Heart of Wisconsin
Business & Economic Alliance and
Community Foundation of
South Wood County
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A Joint Initiative Between Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County |
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Links / Resources Visit Nekoosa Visit Rome Visit Rudolph Visit Vesper Visit Wisconsin Rapids Convention & Visitors' Bureau Click here to see the Community Toolbox. Click here to visit Innovative Leadership Australia, supporters of Community Progress Initiative. Centergy Economic Forum At the recent Centergy Economic Forum held on October 17, David Ward, President of NorthStar Economics presented the finding in the regional economic development study, which they completed on behalf of Centergy, the Central Wisconsin Alliance for Economic Development. The study findings indicate a number of opportunities for us in Central Wisconsin. In addition, the study confirms that our efforts in the Community Progress Initiative with our Industry Cluster Teams are on the right track with what we should be doing to be successful in economic development – in fact, it suggests the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance, along with the North Central Workforce Development Board take the lead in coordinating the cluster activity on the regional level. The community has begun to be recognized for the leading-edge approach we make in our economic development efforts. Couple that with the numerous opportunities that the Centergy study points to, which fit how our community is already beginning to grow, and there is no limit to what we can accomplish through our community collaboration and regional partnerships. We are on the edge of what could be our tipping point to “making it happen!” Take some time to read through this study, you will surely learn some new things about our economic opportunities and assets. Click here to read the complete study. Heart of Wisconsin Revolving Loan Fund The Community Progress Initiative, with the assistance of an Economic Development Initiative Special Project Grant through Congressman Obey, has established the Heart of Wisconsin Revolving Loan Fund to assist entrepreneurs to start or expand their businesses. For the Heart of Wisconsin area, this means a boost to the tax and employment base. The Heart of Wisconsin Business Development Fund is designed to be gap financing to assist with filling equity gaps in loan packaging for business development purposes, with a priority on job creation. It is not to be used to compete with private financial institutions. This will be a revolving loan fund which means the original funds are paid back they are available for re-lending to other businesses in perpetuity creating new job opportunities for the area. “With assistance and encouragement from the Revolving Loan Fund Committee, businesses and industry will be able to upgrade, remodel, or expand their present facilities in an effort to increase sales and develop a need for additional fulltime employees or the retention of existing employees,” said Connie Loden, Heart of Wisconsin Executive Director and Revolving Loan Fund administrator. Further goals of the Revolving Loan Fund are: • To encourage the creation and retention of permanent jobs, which provide a competitive wage appropriate to the skills and experience of the local labor force; • To encourage the leveraging of new private investment into the Heart of Wisconsin Area; • To perpetuate a positive and proactive business climate which encourages the retention and expansion of existing businesses and helps to attract desirable new businesses; and • To maintain and promote a diverse mix of employment opportunities. Individuals interested in beginning the application process for the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance Revolving Loan Fund should contact Connie Loden at 423-1830 for more information. |
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