by GCDC | Oct 21, 2022 | News, Programs
Bob Erb, President & CEO of Colony Brands accepts the Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award from Olivia Otte, GCDC Exective Director
Owners Chad Boeck & Gilbert Moore accept the Outstanding Small Business of the Year Award from GCDC Executive Director, Olivia Otte
David Parr owner of Parrfection Produce accepts the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award from Olivia Otte, Executive Director of GCDC
SSM Health Monroe President Jane Curran-Meuli accepts the award for Outstanding Large Business of the Year from GCDC Executive Director Olivia Otte
by GCDC | Oct 29, 2019 | Programs
Do you have a startup or new business (in business 5 years or less) that could use gap financing to grow? Green County Development Corporation can help you achieve your financing goals!
GCDC’s Growth Opportunity Fund loans of up to $100,000 per business are available for high growth startups and emerging growth companies such as advanced manufacturing, agriculture or food processing, information systems or software, medical devices, biosciences and energy.
There is no job creation requirement to be eligible. Financed activities must be located within Green County or within a municipality partially located in Green County. As businesses pay back their loans and interest, that funding will be used to make loans to more businesses (a revolving loan fund).
Interest Rates and Eligible Activities
The rate may be fixed or graduated on a fixed schedule, but the interest rate will never be more than 2 percent above the Wall Street Journal prime rate at the time the loan is issued.
Eligible activities for loan monies include: acquisition of land, buildings, and fixed assets; site preparation and the construction or reconstruction of buildings or the installation of fixed equipment; clearance, demolition, or removal of structures or the rehabilitation of buildings and other improvements; payment of assessments for sewer, water, street, and other public utilities if the provision of the facilities will directly create or retain jobs; and working capital (inventory and direct labor costs only).
Apply Now!
First, contact our local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) business counselors at swwisbdc@uwex.edu to figure out how much money you need and discuss funding sources. Then we can help you work with your local lender to determine how much funding you can obtain in the private market and the amount still needed to start or grow your business (the gap). Your local SBDC business counselor will help you complete your application for the gap funding you need. Applications are then submitted to the Growth Opportunity Fund Committee for review.
Applications may be submitted at any time and will be processed in the order received. For more information, contact GCDC at (608)328-9452 or gcdc@tds.net.
by GCDC | Oct 24, 2019 | Programs
MONROE – Come find out more about Green County’s new Growth Opportunity Fund and how it could benefit your business at a free workshop at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 in Monroe.
The workshop will include important information on how to present a competitive application for the Growth Opportunity Fund, along with insider tips on what the selection committee is looking for.
Green County Development Corporation administers the Growth Opportunity Fund, which provides gap funding to startup and new businesses (in business 5 years or less) in Green County or within a municipality partially in Green County. These businesses could be advanced manufacturing; agriculture or food processing; information systems or software; medical devices; bioscience; or energy. There is no job creation requirement to be eligible. The loan fund may not be used for multi-family housing.
GCDC is raising funds totaling $375,000 from local donations, with a matching $375,000 in funds from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. As money is repaid with interest, funds are lent to help other businesses – a revolving loan fund.
The workshop will be held at the Enterprise Center at Blackhawk Technical College Monroe Campus. The center’s entrance is located on the north end of BTC, across from Alp & Dell Cheese Store.
More information about the Growth Opportunity Fund is available from GCDC at 608.328.9452 or emailing gcdc@tds.net.
by GCDC | Aug 28, 2018 | Programs
Ensure your chance at success by taking 8-week course
MONROE – Want to stack the odds in your favor as you begin or grow your business venture? Plan now to attend the fall Entrepreneurial Training Program, an 8-week course that greatly increases the success rate of participants.
The program, which meets weekly on Tuesday evenings, will cover a wide range of important subject areas. Planned topics include Developing Your Business Model; Getting to Know Your Customer Segment; Understanding Your Industry and Market; Legal Issues in Small Business; Marketing Basics; Human Resources Management; Business Management; Accounting and Record-Keeping; and Obtaining a Bank Loan and Alternative Financing.
Business consultants from the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will lead the training sessions. In addition, area professionals in banking, accounting, law, marketing and other fields will be brought in to share their expertise.
The knowledge gained in the program helps empower entrepreneurs to make smart decisions for their business. Regional statistics show almost 100 percent of those who take entrepreneurial training are still in business after two years – a significant increase from the expected 70 percent. Statewide, 20% of clients using SBDC consulting services start businesses, while 40% of those receiving entrepreneurial training start businesses.
By the end of the eight weeks, participants will have created high-quality business plan suitable for lender presentations under the guidance of SBDC business consultants. They will have also gained valuable networking opportunities with presenters and classmates.
The class meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, from Sept. 18 to Nov. 6. All sessions will be held at the Enterprise Center, 210 4th Ave., Monroe. Attendees may enter through the north door of Blackhawk Technical College, across from Alp & Dell Cheese Store. A graduation ceremony is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Tuition reimbursement is available for qualifying participants. Class members are required to pay a $250 cash match towards the cost of the program, which is $1,000. They can then apply for a $750 tuition reimbursement through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation after completing specific course requirements, including the business plan. The business plan will be worked on during the training program, so little will be left to do by the time the eight weeks are over.
The Entrepreneurial Training Program is co-sponsored by the Green County Development Corporation (GCDC), SBDC, SBA, and Blackhawk Technical College with support from Colony Brands, Duxstad & Bestul and the William S. Knight Foundation. To register, call GCDC at (608) 328-9452 or email gcdc@tds.net.
