaged in research and development or advanced manufacturing. Businesses located in Ozaukee County that meet these eligibility requirements may qualify for credit on their Wisconsin income tax. Contact OED if you have questions about whether a project you are considering would qualify. More information is also available through the Department of Commerce's website. Revolving Loan Fund Programs: There are six Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Programs within Ozaukee County. These programs were established to create employment opportunities, encourage private investment and provide a financing alternative for existing businesses or new businesses. The RLF programs offer interest rates and loan maturities that are designed to encourage business development, while providing for recapitalization and growth of the RLF. More information on the programs is available below. Each program is designed to serve its specific area: For more information on any of these programs, contact Kathleen Cady Schilling at OED (262-238-7730 or kschilling@co.ozaukee.wi.us) U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides loan guarantees that are used in conjunction with bank financing to improve loan terms. The SBA can provide information on authorized micro-lenders that mke loans of $25,000 or less, small business investment companies and certified development corporations that make fixed rate, long-term loans for the acquisition of business assets. Local Incentives: Several Communities within Ozaukee County have local incentives for specific areas within their communities. The Village of Grafton through their Downtown Tax Incremental Financing District has incentives including a facade and sign grant program available. The Village also offers a property write-down for its industrial park. For more information, please contact Mike Rambousek at 262-375-5303 or at mrambousek@village.grafton.wi.us The Village of Saukville The Village of Saukville offers incentives via below-market land prices on acreage ready for development. Additional discounts on direct purchase land sales within its industrial and business parks may be available. All available parcels greater than two acres may be divided to suit. For more information, please contact Brian Biernat at 262-284-9423 or at bbiernat@village.saukville.wi.us The Town of Cedarburg offers a matching grant program for businesses within their Five Corners Business District. The dollars can be used for facade improvements or landscaping. The program is offered annually and is a competitive program. For more information on the program, contact Jim Culotta at 262-377-4509 or at jculotta@town.cedarburg.wi.us For more information from other OED communities
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